Listing Prep Tips for Spring 2026 Home Sellers

As we head into spring 2026, the Santa Clarita Valley market is expected to feel more active, with buyers gradually coming off the sidelines as interest rates ease and confidence improves. At the same time, a fresh wave of new listings typically hits the market, giving buyers more options—and making careful preparation even more important for sellers. Using the quieter winter months to get your home “spring ready” means you’ll be poised to shine when that wave of activity arrives, instead of scrambling to catch up.

Enjoy your home now, prepare it to shine later

The holidays have a way of slowing everything down—cooler evenings, twinkle lights, friends and family lingering a little longer around the table. If you’re thinking about selling in the new year or early spring, this season is an ideal time to begin preparing your home without turning your life into a construction zone.

We encourage our clients to use this time intentionally: enjoy your home, host your people, and at the same time start laying the groundwork so your property is ready to stand out when the spring market arrives.

Step 1: Walk your home like a buyer—then enjoy it like a guest

Before you touch a paintbrush or storage bin, take a slow walk through your home as if you were a first-time visitor.

Ask yourself:

• What do I notice first when I walk up to the front door?

• Is there a smell, sound, or visual distraction that pulls focus?

• Which spaces feel calm and welcoming, and which feel crowded or tired?

Jot down a simple list of “quick wins” and “bigger projects.” Then flip back into “host mode”: light a candle or fire, put on soft music, and sit in each main room for a few minutes. Notice what you love about the space—natural light, a favorite view, the way everyone gathers in the kitchen. You’re improving a property, but you’re also honoring a home that holds real memories.

Step 2: Start with small, satisfying edits

Holiday gatherings are the perfect excuse to declutter and refresh, one zone at a time—no giant weekend overhaul required.

• In living areas, remove extra furniture, edit bookshelves, and clear surfaces so they feel styled rather than crowded.

• In kitchens and bathrooms, minimize countertop items, toss expired products, and use simple storage to keep daily essentials organized.

• In bedrooms and closets, create a “keep, donate, store” system, box up off-season items, and opt for neutral bedding in the primary bedroom for a calm, hotel-like feel.

These small edits make your home easier to live in now, while quietly nudging it closer to show-ready later.

Step 3: Use quiet weekends for light maintenance and repairs

Buyers in Santa Clarita and the surrounding valleys place a premium on homes that feel well cared for and move-in ready.

On slower weekends, tackle items that often show up on inspection reports:

• Quick fixes: swap burned-out bulbs, tighten handles and hinges, touch up scuffed trim.

• Function & safety: test smoke and CO detectors, change HVAC filters, check for slow drains or minor leaks.

• Systems review: if needed, schedule routine servicing for HVAC or address any known roof, plumbing, or electrical issues.

Handled gradually, these tasks feel manageable—and they help protect your position once you’re in escrow.

Step 4: Plan now for fresh spring curb appeal

Even if your yard is dormant, this is a smart time to plan for spring landscaping.

• Clean up beds by removing weeds, dead plants, and debris.

• Trim trees and shrubs so your home’s architecture and windows are visible.

• Refresh ground cover where needed and consider pressure washing paths or driveways.

For planting, choose a simple, cohesive palette (for example, whites and greens with one accent color) and prioritize low-maintenance, water-conscious plants. By the time you’re ready to list, your exterior will feel polished and intentional rather than rushed.

Step 5: Organize records, historical documents, and make a simple timeline

On a rainy weekend, pour a cup of coffee and gather the “behind the scenes” details buyers love:

• A list of major improvements and the year completed

• Service records for systems and appliances

• Any permits, plans, or warranties on file

For larger estates, long-held properties, or rental homes, go deeper and begin compiling historical documents:

• Original plans, surveys, maps, or easement descriptions

• Past appraisals, old marketing brochures, or listing photos that show how the property evolved

• For rentals: prior leases, rent rolls, income/expense summaries, and any HOA information

• Well, septic, or water reports, if applicable

This paperwork helps your eventual listing tell a clear, confident story about how the property has been maintained and used—especially valuable for complex estates or investment properties.

Then sketch a simple timeline: target list date, projects to finish 4–6 weeks prior, and when you’ll meet with your real estate team to finalize pricing, marketing, and logistics. A loose framework keeps everyone oriented while leaving room for life to happen.

Step 6: Decide whether to sell vacant, staged, furnished—or virtually staged

As you look ahead, it’s also helpful to think about how your home will be presented when it hits the market:

• Vacant:

  • Pros: Simple access for showings; easy for buyers to move quickly.

  • Considerations: Empty rooms can feel cold or smaller, and some buyers struggle to visualize scale.

• Professionally staged:

  • Pros: Highlights your home’s best features, defines spaces, and helps buyers emotionally connect.

  • Considerations: Involves an upfront cost and coordination for install and removal.

• Furnished (using some or all of your existing pieces):

  • Pros: Can offer a turnkey option and reduce moving/storage needs.

  • Considerations: Existing furniture may not show the space at its best, and negotiating included items can add complexity.

• Virtual and AI-enhanced staging:

  • Pros: Allows us to digitally furnish or reimagine rooms in photos so buyers can preview different layouts, styles, or uses of the space—especially helpful for vacant rooms or flex spaces.

  • Considerations: It’s a visual tool only; the physical rooms remain unchanged, so expectations must be set clearly in the listing remarks.

At 35 Oaks, we often blend these approaches—using traditional staging, your existing furnishings, and virtual or AI-staging techniques—to help buyers see both how the home lives today and what’s possible tomorrow. The best strategy depends on your property, target buyer, and timeline, and is something we work through together during your listing consultation.

Step 7: Protect your time—and enjoy your space

Most importantly, give yourself permission to enjoy this season.

• Host the holiday dinner in the dining room you’ve just decluttered.

• Light a fire and actually use the living room you plan to photograph in a few months.

• Spend a quiet morning on the patio with a blanket and coffee, noticing the views that drew you to the property in the first place.

Preparing to sell doesn’t mean you have to detach from your home overnight. Often, the more you slow down and enjoy the space now, the more clearly you’ll see what should be highlighted, softened, or re-imagined for buyers later.

Partnering with 35 Oaks for a thoughtful listing plan

Every home—and every seller’s schedule—is different. Our role at 35 Oaks is to bring a calm, strategic lens to the process, so you never feel rushed or pressured.

When you’re ready, we’re happy to:

• Walk your property with you and prioritize which projects will offer the best return

• Recommend trusted local vendors for repairs, paint, landscaping, and staging

• Build a custom timeline that aligns with your family’s commitments and the spring market in Santa Clarita and surrounding communities

With distinct standards and dynamic experience, our team is committed to elevated, authentic representation—helping you showcase your home at its best while protecting your time, energy, and peace of mind.

Schedule a listing consultation with 35 Oaks

If you’re considering a sale in the coming months, a one-on-one listing consultation is often the best first step. During this meeting, we’ll walk through your property, review your goals and timing, discuss current market conditions, and outline a tailored preparation and marketing plan—whether you’re selling a condo, a family home, or a larger estate or rental portfolio.