Getting your West Lake home ready to sell can feel like a second job. You want strong photos, fast market momentum, and a smooth closing, but you may not have time to manage painters, landscapers, and staging. This guide gives you a focused, local checklist for West Lake, Liberty that covers what to fix first, what to refresh for photos, and how Compass Concierge can cover upfront prep costs while your agent coordinates vendors. Let’s dive in.

West Lake market realities

Southeast Texas is hot and humid, so buyers and inspectors watch for moisture issues, sound roofs, and healthy HVAC systems. Subterranean termites are common, and clay soils can affect foundations, so documentation and basic maintenance can prevent surprises. Parts of Liberty County are in FEMA flood zones, so confirm your status using the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and be prepared to disclose per the Texas Real Estate Commission. If your neighborhood has an HOA, review CC&Rs before exterior changes, and check city or county permits for work like roofing, electrical, or major landscaping.

• Learn about resilient plant choices and humidity-aware maintenance from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: agrilifeextension.tamu.edu
• Check flood status at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center: FEMA flood maps
• Review Texas disclosure requirements at the Texas Real Estate Commission

Your step-by-step checklist

Functional and safety first

• Schedule HVAC service and replace filters. Keep receipts and service records.
• Order a roof inspection. Repair loose shingles and flashing and document work.
• Fix plumbing leaks, running toilets, and any unsafe electrical issues such as loose outlets.
• Get a termite inspection. Treat if evidence is found and keep the report for buyers.
• Address active water intrusion, visible mold, or structural concerns and plan to disclose.

Why it matters: Inspectors will flag these items quickly. Handling them now reduces delays and renegotiations.

Curb appeal and exterior

• Mow, edge, prune, and refresh mulch. Choose heat- and humidity-tough plants that suit Southeast Texas conditions, and ensure grading moves water away from the foundation. For plant and maintenance guidance, see Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
• Pressure wash siding, walkways, and the driveway. Touch up exterior paint, especially the front door and trim.
• Test garage doors and repair visible damage.
• Replace burned-out bulbs and use warm, bright lighting for porches and walkways.

Why it matters: First impressions drive showing activity and photo performance.

Interior refresh for photos

• Repaint with neutral, warm tones. Remove dated wallpaper and cover scuffed high-traffic areas.
• Deep clean or replace worn carpet. Consider durable engineered wood or laminate in key spaces if budget allows. Professionally clean tile and grout.
• Update dated fixtures with simple modern lighting and use higher-CRI bulbs for true color.
• Swap cabinet hardware and bath faucets for a quick, affordable style lift.

Staging, decluttering, and cleaning

• Declutter. Remove extra furniture and personal photos to make rooms feel larger. Pack non-essentials in labeled boxes.
• Stage key rooms such as the living room, kitchen, and primary bedroom. Consider virtual staging if the home is vacant.
• Schedule a professional deep clean just before photography. Make sure all bulbs are working and blinds are open for natural light.

Documentation and disclosures

• Gather manuals, warranties, receipts for recent repairs, and any HOA documents.
• If you completed electrical or plumbing work, keep permits and signed invoices.
• Prepare the Texas Seller’s Disclosure Notice. Review requirements at the Texas Real Estate Commission.

Small, high-ROI projects

• Kitchen: fresh hardware, a light paint refresh, and uncluttered counters.
• Bathrooms: regrout, update vanity lighting and faucets, and consider a new mirror.
• Lighting: modern fixtures in the entry, dining area, and primary bedroom.

How Compass Concierge helps

Compass Concierge is designed to pay for eligible pre-listing improvements upfront for qualified listings, with repayment at closing from your sale proceeds. It commonly covers cosmetic updates like paint, flooring, lighting, landscaping, cleaning, staging, and photography. Terms and eligibility can vary by market, so ask your agent to provide the current Concierge Agreement and an itemized estimate before work begins. Explore program basics at Compass Concierge.

How the process works

• Consult and scope: Your agent prioritizes projects that move the needle and estimates costs.
• Enroll: You authorize Concierge so approved vendors can be paid directly and you repay at closing.
• Bids and scheduling: Your agent collects bids, confirms timelines, and coordinates work.
• Project management: Your agent oversees completion, staging, and photography.
• Accounting: You receive invoice copies and a clear statement of costs repaid at closing.

What Concierge typically covers

• Interior and exterior paint, light fixture upgrades, flooring updates, and landscaping refreshes.
• Staging, deep cleaning, and professional photography.
• Minor repairs and touch-ups that boost photo appeal and buyer confidence.

Important: Some repairs, structural work, or unpermitted items may be excluded or handled case-by-case. Confirm eligible categories, any fees, and whether the program accrues interest in your area before enrolling.

Timeline and budget planning

Here is a common two-to-six-week path for a move-in-ready home:

• Day 0: Initial consult and, if chosen, Concierge authorization.
• Days 1–3: Bids and vendor selection with your approval of a cost ceiling.
• Days 4–21: Work phase. Start with HVAC, roof, and plumbing, then paint, flooring, and landscaping.
• Days 22–25: Staging, final clean, and photography.
• Day 26+: Live on market and start showings.

Costs vary by home size, scope, and material choices. For planning, browse cost references from Angi and HomeAdvisor, then confirm with local bids.

• Interior painting: a few hundred for touch-ups to several thousand for a full home.
• Exterior wash and paint: several hundred to multiple thousands depending on size and condition.
• Landscaping refresh: about a few hundred to several thousand based on scope.
• Flooring updates: starts at a few dollars per square foot for laminate, with engineered hardwood higher.
• Staging: often priced per room or a monthly package for main living areas and the primary suite.
• Professional cleaning: roughly a couple hundred dollars for average homes, more for larger properties.
• Lighting swaps: approximately $100 to $800 per fixture installed, depending on selection and labor.

Vendors and permit checks

• Get at least two bids for projects over a few hundred dollars and ask for recent work examples.
• Verify contractor insurance and trade licensing where required. You can check licensing at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
• Use written scopes with timelines, materials, warranties, and payment schedules.
• Confirm city or county permits for roof replacements, structural work, or electrical and plumbing. If your neighborhood has an HOA, obtain approvals before exterior changes or signage.

Quick-start plan for busy sellers

1. Schedule a virtual consult to set priorities and, if desired, sign Concierge authorization.
2. Approve a scope and maximum spend while your agent collects bids.
3. Complete functional fixes first, then paint, flooring, and landscaping. Your agent monitors progress and provides updates.
4. Install staging, complete a deep clean, and do a quick final walk-through.
5. Capture professional photos and go live the next day.

Ready to move forward?

If you want a turnkey path to market, we coordinate every step, from color selections to final photography, and leverage Compass Concierge so approved prep can be funded upfront and settled at closing. When you are ready, request a confidential strategy consult with Harlan Realty Group.

FAQs

What is Compass Concierge for West Lake sellers?

• It is a program that can pay upfront for approved pre-listing services like paint, flooring, landscaping, cleaning, staging, and photography, with repayment at closing. Confirm current local terms with your agent.

How do I check if my West Lake property is in a flood zone?

• Use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center to search your address and discuss results with your agent and insurance provider.

Which projects usually deliver the best return in West Lake?

• Fresh paint, lighting updates, landscaping cleanup, and staged main spaces often offer high visual impact for cost. Your agent will tailor priorities to your home and price point.

How long does pre-listing prep take in West Lake, Liberty?

• Cosmetic projects can be completed in 1 to 3 weeks, with larger updates extending to 4 to 8 weeks. Your agent will provide a timeline tied to your target list date.

Do I need permits or HOA approval for updates before listing?

• Many exterior or trade-specific projects require permits, and HOAs often review exterior changes. Check local permit rules and HOA guidelines before work begins.

How are vendors selected and verified for my project?

• Your agent secures multiple bids, verifies insurance and trade licensing via the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and coordinates scheduling with your approval of scope and materials.