Going Active on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service)

This is the moment your home becomes visible to:

• Real estate agents and their clients
• Online platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin
• Buyers searching through MLS feeds and apps
• Our internal network of Coldwell Banker agents and affiliates

Once Active, showings begin, interest builds, and offers start to come in. Our team actively manages inquiries, appointments, and feedback to keep momentum strong.

The Power of “Coming Soon”

Before going Active, we may choose to list your home as Coming Soon—a strategic marketing period that builds anticipation and allows agents to schedule showings in advance.

During this phase:

• Your home appears online with photos and basic details
• No showings are allowed yet
• Buyers and agents preview the listing and plan ahead

This approach is especially effective for homes that are newly staged, freshly improved, or located in high-demand areas. It helps create urgency and excitement, ensuring a strong launch.

Whether we go straight to Active or use a Coming Soon strategy, our goal is the same: to launch your home with confidence, clarity, and competitive positioning—so you attract strong interest and receive the best possible offers.

In our next post, we’ll explore Step 13: Reviewing Offers – A Clear, Side-by-Side Comparison, and how we help you evaluate each offer with clarity and confidence.

👉 Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

Next up: Reviewing offers—how we help you compare and choose the best one.

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

Powered by Coldwell Banker Listing Concierge

Through Coldwell Banker’s Listing Concierge program, we offer a premium marketing package that includes:

• Professionally designed print brochures and postcards
• Targeted digital advertising across major platforms
• Social media promotion tailored to your local market
• A dedicated property website with high-resolution photos and listing details
• Email campaigns to our network of agents and potential buyers
• A custom YouTube video distributed across multiple platforms

These assets are created by a team of marketing professionals who understand how to position your home for maximum impact. The result is a polished, cohesive campaign that elevates your listing above the competition.

Traditional Meets Digital

We blend traditional methods like print brochures and direct mail with a robust digital strategy. Today’s buyers begin their search online, and your home needs to stand out in that space.

Digital marketing allows us to:

• Reach buyers where they’re already looking—on Zillow, Realtor.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Google
• Use targeted advertising to focus on specific demographics and geographic areas
• Track engagement and adjust strategy in real time

Why Marketing Matters—Even in a Seller’s Market

Even when inventory is low and demand is high, strategic marketing drives competition, attracts multiple offers, and helps you achieve the best possible price and terms.

Marketing isn’t just about visibility—it’s about positioning your home as a must-see property. With our team and Coldwell Banker’s resources behind you, your home will be presented with the professionalism and polish it deserves.

In our next post, we’ll explore Step 12: Going Active on the MLS – Launching Your Home to the Market, and how we time your listing for maximum impact.

👉 Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

At the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, we work with top-tier photographers who specialize in real estate and know how to capture your home in its best light.

What Professional Photographers Do

Our photographers go far beyond snapping pictures. They use:

• High-end equipment for crisp, well-lit images
• Wide-angle lenses to capture spaciousness and flow
• Strategic lighting to highlight architectural features
• Careful composition to guide the viewer’s eye
• Editing and retouching to enhance clarity and color balance

They know how to make rooms feel bright, open, and inviting—qualities buyers look for when browsing online listings.

Why It’s So Important

In today’s market, your first showing happens online. Buyers scroll through dozens of listings, and your photos are what make them stop and take notice. Beautiful, professional images:

• Create emotional connection before buyers even step inside
• Increase click-through rates on listing platforms
• Drive more showings, which leads to more offers

Homes with high-quality photography consistently sell faster and for more money than those with amateur or poorly lit images.

Reflecting Your EffortYou’ve invested time and care into preparing your home. Professional photography ensures that effort is fully reflected in how your home is presented to the market.

This isn’t just about pictures—it’s about presentation, perception, and positioning. And it’s one of the most powerful tools we use to help you sell with confidence and peace of mind.

In our next post, we’ll explore Step 11: Creating Marketing Assets – Strategic Exposure That Drives Results, and how we turn your home’s story into compelling content that reaches the right buyers.

👉 Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

Why We Revisit the CMA

Real estate markets are dynamic. New homes may have sold in your neighborhood since our initial analysis, and those sales can influence your home’s value. We re-run the CMA using the most recent comparable sales—homes similar in location, style, size, age, and condition—to ensure our pricing reflects current market conditions.

Adjusting for Improvements

The work you’ve completed adds real value. Buyers respond positively to homes that feel move-in ready, and we factor these improvements into our updated pricing strategy:

• Fresh paint increases perceived value
• A clean inspection report reduces buyer hesitation
• Professional staging enhances room functionality
• Deep cleaning boosts buyer confidence

Final Pricing Strategy

With updated comps and a refreshed understanding of your home’s condition and presentation, we finalize a pricing strategy that:

• Maximizes your net proceeds
• Aligns with your timeline
• Appeals to the largest pool of qualified buyers

This step honors the work you’ve done and ensures your home enters the market with the strongest possible positioning.

In our next post, we’ll explore Step 10: Professional Photography – Capturing Your Home at Its Very Best, and how we showcase your home to make a lasting first impression.

👉 Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

What Deep Cleaning Entails

A deep cleaning is a top-to-bottom refresh that targets areas often missed in day-to-day cleaning.

It typically includes:

• Washing baseboards, trim, and doors
• Cleaning inside cabinets, drawers, and closets
• Scrubbing grout and tile in kitchens and bathrooms
• Washing windows and window sills
• Dusting ceiling fans, vents, and light fixtures
• Polishing appliances and fixturesV
• acuuming and mopping under furniture and in corners
• Removing cobwebs and buildup in overlooked areas

This level of detail ensures your home feels fresh, well-maintained, and move-in ready—qualities that buyers notice immediately.

Why It Matters

Even if you have a wonderful housekeeper, routine cleaning typically focuses on surface-level upkeep. Deep cleaning is more intensive and designed to make your home shine in listing photos and showings, where every detail matters.Buyers often equate cleanliness with care. A spotless home suggests it has been lovingly maintained, while visible dust, grime, or clutter—even in small amounts—can create doubt and reduce perceived value.

We’re Here to Help

We coordinate the deep cleaning for you, using trusted professionals who understand the standards required for real estate presentation. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about presentation. And it’s one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to make a powerful impression.

In our next post, we’ll explore Step 9: Revisiting the CMA and Pricing Strategy—how we fine-tune your pricing based on final preparations and market conditions.

👉 Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

At the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, we help you prioritize updates that are cost-effective, impactful, and aligned with your goals—so you can feel confident without feeling overwhelmed.

What We Look For

During this phase, we evaluate:·

• Minor repairs that could raise red flags for buyers (e.g., leaky faucets, cracked tiles, loose railings)
• Cosmetic updates that enhance curb appeal and interior presentation
• Safety improvements, especially important for older adults and their families

Our Approach

We understand that time, energy, and budget are important considerations. That’s why we:·

• Focus on low-cost, high-impact improvements
• Provide access to trusted service providers who understand the needs of seniors
• Offer hands-on support to coordinate repairs and keep things moving smoothly

Whether it’s refreshing landscaping, touching up paint, or replacing outdated fixtures, our goal is to help your home look its best—without adding unnecessary stress.

In our next post, we’ll explore Step 8: Deep Cleaning – The Final Polish Before Photos, and how a professional clean can make your home sparkle in listing photos.

👉 Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

What a Professional Stager Looks For:

Stagers are experts in visual presentation and buyer psychology. During the consultation, they assess:

• Furniture placement to improve flow and make rooms feel larger
• Lighting and color balance to brighten spaces and create warmth
• Focal points like fireplaces or windows that should be emphasized
• Room function clarity, ensuring each space is easily understood
•  Neutralization of personal items to help buyers envision themselves in the home

Importantly, staging is rarely about buying new furniture or making major changes. Most adjustments involve rearranging or removing existing items to create a more open, inviting feel.

Supportive, Not Demanding

We understand that this is your home, filled with memories. Our recommendations are:

• Low-cost but high-impact
• Respectful of your time and energy
• Focused on results—helping your home stand out in photos and showings

Our goal is to enhance appeal without adding stress. With gentle guidance and hands-on support, we help you make small changes that lead to big results.In our next post, we’ll explore Step 7: Planning Repairs and Improvements—how we help you prioritize updates that add value without overwhelming your schedule or budget.

Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

Step 5: Pre-Listing Home Inspection – Clarity, Confidence, and Control

A pre-listing home inspection is an optional—but often highly valuable—step in preparing your home for sale. For many homeowners, especially seniors, it offers clarity and control over the process.

Conducted by a licensed professional before your home goes on the market, this inspection provides a clear, unbiased assessment of your home’s systems and structure, including:

• Roof and attic
• Foundation and basement
• Plumbing and electrical systems
• Heating and cooling systems
• Windows, doors, and insulation
• Kitchen and bathroom fixtures
• Safety features like smoke detectors and handrails

Why It’s Useful

• A pre-listing inspection helps you:
• Avoid surprises during the buyer’s inspection
• Build buyer confidence through transparency
• Support your pricing strategy with documented condition
• Reduce stress by resolving issues before they become urgent

The Power of Perception

A clean inspection report sends a strong message: your home is well cared for and move-in ready. This can lead to stronger offers and smoother negotiations. On the other hand, even minor issues—like leaky faucets or loose railings—can create doubt and lead buyers to negotiate more aggressively.

By choosing a pre-listing inspection, you’re not just uncovering potential problems—you’re sending a message of confidence and transparency to prospective buyers.

In our next post, we’ll explore Step 6: Staging Consultation – Enhancing Appeal Without Adding Stress, and how we help your home shine without overwhelming you.

👉 Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

Step 4: Pricing Strategy – Appealing to the Largest Pool of Buyers

Today’s buyers are more informed than ever. With access to real-time market data, online listings, and automated valuation tools, they arrive at showings with a clear understanding of what homes are worth.

That’s why pricing your home correctly from the start is essential.

At the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, we use a data-driven pricing strategy to ensure your home appeals to the largest pool of qualified buyers—maximizing visibility, interest, and offers.

Why Overpricing Can Hurt

• While it may be tempting to “test the market” with a higher price, this strategy often backfires.
• Overpriced homes can sit on the market too long, leading buyers to wonder what’s wrong.
• Price reductions may follow, often resulting in a lower final sale price than if the home had been priced correctly from the start.
• Online search filters may exclude your home if it’s priced outside buyers’ ranges, reducing visibility.

The Power of Strategic Pricing

Using the insights from your Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), we set a price that reflects your home’s true market value. This attracts more buyers, increases showings, and creates the potential for multiple offers.

In our next post, we’ll explore Step 5: Pre-Listing Home Inspection (Optional)—a proactive way to build buyer confidence and avoid surprises.

👉 Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.