Before I ever sold a house, I sold more than 22,000 things online. And that taught me one big lesson: people decide fast. One scroll, one photo, and they're either in love or gone.
Your home works the same way. Your listing photos and your Matterport® 3D tour are your home's first handshake, so let's make it a good one! The best part? Getting ready to sell doesn't have to be a renovation marathon. It's more like making a good roux: a little time, a little stirring, and no rushing.
The quick answer: Start about 4 to 6 weeks before you list. Do these 5: start your paper trail, pack early, fix the worry list, plant pansies (not panic), and get ready for your close-up on photo day. Skip these 2: the big remodel and hiding known problems.
Jump to:
#1 Paper trail #2 Pack early #3 Worry list #4 Curb appeal #5 Photo day Skip these 2
First Things First: When Should You Start?
When should I start getting my home ready to sell? For most homes, about 4 to 6 weeks before you list. That gives you time to gather paperwork, pack, fix small things, and plan photo day without a mad dash. If your home needs bigger repairs, or you're moving out first, start earlier.
- 6 weeks out: Gather paperwork, and let's walk through together.
- 4 weeks out: Pack early and book small repairs.
- 2 weeks out: Curb appeal, a deep clean, and touch-ups.
- Photo day: Lights on, blinds open, counters clear.
Do This #1: Start Your Paper Trail
What paperwork do I need to sell a house in Louisiana? Most Louisiana sellers fill out a Property Disclosure Document. It asks what you know about your home, like the roof, plumbing, termites, and flooding. Louisiana law calls for it in most home sales. Here's the part people miss: if a buyer gets the form after making an offer, they get 72 hours (not counting weekends and holidays) to back out. So I like to have it done before we list.
I call the rest your "go folder." Here's what goes in it:
- Your Property Disclosure Document (I'll help you get started)
- Flood info: your flood zone, your flood policy, any elevation certificate, and any past claims
- Your termite contract, if you have one
- Your roof's age, repair receipts, and warranties
- A FORTIFIED roof certificate, if you have one
- HOA documents and dues, if you have an HOA
- A few recent utility bills (buyers ask!)
Louisiana lagniappe: Two perks worth bragging about. FEMA says a National Flood Insurance Program policy can be transferred to your buyer when you sell. And starting January 1, 2027, Louisiana insurers must offer discounts on the hurricane part of the premium for FORTIFIED homes (Louisiana Department of Insurance). Have a FORTIFIED certificate? Buyers will want to see it.
Not sure of your flood zone? I'll pull the FEMA flood map for your home. Updating your records anyway? My quick hurricane season home check has a simple list.
Do This #2: Pack Early (You're Moving Anyway!)
Should I declutter before I list my house? Yes! And here's my secret: packing early isn't extra work. It's a head start on moving day. Buyers want to picture their own life in your home, so give them room to dream.
- Clear the kitchen and bathroom counters.
- Thin out the closets. Buyers open them!
- Put away family photos, collections, and the fridge-door art gallery.
- If a room feels full, take out a piece or two of furniture.
Do This #3: Fix the Worry List
What should I fix before I sell my house? Fix anything that makes buyers ask, "Is this house OK?" Think leaks, broken locks, doors that stick, and lights that don't work. Then freshen up what buyers notice first, like scuffed paint, dingy grout, and burned-out bulbs.
Not sure what's worth fixing? I wrote a whole post with my Fix, Refresh, or Skip test: What Should I Fix Before Selling My Baton Rouge Home?
Do This #4: Plant Pansies, Not Panic
How can I add curb appeal in the fall in Baton Rouge? Your front door is often the first photo buyers see, and the first click. Lucky for us, fall is planting time here! The LSU AgCenter says to plant pansies and violas between late October and early December. Two pots by the front door go a long way.
- Trim the shrubs, edge the lawn, and add fresh mulch.
- Wash the front door and add a new doormat.
- Make sure the porch light works.
- Clear the porch and the driveway.
Do This #5: Get Ready for Your Close-Up
How do I get my house ready for listing photos and a Matterport® 3D tour? Photo day is when all your hard work pays off. Professional photos and a Matterport® 3D tour let buyers walk through every room from the couch, in their pajamas, at midnight. A 3D tour shows everything, so here's my room-by-room list:
- Kitchen: Clear the counters and the fridge door. Hide the sponge and the dish towels.
- Living areas: Every light on, every blind open. Fluff the pillows and hide the cords.
- Bedrooms: Make the beds and clear the nightstands.
- Bathrooms: Toilet lids down, fresh towels, and nothing on the counters.
- Outside: Cars out of the driveway, trash cans out of sight, and the porch swept.
Plan for pets (and people) to be out for a few hours. You don't even have to be home!
Skip These 2
What should I not do before selling my house? Two things I'd leave off your list:
- The big remodel. A full kitchen or bathroom redo right before you list rarely makes sense. Small fixes and a deep clean usually do more for less. Same goes for bold paint and custom upgrades: they fit your taste, not every buyer's.
- Hiding known problems. Louisiana's disclosure form asks what you know. Being upfront protects you and keeps your sale on track. I'll walk through the form with you, line by line.
As one of my sellers, Eydie A., put it: "Not only did she get our house sold quickly, she offered great advice." Read more client reviews.
Questions Sellers Ask Me
Do I have to fill out a property disclosure form in Louisiana?
Most sellers do. Louisiana law calls for a Property Disclosure Document in most home sales, with a few exceptions, like certain foreclosures and court-ordered sales. You only share what you actually know. I'll help you get it started early.
Should I remodel my kitchen before I sell?
Usually not. A big remodel right before listing rarely pays off. Small fixes, paint touch-ups, and a deep clean usually do more for less. Let's walk through your home together first.
Should I get a pre-listing inspection?
It can help you find surprises early, especially in an older home. Just know that anything it finds becomes something you know, and Louisiana's disclosure form asks about what you know. Let's talk about what makes sense for your home.
Let's Make Your Plan Together
Every home has a story. My job is to make sure buyers see yours at its best, and remember it. My SOLD Strategy covers pricing, professional photos, Matterport® 3D tours, video, SEO, follow-up with every buyer, and skilled negotiation. Seen. Remembered. Sold.
Reach out either way. I'm happy to help.
Call or Text Rima: 225-892-2131 See my seller plan
More from my blog:
- Selling a historic home? Read how to price historic charm without overreaching.
- Buying your next home, too? Here's my buyer plan.
- Exploring a new area? Browse my Baton Rouge area guides.
This is part 1 of my seller prep series. Coming up on my blog: fall curb appeal, the Louisiana paperwork go folder, and getting photo-day ready.
Where My Info Comes From
I like to give credit where it's due:
- Louisiana Real Estate Commission: the Property Disclosure Document
- Louisiana law (La. R.S. 9:3196 to 9:3200): when sellers give the disclosure form, and the 72-hour rule
- FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program: transferring a flood policy to your buyer, and FEMA flood maps
- Louisiana Department of Insurance: FORTIFIED discounts starting January 1, 2027
- LSU AgCenter: when to plant pansies and violas
