Thinking About Selling? The Best Time to Call Your Realtor Is Sooner Than You Think
One of the most common questions I hear from homeowners here in the East Valley goes something like this: "David, I'm thinking about selling — but I'm not ready yet. Should I wait to call you?"
My answer is always the same: call me now. In fact, the earlier you loop in your real estate broker, the better off you'll be — financially, logistically, and mentally.
After 30+ years in the Phoenix metro market, I've watched countless sellers leave money on the table simply because they waited too long to have that first conversation. Here's why early communication with your realtor is one of the smartest moves you can make.
Your Realtor Can Tell You What Actually Matters
Most sellers assume they need to fix everything before putting their home on the market. New paint throughout the house. Updated appliances. Brand-new flooring. The list gets expensive fast — and a lot of it may be completely unnecessary.
When you bring in your realtor early, they can walk through your home and give you an honest, market-informed assessment of what buyers in your price range actually care about. Some things will matter. Many won't. And some of what you're planning to spend money on may not return a single dollar in added sale price.
This kind of guidance is invaluable — and it's something you simply can't get if you call your realtor two weeks before you want to list.
Some Improvements Take Time — Especially Landscaping
Here's a reality of selling a home in Arizona that a lot of people overlook: some of the most impactful improvements can't be rushed.
Curb appeal is everything in this market. Buyers make decisions before they even get out of the car. And if your front yard or backyard landscaping is patchy, bare, or overgrown, it can seriously dampen the first impression — no matter how beautifully updated the interior is.
If your backyard could use new plantings, ground cover, a desert garden refresh, or even some sod in key areas, those projects need time to establish. A newly planted bougainvillea or desert willow that's had six months to fill in looks dramatically better than one that went in last week. Grass needs to root and thicken. Shrubs need time to shape up.
That's why the earlier you start the conversation, the better. If we identify landscaping as a priority in January, you have time to get it done well before a spring or summer listing. If you call me in April and want to list in May, we're working with what's there.
A Strategic Plan Beats a Rushed List Every Time
When we have time on our side, we can be strategic. Here's what that looks like in practice:
- We identify the two or three improvements with the highest return on investment for your specific home and neighborhood.
- We skip the projects that won't move the needle — saving you time, money, and stress.
- We give any outdoor improvements time to mature and look their best.
- We time your listing to hit the market at an optimal moment — not just when the house is finally "done."
- We get your pricing strategy right, with months of market data to work from rather than a quick snapshot.
There's No Obligation — Just Good Information
I want to be clear about something: reaching out to me early does not mean you're committed to selling. It means you're committed to making a smart decision.
Many of the homeowners I talk to in those early conversations end up waiting another year — and that's perfectly fine. What they gain from that conversation is a clear picture of what their home is worth, what it would take to maximize that value, and what the current market looks like. That's information worth having whether you sell this year or three years from now.
And for those who do decide to move forward, that early conversation sets the foundation for a smoother, more profitable sale.
If selling your home is even on your radar — even as a vague "maybe someday" — give me a call. Let's walk through your home together. I'll tell you what I see, what buyers in your price range are looking for, and what would make the biggest difference.
You might be surprised how ready you already are. Or you might leave with a clear 12-month plan to get there. Either way, you'll be ahead of the game.
David Thomas | HomeSmart Realty
Serving Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale, and the East Valley
