The First Week on Market:
What We Watch & How We Adjust
The first week is the highest-attention window. You’ve done the prep—now our job is to convert attention into showings and offers. We focus on two practical indicators and adjust quickly if they’re soft.
Indicator #1: Showings
- Target (Week 1): 5–10 showings (season/price point dependent).
- After Week 1: Aim for ~3–4 showings per week.
- If we have < 5 in the first week, something’s off (pricing, presentation, or marketing). We’ll discuss fixes right away.
- If there’s no offer after ~2 weeks and traffic/feedback are light, we’ll consider adjustments.
Indicator #2: MLS Activity (Reach & Interest)
We review MLS activity and share a short summary during Week 1 (more frequent updates available on request). Benchmarks:
- Reach: ~350+ recipients (auto matches in buyers’ saved searches). Fewer than ~350 can indicate a smaller buyer pool.
- Interest signals: ~20 “Interested” and ~20 “Maybe” by the end of Week 1 is a good sign for a sub-30-day sale.
If reach is low, we’ll look for ways to expand the pool. Many buyers’ searches hinge on a few “deal-breaker” filters: location (fixed), beds, baths, parking, central A/C, in-unit laundry, and price. Examples:
- If no parking: is there a rentable option nearby so we can honestly market “parking available”?
- Laundry: can we add or highlight in-unit hookups?
- Bedroom count: can a den be staged as a conforming bedroom?
If metrics are under target, don’t get discouraged. Remember the local average days on market. Keep the home show-ready and approve as many showings as possible—the more traffic, the more chances to convert.
Our Adjustment Playbook
- Condition/Staging: Any quick wins to improve photos or in-person feel?
- Marketing/Photography: Do we need new lead images, reorder photos, or sharpen remarks across MLS/portals?
- Price: Buyers search in ~$25k bands. To reach the next pool, drops should cross a band (e.g., $485k → $475k). Small trims ($2k–$3k) rarely change visibility.
- Incentives: Consider a buyer closing-cost credit or a limited-time agent bonus tied to a contract deadline—these can spur action.
Step 8 to Selling Your Home: I’ll Pre-Market Your Home