24 steps · Save your progress

The complete pre-listing checklist.

Everything Ontario sellers should do in the 4–6 weeks before their home hits the MLS. Six categories, twenty-four steps, real tips from Coldwell Banker Summit Realty agents who close 12,000+ homes a year.

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Remove 30% of your stuff
Closets, counters, garages. Buyers visualize themselves living there — your stuff blocks that mental image. Rent a storage unit if needed.
Take down family photos & personal art
Neutral wall décor only. Buyers spend more time in homes that feel like a blank canvas, not someone else's.
Empty pantry, fridge, medicine cabinet by 50%
Showings see inside cabinets. Sparse = organized = move-in ready. Save what you actually use, donate the rest.
Clear all flat surfaces (counters, shelves, tables)
Goal: every flat surface holds 0–2 items max. Negotiable for kitchen (small appliance OK), zero in bathrooms.

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Direct answer

What should I do before listing my home for sale in Ontario?

Start 4–6 weeks before your target listing date. Work through six categories in order:

1Declutter — Remove 30% of belongings, depersonalize, clear surfaces.
2Repairs — Fix every visible defect; service HVAC; touch-up paint.
3Curb appeal — Power-wash, refresh front door, trim landscaping, wash windows.
4Staging & photos — Rearrange furniture, set the table, hire pro photographer (24+ shots).
5Paperwork — Gather utility bills, tax statements, renovation receipts, status certificate.
6Price & agent — Get AI valuation + 2–3 agent CMAs, choose strategy, sign listing.

Following this sequence typically reduces days-on-market by 30–40% vs. listing without preparation (NAR 2024 seller research).

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