How a Strategic Home Launch Can Maximize Your Sale Price in Sonoma & Marin County

In today’s Sonoma and Marin County real estate market, how you launch your home matters just as much as the home itself.

Buyers are more informed. Inventory moves in waves. And days on market can significantly influence both perception and final sale price.

That’s why we use Compass’ 3-Phase Marketing Strategy — a structured, intentional approach designed to build demand, gather feedback, and position your home for maximum impact before it ever officially hits the MLS.

Here’s how it works.

Phase 1: Private Exclusive

Before your home is visible to the public, it can be introduced quietly to the Compass network.

Private Exclusives allow us to:

• Test pricing strategy

• Generate early interest

• Gather agent feedback

• Protect your privacy

• Avoid accruing days on market

In many cases across Sonoma and Marin Counties, serious buyers are already working closely with agents and are ready to move — especially in competitive or low-inventory price points.

This phase creates an opportunity to generate interest without the pressure of public exposure.

Phase 2: Coming Soon

Once we’ve refined positioning and gathered insight, your home transitions into “Coming Soon.”

During this phase:

• Your home becomes visible on Compass.com

• Professional photography and marketing assets are fully deployed

• We begin strategic promotion

• Buyers and agents can prepare before launch

Importantly, your home still does not accumulate official days on market during this period.

This allows us to build anticipation — so that when your home officially goes live, demand is already in motion.

Phase 3: Active on MLS

This is the official public launch.

By the time your home reaches this stage:

• Pricing has been validated

• Marketing materials are polished

• Early interest has been cultivated

• Showing momentum is already building

Rather than “hoping” the market responds, we launch with strategy and data.

And in today’s market, strategic launches consistently outperform rushed listings.

Why Days on Market Matters More Than Ever

Buyers pay attention to how long a home sits.

Extended days on market can:

• Create buyer hesitation

• Signal overpricing

• Reduce negotiating leverage

• Lead to price reductions

The 3-Phase approach helps protect your home’s first impression — which is often the strongest leverage point in a sale.

Is the 3-Phase Strategy Right for Every Seller?

Not always.

Some homes benefit from a direct MLS launch. Others benefit from privacy, off-market exposure, or targeted buyer outreach.

Our role is to evaluate:

• Your specific neighborhood

• Your price point

• Current buyer demand

• Seasonal timing

• Broader Sonoma & Marin County market trends

Then we build a strategy tailored to your goals.

Selling in 2026? Preparation Is the Advantage

The most successful home sales we see aren’t reactive — they’re prepared.

Whether you’re:

• Downsizing

• Relocating

• Moving up

• Exploring a 1031 exchange

• Or simply curious what your home could command

Understanding your options early gives you control.

If selling this year is even a possibility, this is the season to start planning.

We’re happy to walk you through how a strategic launch could look for your property — confidentially and without pressure.

Amanda Kent Sandoval & Margaret Kent
Mother-Daughter Realtors
Serving Sonoma County & Marin County

We’re realtors, moms, locals, and dog lovers serving Sonoma County and Marin County, who love sharing everything about where we live and the neighborhoods we explore. Follow along by signing up for our weekly newsletter with local favorites and the latest in real estate.