Marketing a flip/rehab before you're done

[Dan Costantino]

I've heard from many that you should put the FOR SALE sign in the yard before your rehab is complete. I've also heard (and it makes sense) that you should complete the Exterior first to gain the curb appeal to generate early interest.
Well...I have a craftsman style house and the top half of the house is aluminum siding. I have a painter scheduled but he cannot fit me in until August (maybe late August). My rehab will be done before July is over.
I've called 5 other painters and they are all booked until August also.
Should I concentrate on getting a different painter in early, or let it ride? Realistically, I can't officially sell it until the end of August anyway because it is a Fannie Mae house (90 day seasoning).

[Dell Schlabach]

I am a strong proponent of having "EVERYTHING" done including landscaping, staging etc. Befor

You only get one chance to make a good first impression, about half of our houses sell the first weekend on the market.

The past year about half of our houses sold first weekend on the market.

Couple weeks ago, seven people through the house the first weekend, multiple offers, so I always expect my houses to sell within two weeks, they dont always, but I have sold enough the first weekend that I dont leave anything undone to negatively influence the potential buyers the first time they come through.

My viewpoint.