Selling your home involves dozens of tasks, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. This comprehensive, interactive checklist breaks down the entire process into a manageable, step-by-step timeline—from your first thought of selling all the way to closing day.

Phase 1: The Strategic Planning Stage                                  (3-6 Months Before Listing)

Goal: Lay the groundwork for a smooth and profitable sale.

Financial & Research Tasks

  • Research Edmonton Market Conditions: Understand if it's a buyer's or seller's market.
  • Review Your Mortgage Details: Check your mortgage balance and understand any prepayment penalties or porting options.
  • Get a Preliminary Net Sheet Estimate: Get a rough idea of your potential proceeds after commissions and closing costs. 
  • Interview & Select a REALTOR®: Choose a proven local expert. Prepare questions about their marketing plan, experience, and communication style.

Home Preparation Tasks

  • Start Decluttering: Room by room, begin purging items you no longer need. Consider donating, selling, or renting a storage unit.
  • Walk-Through with Your Agent: Have your chosen agent do a walk-through and provide a list of recommended repairs and improvements.
  • Plan Major Repairs: Address any significant issues like a leaky roof, faulty furnace, or broken windows.
  • Research Staging Options: Decide if you will DIY stage, hire a professional, or need to rent furniture.


Phase 2: Pre-Listing Preparation                    (1-2 Months Before Listing)

Goal: Transform your house into a market-ready product that will photograph beautifully.

Repairs & Updates

  • Complete Minor Repairs: Fix leaky faucets, cracked tiles, stuck doors, and torn screens.
  • Freshen Up Paint: Touch up scuffs or repaint bold walls with neutral, modern colours (e.g., light grey, beige, off-white).
  • Enhance Curb Appeal: Mow the lawn, trim bushes, plant seasonal flowers, repaint the front door, and ensure the house number is visible.

Deep Cleaning & Organization

  • Conduct a Deep Clean: Scrub every surface, including windows, carpets, baseboards, and light fixtures.
  • Organize Closets & Storage: Neat, organized storage spaces appear larger and more functional.
  • Fully Depersonalize: Pack away family photos, religious items, and personal collections so buyers can visualize themselves in the space.

Phase 3: Launch & Active Listing (Listing Week & Beyond)

Goal: Maximize exposure and generate buyer interest.

Pre-Launch Tasks

  • Finalize Listing Details: Approve the listing description, price, and photos with your agent.
  • Professional Photography & Marketing: Ensure your agent has scheduled professional photos, a video tour, and perhaps a drone shoot.
  • Prepare for Showings: Create a plan for last-minute tidying, pet removal, and leaving the home for viewings.

Launch Day & Onward

  • Review the Live Listing: Check that everything is correct on the MLS® and major portals (Realtor.ca, Zillow, etc.).
  • Share on Social Media: Promote the listing through your own networks.
  • Keep the Home "Show-Ready": Maintain the cleanliness and staging. Your home must be ready to view at all times.
  • Provide Feedback Access: Ensure your agent has a easy way to gather and relay feedback from showing agents.

Phase 4: Offers, Negotiation, & Closing (The Final Steps)

Goal: Secure the best possible offer and navigate the process to a successful closing.

Offer Management

  • Review All Offers with Your Agent: Discuss the price, conditions, and closing date of each offer.
  • Negotiate Terms: Work with your agent to negotiate the best price and favourable conditions.
  • Accept an Offer & Sign Documents: Once satisfied, sign the agreement to make it firm.

Closing Process

  • Satisfy Conditions: Cooperate with the buyer's home inspection and appraisal.
  • Hire a Real Estate Lawyer: Your lawyer will handle the title transfer, discharge of mortgage, and distribution of funds.
  • Start Packing: Begin packing non-essential items.
  • Arrange Utilities & Mail Forwarding: Schedule the cancellation of your utilities and set up mail forwarding with Canada Post.
  • Final Walk-Through: Accompanied by your agent, ensure the property is in the agreed-upon condition before closing.
  • Hand Over the Keys: Congratulations! The sale is complete.

Don't Navigate This Alone. Get Expert Guidance.

This checklist is your roadmap, but having a knowledgeable local guide makes all the difference. We help Edmonton sellers navigate this process every day, providing expert advice at every step.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation and get a personalized plan for your sale.

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Data last updated on November 2, 2025 at 09:30 AM (UTC).
Copyright 2025 by the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. All Rights Reserved.
Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton.
The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by CREA and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA.