Planning to Sell a Home in 2026? Don’t Skip These Two Experts

Every year, homeowners preparing to sell spend thousands of dollars on repairs, upgrades, or renovations—only to later discover those changes weren’t necessary, didn’t add value, or didn’t help the home sell for more money. In some cases, sellers even learn after the work is done that the improvements slowed down the sale or complicated negotiations.

If you’re planning to sell a home in 2026, especially in the Central Valley, there are two conversations you should have before spending a dollar on repairs, calling contractors, or listing your home. These two experts can save you time, money, and stress—and help you maximize both your sale and your next purchase.

Step One: Before Making Repairs or Renovations, Talk to a Realtor First

One of the most common—and costly—mistakes sellers make is assuming they need to fix or upgrade everything before listing their home. In reality, many repairs do not increase value dollar-for-dollar, and some are better handled through pricing strategy or negotiation.

An experienced Central Valley Realtor understands:

• What today’s buyers actually care about
• Which repairs are required versus purely cosmetic
• What improvements impact appraisals and buyer financing
• Where sellers typically overspend with little return
• How to position a home to sell quickly and competitively

Not every repair adds value. In fact, some upgrades:

• Don’t increase the appraised value
• Aren’t required by buyer loan programs
• Can delay listing timelines
• Create unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses

A knowledgeable Realtor can help you determine:

• Which repairs are worth doing before listing
• When seller credits make more sense than upfront fixes
• How to prioritize safety, condition, and market appeal
• What to leave for negotiation instead of repair

Before picking up a hammer or writing a check, a realtor’s guidance can prevent wasted spending and help you focus on what actually moves the sale forward.

Step Two: Selling and Buying Next? Get Pre-Approved After the Sale Strategy Is Clear

If you plan to buy another home after you sell, the next critical step is understanding how your sale impacts your buying power—and that starts with a full mortgage pre-approval, not just a pre-qualification.

Once your realtor helps you establish a pricing and timing strategy for your sale, a full pre-approval helps you:

• Understand how sale proceeds affect your next purchase
• Confirm realistic price ranges for your replacement home
• Strengthen offers when you’re ready to buy
• Coordinate timing between sale and purchase
• Avoid surprises after your home is under contract

Pre-qualification is often based on estimates and unverified information. A true pre-approval involves a full review of income, assets, credit, and loan options—so your realtor and lender can build a realistic plan around your next move.

As a mortgage professional serving Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Merced, Modesto, and communities throughout the Central Valley, I work closely with realtors to help sellers transition smoothly from selling to buying—with clarity and confidence.

Why Your Realtor Is the Quarterback of the Sell-Then-Buy Strategy

Selling and buying is not a solo effort—it’s a team process. And your realtor is the quarterback.

A strong Realtor helps guide:

• Pricing and listing strategy
• Market timing and buyer demand
• Repair decisions and cost-benefit analysis
• Negotiations, credits, and concessions
• Contract timelines and contingencies
• Coordination between sale and purchase

Your realtor protects your interests while working closely with your lender, escrow, inspectors, and other parties. Their experience becomes even more valuable when you’re managing two transactions instead of one.

My Role: Supporting the Realtor and Your Next Purchase

My role is to support both you and your realtor with clear communication, strong pre-approvals, and loan strategies tailored to your post-sale goals.

• If you already have a realtor, I’m happy to work alongside them
• If you don’t, I’m always glad to refer you to a knowledgeable Central Valley realtor
• If you’re unsure whether selling first makes sense, we can walk through scenarios together

The goal is simple: smart preparation, coordinated timing, and confident decisions—before the next chapter begins.

Planning to Sell in 2026? Start With the Right Conversations

If selling—and possibly buying again—is on your 2026 goals list, the order of your steps matters.

• Talk to a realtor before making repairs
• Build a sale strategy first
• Get fully pre-approved once your buying plan is clear
• Work with a team that communicates from day one

If you’d like to discuss your options or need a trusted realtor referral, I’m always happy to help.

Contact Information

Rob Clark
Home Loan Consultant
Firestone Financial Group

📞 209-227-7745 | 559-476-9279
📧 rbrtclark53@gmail.com
🌐 www.robertclarkloans.com

NMLS #357788
DRE #01148307

Equal Housing Lender. All loans subject to credit approval. Programs, rates, and terms subject to change without notice. Not a commitment to lend.