Home Selling Guide • South Florida • 10-Minute Read

South Florida Home Selling Guide: The Marketing Plan, Timeline, and Costs Sellers Need to Know

Selling a home is an emotional decision — and the best way to protect your price is to run a plan that creates attention early, builds urgency, and keeps the transaction moving cleanly to closing. This guide breaks down the process sellers should expect, based on the RESF Home Selling Guide.

By Scott Lehr • The Listing Team at RESF Updated: January 8, 2026 Pricing • Marketing • Timelines • Closing Costs

Download the PDF Seller Marketing Plan Timeline FAQs

Most sellers focus on the obvious questions: “What can I get?” and “How fast can it sell?” The smarter question is: “What’s the plan that produces the best result with the least risk?”

The RESF Home Selling Guide outlines a proven system that centers on three things: pricing correctly, preparing the home for maximum online impact, and distributing the listing everywhere serious buyers look. When those pieces work together, the home attracts attention early — and early attention is what protects your negotiating power. :contentReference[oaicite:1]

Tell-it-like-it-is: Overpricing is the fastest way to lose momentum. Homes don’t “test” the market without consequences. The first 7–14 days are when motivated buyers pay the most attention, and that window matters.

The Seller Marketing Plan That Creates Real Demand

According to the guide, the marketing plan is built in phases: before the listing goes live, launch week, and ongoing exposure. Done right, it doesn’t just “advertise a home” — it creates a feeling of “we should go see that now.” :contentReference[oaicite:2]

1) Before You List: Price + Presentation

• Set the right price: Not to sit — to sell. Strategic pricing drives showings and protects leverage. :contentReference[oaicite:3]
• Details matter: Signage, brochures, staging, and polished presentation elevate perceived value. :contentReference[oaicite:4]
• Create early buzz: Broker network + client list + “coming soon” energy. :contentReference[oaicite:5]

2) Photography & Videography That Stops the Scroll

The guide highlights professional media as a core selling lever, including high-end photography and video and even aerial tours that capture the neighborhood experience. This is especially important in South Florida because buyers often short-list online before they tour in person. :contentReference[oaicite:6]

3) Staging + Virtual Staging to Maximize Perception

The guide notes access to professional staging and virtual staging services — including image touch-ups, furniture removal, and digital staging that helps buyers visualize the space cleanly and confidently. :contentReference[oaicite:7]

4) Email Marketing + Social Media Distribution

A strong campaign doesn’t rely on one platform. The guide references a large email audience and social reach that drives additional exposure through visually compelling campaigns. :contentReference[oaicite:8]

5) Individual Property Websites + Lead Capture

Dedicated property websites with unique domains (street-address style) help turn traffic into leads, and make it easier for buyers to access everything in one place: photos, video, details, and contact options. :contentReference[oaicite:9]

MLS Syndication and “Being Everywhere” Buyers Search

The guide emphasizes broad visibility: MLS exposure plus syndication to major search portals and a large network of websites. The goal is simple: serious buyers should run into your listing repeatedly across the platforms they already trust. :contentReference[oaicite:10]

Your Marketing Timeline vs Your Transaction Timeline

Sellers often confuse marketing activity with transaction progress. Marketing drives demand; transaction management drives the deal to closing. The guide lays out both. :contentReference[oaicite:11]

Marketing Timeline (What Happens Publicly)

• Pre-launch prep: staging, media, listing strategy, materials :contentReference[oaicite:12]
• Launch: MLS + syndication + signage + digital promotion :contentReference[oaicite:13]
• Ongoing: paid/organic social, email pushes, broker outreach, open houses :contentReference[oaicite:14]

Transaction Timeline (What Happens Behind the Scenes)

• Offer acceptance, escrow deposit, disclosures :contentReference[oaicite:15]
• Inspections and negotiation phases :contentReference[oaicite:16]
• Title, appraisal, underwriting, contingency removal :contentReference[oaicite:17]
• Final walk-through and closing coordination :contentReference[oaicite:18]

Seller advantage: Clean documentation, clear showing instructions, and fast responsiveness reduce buyer hesitation — and buyer hesitation is where deals fall apart.

What a Listing and Transaction Manager Actually Does

The guide outlines a structured role for listing and transaction management — from compliance and scheduling media, to creating MLS pages, coordinating marketing assets, managing communications while under contract, and preparing for closing. :contentReference[oaicite:19]

Pre-Listing Support

Document compliance, photography scheduling, listing description, MLS + marketing requests. :contentReference[oaicite:20]

Under Contract Support

Coordination with HOA (if applicable), escrow documentation, appraisal/underwriting tracking, weekly seller communication. :contentReference[oaicite:21]

Closing Support

Closing prep, attorney partnership, document readiness, MLS close-out. :contentReference[oaicite:22]

Seller Peace of Mind

Fewer surprises, clearer timelines, and fewer “where are we?” moments during escrow.

Seller Closing Costs in Florida: What to Expect

Closing costs vary by property and HOA/condo requirements, but the guide lists common categories such as brokerage, attorney fees, recording-related costs, HOA estoppel/move-out fees (if applicable), and Florida transfer taxes like documentary stamps. :contentReference[oaicite:23]

Important: Some costs are property-specific (especially condos/HOAs). The right way to avoid last-minute surprises is to review fees early and confirm what your building or HOA requires.

Explore Seller Resources by City

Thinking about selling? Start with your local market page:

Fort Lauderdale

Coastal demand + buyer traffic patterns matter a lot here.

Pembroke Pines

Pricing and condition positioning are key to speed + leverage.

Weston

Presentation and timing can strongly influence premium outcomes.

Davie

Lot size, zoning, and lifestyle messaging become big differentiators.

Hollywood

Lifestyle marketing + show-ready condition wins attention fast.

Plantation

Established neighborhoods need sharp comps and strong launch strategy.

Coral Springs

Family-driven demand responds to clean staging and clear upgrades.

Sunrise

Value positioning + home condition can create competitive pressure.

Miramar

Commuter appeal—launch timing and terms matter.

Tamarac

Buyer pool alignment (price + condition) is the lever.

Download the Full Home Selling Guide (PDF)

Want the complete seller roadmap, including the marketing and transaction timeline visuals? Download the guide here:

Download the Home Selling Guide PDF

If you’d like, I’ll also provide a pricing and prep plan customized to your property and your city.

Seller FAQs

How do you price a home to sell quickly without leaving money on the table?

Strategic pricing uses comparable sales plus current competition and buyer behavior. The goal is to attract strong attention early, which increases showings and strengthens negotiation leverage.

What marketing makes the biggest difference for South Florida sellers?

High-quality photos/video, staging (or virtual staging), email + social distribution, MLS syndication, and a strong open house/tour strategy combine to create repeated exposure where buyers already search.

What should I fix before listing?

Prioritize anything that affects first impressions: paint touch-ups, lighting, flooring condition, curb appeal, and any obvious deferred maintenance. Then stage or virtually stage to help buyers visualize the space.

What seller closing costs should I plan for in Florida?

Common categories include brokerage, attorney-related fees, recording/doc fees, HOA/condo charges (such as estoppel), and Florida transfer taxes like documentary stamps. Exact totals vary by property and HOA rules.

The Listing Team at RESF • 2440 E. Commercial Blvd, Suite 2, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 • +1 (954) 342-6180

This blog is based on the RESF Home Selling Guide and adapted for South Florida sellers looking for a clear, modern listing plan. :contentReference[oaicite:24]