Want top dollar for your Raleigh home without writing a check for prep work up front? If you are eyeing a smooth sale and a standout presentation, you are not alone. Many high‑end sellers want turnkey results, clear timelines, and help managing every detail. This guide shows how Compass Concierge works in Raleigh and Wake County, what projects it covers, how the vendor process runs, and what to expect with permits, repayment, and disclosure. Let’s dive in.
Compass Concierge, in plain English
Compass Concierge advances funds for pre‑sale home improvements, staging, and market‑readiness so you can launch with no upfront out‑of‑pocket costs. The advance is typically repaid from your sale proceeds at closing. Local availability and terms vary, so you should confirm details with your Compass agent.
Eligible services usually include professional staging, painting, flooring, deep cleaning, landscaping, small repairs, lighting updates, and full marketing assets like photography and video. The focus is on cosmetic, market‑ready work rather than major structural changes.
Why Raleigh sellers use it
Raleigh and Wake County buyers, especially in the upper tiers, respond to homes that feel move‑in ready. Presentation, finishes, and outdoor living areas can influence both price and days on market. Concierge helps you complete the right projects without delaying your launch while giving your home a polished first impression.
When presentation matters, a coordinated plan reduces friction. You get vendor management, design guidance, and a smoother path from walkthrough to live listing.
What projects qualify
Here are common pre‑list projects that fit well in Raleigh’s high‑end market:
- Professional staging and furniture rental
- Deep cleaning, decluttering, and organization
- Interior painting, from accent walls to full‑home refreshes
- Flooring replacement or refinishing, including hardwood and large‑format tile
- Kitchen and bath refreshes, such as cabinet painting, new hardware, countertops, and backsplash
- Lighting upgrades and smart fixture replacements
- Millwork, trim repair, cosmetic carpentry, and built‑in updates
- Landscaping and curb appeal improvements, including hardscape touch‑ups and porch staging
- Minor exterior repairs within program limits
- Professional photography, videography, 3D tours, and marketing collateral
What is usually not covered
- Major structural renovations or additions
- Projects with long permitting windows and heavy structural work
- Full gut remodels that add significant time and complexity
Typical Raleigh timelines
Actual schedules depend on scope, contractor availability, and permitting. These are common ranges for our market:
- Staging and photography: 1 to 2 weeks
- Interior painting, whole home: 1 to 2 weeks
- Flooring replacement, select rooms: 1 to 3 weeks
- Kitchen refresh, such as cabinet and counter updates: 2 to 6 weeks
- Landscape and curb appeal: 1 to 2 weeks
- Larger permit‑dependent renovations: 4 to 12+ weeks
Most sellers plan a 2 to 8 week path from initial walkthrough to listing live date. If you need speed, prioritize staging, paint, lighting, landscaping, and a deep clean.
How Whalen & Co. manages vendors
You should expect a hands‑on, organized process designed for quality and efficiency. Here is how a local Compass team like Whalen & Co. typically leads your project.
Selecting the right vendors
- Pre‑vetted network experienced with luxury finishes and local rules
- Licensing and insurance verified for each trade
- References and recent portfolio checks
- Clear warranty and service commitments for workmanship and materials
Contracting and scope
- Written, itemized estimates with materials and target completion dates
- Documented change order process to avoid surprises
- Payment schedule aligned to Concierge workflows, with vendors typically paid directly upon approved invoices
On‑site supervision and quality control
- Dedicated coordinator to schedule crews, track materials, and align staging and photography
- Milestone check‑ins and a punch list before photos and showings
- Lien waivers collected at final payment for your protection
- Final staging and photography review to confirm readiness
Risk and contingencies
- Early permit checks to avoid delays, with a focus on cosmetic projects when timing is tight
- Clear documentation of what happens if a sale does not close and how expenses are handled
- Confirmation of vendor insurance and homeowner coverage for on‑site work
Money, permits, and disclosures
Repayment at closing
Concierge advances are typically repaid from your sale proceeds, with no upfront payment required. Specific fees and terms can vary by market and agreement, so review the Compass program documents with your agent and confirm in writing.
Permits and code compliance
Work that requires permits should follow Wake County and City of Raleigh processes. Permit‑dependent projects can extend timelines, so identify needs early. Keeping work permitted and inspected where required helps avoid post‑sale issues.
Documentation and disclosures
North Carolina sellers must complete required property disclosures. Cosmetic updates do not usually change your disclosure obligations, but you must disclose material defects or changes. Keep invoices, permits, and warranties for any work completed so you can share documentation with serious buyers.
Taxes and accounting
Cosmetic improvements completed before sale may affect your tax basis. Concierge‑funded work repaid at closing generally functions like seller‑funded improvements. Always confirm details with a tax advisor.
Your step‑by‑step Concierge roadmap
Follow this simple flow to go from walkthrough to closing.
- Initial consultation and valuation (about 1 week)
- Agent walkthrough, market valuation, and recommended scope.
- Scope selection and estimate (about 1 week)
- Prioritized project list, written estimates, approvals.
- Contracting and scheduling (1 to 2 weeks)
- Sign Concierge and vendor documents, order materials, request permits if needed.
- Project execution (1 to 6+ weeks)
- Vendors complete work, coordinator manages progress and punch list.
- Final staging and photography (3 to 7 days)
- Staging install, professional photos, video, and 3D tour.
- Listing launch and marketing (launch week)
- MLS goes live, buyer outreach and showings begin.
- Offer, closing, and repayment (contract to close timeline)
- Sale proceeds applied to repay Concierge advances and final invoices; provide warranties and documentation to buyer.
Request Your Home Valuation to see which improvements will deliver the best return for your home. If you prefer a deeper planning session, consider a Concierge consultation to map out scope, budget, and timing.
Ready to maximize your sale?
If you want a polished, low‑stress launch with clear timelines and vetted vendors, Concierge can be a powerful tool. You get targeted updates, a coordinated team, and a market‑ready result without paying upfront. When the details are handled for you, you can focus on your next move.
Have questions about eligibility, scope, or timing for your home in Raleigh or nearby suburbs? Connect with Courtney Whalen to review your options and get a tailored plan.
FAQs
Who qualifies for Compass Concierge in Raleigh?
- Sellers who list exclusively with a Compass agent are generally eligible, but local availability and terms vary and should be confirmed with your agent.
What costs do I pay and when in a Concierge sale?
- The program typically advances funds for approved projects, which you repay from sale proceeds at closing, with specific fees and terms detailed in your Concierge agreement.
How long does pre‑list work take for a typical Raleigh home?
- Many homes move from walkthrough to live listing in 2 to 8 weeks, depending on scope, contractor schedules, and whether permits are required.
Who picks and manages vendors with Whalen & Co.?
- Your team uses a pre‑vetted network, verifies licensing and insurance, manages scheduling, and oversees quality through milestones and a final punch list.
What if my home does not sell after using Concierge?
- Confirm in writing how repayment works if a sale does not close, since terms can vary by market and program agreement.
Do I need permits for pre‑sale updates in Wake County?
- Some work requires permits under Wake County or City of Raleigh rules; your team will flag permit‑dependent items early so you can plan timelines accordingly.
