The more you decide upfront, the less the market decides for you.
If you want a smoother sale, I would make the key decisions before your home ever goes live. In Lake Elsinore, CA, recent conditions still favor sellers, but surprises usually come from weak preparation, not from the market itself.
Supply recently measured 2.37 months, recent closings reached 99.6% of asking, and a typical sold price was $580,000. The typical asking price was $599,999, and a typical sale took 48 days. That tells me sellers in Lake Elsinore, CA still have opportunity, but they need a plan they can actually execute.
I would not wait until showings begin to decide where you are flexible. Preparation is what reduces surprises. When your pricing, condition, and response strategy are already clear, you are far less likely to get pulled off course by the first piece of buyer feedback or the first offer that is not exactly what you expected.
Decide your pricing posture before launch. Handle the repairs and presentation issues that would weaken buyer confidence. Make the hard choices early. I would also outline your negotiation priorities now so you can respond from clarity later.
