Prepare a condo for sale by resolving condition and document questions first, then arranging rooms, photography and showing access around the actual unit. Confirm association responsibility and approval requirements before commissioning work that affects shared components.
Key takeaways
- Check who controls a component before agreeing to repair it.
- Photograph the route through the home as well as the best rooms.
- Test the full showing journey from parking to the unit door.
In this guide
Sort preparation work by consequence and responsibility
Walk through the condo with a list of visible defects, unfinished work and missing information. A leak needs investigation before a stain is painted. A loose cabinet handle can be a straightforward owner repair. A window, balcony surface or exterior fixture may involve the association, depending on the governing documents.
The repair-priority guide helps compare scope, cost and disruption. Request approval requirements before ordering replacement windows or changing flooring. Keep the approval, invoice and completion record together so the next question can be answered from a file rather than memory.
| Item found | Before spending | Useful completion evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Water staining | Identify source and responsible component | Repair record and follow-up observation |
| Worn interior finishes | Compare modest touch-up with full replacement | Agreed scope and paid invoice |
| Changed flooring or walls | Check approvals and applicable permit history | Association approval and relevant permit records |
| Unclear parking or storage | Resolve the rights behind the description | Document identifying the space or right |
Show how the floor plan works in daily use
Make the route from entrance to living area and bedrooms easy to understand. Leave enough furniture to establish room function without concealing doorways or circulation. Photograph a flex room according to its actual use and verified characteristics, rather than assigning a bedroom label because a bed fits.
For a multi-level home, show the stairs and the location of bedrooms and laundry. The Terra Springs seller guide explains why a brownstone needs a different media brief from an apartment-style condo. The staging guide helps owners retain useful room context while removing visual clutter.
If the unit is vacant, include a measured floor plan and photos that show room connections. Ask the photographer how digitally altered or virtually staged images will be labelled. A buyer should be able to match the photos to the home at the showing.
Prepare a photography brief that answers buyer questions
A river-view home needs a photo taken from the room where the view is experienced. Pair it with the wider interior angle so the reader can see the relationship. The condo photography brief covers room sequence, exposure and common-area captions.
In a building such as the Lofts of Stillwater, confirm which outdoor spaces are part of the unit and which are shared before captioning them. The river-view selling guide connects those descriptions to pricing and access rights.
Give the photographer the approved access route, permitted areas and any restrictions on equipment or common-space photography. Schedule final cleaning after dusty work. Check mirrors, screens and paperwork for personal information before the camera arrives.
Test parking, entry and showing instructions before launch
Walk the route a visiting buyer will take. Record the entrance, intercom procedure, permitted parking and route to the unit. The City's downtown parking permit guidance distinguishes designated permit lots from street parking. Check the current signs and map when preparing visitor instructions.
Ask the manager about lockboxes, escorted access, common-area visits and any notice requirement. Put operational instructions into the showing system rather than the public listing. The showing-access guide provides a test sequence and a record for failed appointments.
For a moved-out seller, assign a person to check that lights, temperature and entry devices work before the first appointment. Repeat the access test after changing a code or replacing a fob. A beautiful gallery cannot compensate for a buyer who cannot enter.
Agree the launch materials with Richard McDonough
Richard McDonough's local condo listing record gives you property examples to discuss when reviewing the media proposal. Ask which shots explain your unit best and what work is included in the agreed service.
Use the marketing-plan checklist to approve the description, images, floor plan and showing instructions as one packet. Carry unresolved document questions into the paperwork checklist and record who will supply each answer.
Reviewed September 18, 2026. Sources and editorial approach.
