February 19, 2026
Thinking about selling in Lakeway but not sure which prep projects will actually move the needle? You are not alone. Many sellers want a polished launch but prefer to keep cash free for their next move. In this guide, you will learn how Compass Concierge can fund strategic upgrades that today’s Lake Travis buyers value, what to prioritize in Lakeway, and the step‑by‑step timeline Sarah uses to manage everything from bids to photography. Let’s dive in.
Compass Concierge fronts the cost of pre‑sale services so you can hit the market looking your best without paying upfront. Eligible work can include staging, paint, flooring, minor kitchen or bath updates, landscaping, professional photography, and more. You repay the balance at closing from your proceeds, or earlier if certain events in your loan agreement occur. For program basics, review the Compass Concierge overview.
Concierge capital is provided by a pay‑at‑close lender (Notable, also called Concierge Capital), not the brokerage. Sellers apply, funds are approved for a defined scope, and invoices are paid through a seller portal that supports card and bank payments. Notable markets the product as nothing due until closing, with any fees or interest disclosed in the loan agreement. Learn more about the lender experience on Notable’s product page.
Important notes: Compass materials explain repayment is typically due when the home sells, if the listing is terminated or delisted, or after a set time period stated in the agreement. Program terms and eligibility can vary by state and are always subject to underwriting. Review your agreement carefully and ask questions before work begins.
Lakeway sits in the move‑up and luxury bracket, where presentation and outdoor living often drive results. Recent data from Realtor.com’s Lakeway market page place median values in the high six figures, with days on market higher than the pandemic peaks. In plain terms, you are competing for attention in a slower, more selective environment.
At the same time, many Austin‑area owners are staying put longer, which affects inventory flow and timing. That trend was highlighted in a February 2026 update from Axios on Central Texas ownership patterns (Austin homeowners are staying put). The takeaway for sellers: focus on a launch that looks move‑in ready and emphasizes the Lake Travis lifestyle from the first photo.
Professional staging and photography are the first Concierge line items to consider. The National Association of Realtors reports that many agents saw a 1 to 10 percent increase in dollar offers for staged homes, and a large share said staging reduced time on market. You can review the highlights in NAR’s 2025 staging profile (NAR report on staging and sale prices). In Lakeway, Sarah prioritizes the living room, kitchen, and primary suite because these rooms anchor buyer perception online and in person.
Fresh, neutral interior paint, updated lighting, deep cleaning, and decluttering photograph beautifully and suggest careful ownership. These are quick, cost‑effective upgrades that Notable and Compass commonly fund and that buyers notice right away. If your home is already tidy, think about a targeted edit and a lighting tune‑up to remove color temperature mismatches that can appear harsh in photos.
In Lakeway, the lake lifestyle sells. Outdoor entertaining areas, views, and proximity to marina amenities are core buyer motivations. The community’s club culture, including popular enclaves such as Rough Hollow, makes decks and patios, grills, lighting, and tidy landscaping especially relevant. For context on why outdoor amenities resonate, browse the Rough Hollow club and marina experience.
Use Concierge funds for landscaping, pressure washing, front door and garage door updates, and simple hardscape staging. Consider pool service and accent lighting to freshen twilight shots. Save large structural or shoreline projects for a separate analysis because they often require HOA and city approvals and can have longer timelines. The Cost vs Value data show major upscale remodels tend to recoup less and can be disruptive.
Sarah can tailor a three‑phase rollout using Private Exclusive, Coming Soon, then public MLS launch where permitted by local rules. The goal is to build early interest without piling on public days on market while final touches wrap. Review launch options and program context on the Compass Concierge page.
As you approach closing, Sarah coordinates final invoices and payoff instructions so Notable is repaid from sale proceeds according to your loan agreement. Closing coordination happens alongside your escrow and title team so the balance is satisfied at funding.
Say your Lakeway home is positioned around $800,000. You approve a $20,000 Concierge plan focused on staging, paint, and a light kitchen refresh. If those changes generate a modest 1 to 3 percent uplift in offers, the sale price could rise by $8,000 to $24,000. That range lines up with findings in NAR’s staging profile, which reports many agents saw a 1 to 10 percent increase in offers for staged homes (NAR staging report).
This illustration is not a guarantee because every home and timing window is different. The point is to run the math with realistic comps, then target only the smallest set of projects with a credible path to stronger positioning at launch. Sarah does that analysis up front and keeps costs inside neighborhood expectations, using national benchmarks like Cost vs Value and NAR’s Remodeling Impact to prioritize.
If you want a clean, choreographed path from make‑ready to market that protects your time and your net, let’s talk about a tailored Concierge plan for your address. Reach out to Sarah McAloon to review comps, scope the smallest set of high‑impact updates, and set your launch timeline.
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