Pre-Listing Checklist for Agents (Free Printable)

A pre-listing checklist is a list of everything to finish between signing a seller and putting the home on the market: the paperwork, the pricing decision, getting the home ready, photos and media, and setting up your marketing so it is ready on day one. Going live with everything in place makes for a stronger first week. The printable checklist below covers each stage. Download it as a PDF or a Word file you can edit.

Disclosure: we make ListingFlare, which can host the listing page you set up before launch. The checklist works with any tools.

Paperwork

• Listing agreement signed, using your brokerage's form.
• Seller disclosures completed, as required where you work. Requirements vary by state and brokerage.
• HOA documents requested, if the home has an HOA.
• Ownership and title details confirmed, so there are no surprises later.
• Property tax information gathered, from the official source.
• Showing instructions and a lockbox plan agreed, including notice and access.
• Occupancy and access details noted, such as tenants, pets and preferred times.

Pricing

• Comparable sales reviewed, using recent, nearby sales from your MLS.
• Pricing strategy agreed with the seller, with reasons in writing.
• A price review date set, so a later conversation is expected rather than a surprise. See how to talk to a seller about a price reduction.

Home Preparation

• Declutter and deep clean before photos.
• Agree a repairs list and who does what.
• Make a staging plan. See our home staging tips.
• Curb appeal and landscaping, since the exterior is the first photo.
• Utilities on for photos and showings.
• A plan for pets during showings.

Photos and Media

• Photographer booked, with the home ready the day before.
• Video or a 3D tour, if you use them.
• A floor plan, if you use one.
• Photos reviewed and chosen, with the hero shot decided.

Marketing Setup

• Listing description written and fact-checked. Our listing description examples can help, and anything drafted with AI needs checking.
• Listing page ready, with the lead form tested. Use the single property website template and the listing page checklist.
• QR code and flyer ready. See the open house flyer generator.
• Social posts scheduled for the launch.
• Open house scheduled. Use the open house checklist.
• Email to your contacts ready.

Go Live

Set the go-live date and note the MLS number once it is entered, and put the first seller update on the calendar. Our listing marketing plan template turns these steps into a plan you can share with the seller, and the seller update report gives you a format for the weekly update.

Setting Up the Listing Page

If you use ListingFlare, you can create the listing page before go-live: add photos, details, a virtual tour link and video, then use the page link and QR code in your flyers and posts. Test the lead form yourself first, so you know the notification reaches you. It is one option among many, and the checklist works the same either way.

Go Live in Minutes

The last items on this checklist are the marketing setup and the go-live steps. ListingFlare lets you enter the details, add photos and publish a branded listing page with a QR code and lead capture the same day. You can see the live demo or start the 14-day free trial.