The median home price in Cincinnati has jumped to $272,500! What’s fueling this surge? It’s the renaissance momentum and corporate headquarters magnet effect. Add in limited housing stock in coveted neighborhoods, and you’ve got the perfect homebuyer hotspot!
Now’s the perfect time to make your move! Summer’s here, and selling your home in Cincinnati now can be as smooth as a stroll through the cobblestone streets or as effortless as wandering through Findlay Market on a Saturday morning.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Prepare your home for sale with enhanced curb appeal, neutral decor, tropical landscaping, and clean outdoor spaces.
- Decide how you want to sell, whether it’s with a local Cincinnati Flat Fee MLS service, a discount broker, or a full-service Realtor.
- Houzeo, Cincinnati’s #1 home selling website, can save you thousands in agent fees. Your home will also be on the MLS within 48 hours.
- Before you price your home in Cincinnati, check the current median home price, recent sales, and mortgage rates.
- Conduct showings to attract buyers. Also, review offers quickly and negotiate smartly.
- Finally, schedule utility transfers, pay your closing costs, and prepare to move out.
7 Steps to Selling a House in Cincinnati
For a seamless sale, just follow this step-by-step guide on how to sell your house in Cincinnati:
Step 1: Prep Your Home for Sale
First impressions matter—especially in Cincinnati, where you might compete against charming historic homes in German Village and beautifully maintained properties in Indian Hill. So, focus on curb appeal to make your home look more presentable.
Here are 3 tips to make homes for sale in Cincinnati stand out:
- Redo the Landscaping: Enhance your home’s curb appeal with a front porch that radiates city charm. A pair of classic rocking chairs, a locally made doormat from Findlay Market, and thoughtfully arranged planters create an inviting first impression that resonates with buyers.
- Repaint the House: A fresh coat of paint in colors that complement architectural heritage can make your house pop. Go for shades that honor the city’s roots, like warm grays, classic whites, or deep navy blues that pair beautifully with the red brick.
- Highlight Outdoor Spaces: Stage your front porches and patios with outdoor furniture that speaks to Cincinnati’s love of outdoor entertaining. Homebuyers in Cincinnati are drawn to spaces perfect for hosting Bengals game day gatherings or summer barbecues.
Step 2: Stage Your Home and Click Photos
A well-staged home can shine like the sunrise over the Ohio River, and attract buyers like Graeter’s ice cream draws crowds on a summer evening. While traditional home staging is always an option, you can try virtual home staging to stage your home digitally.
Follow these tips to stage your home:
- Declutter and Clean the House: The cleaner your home looks, the better. Empty the basement, clean out any musty odors common in humid Ohio summers, and pressure-wash your driveway and front steps to make that classic Cincinnati brick pop.
- Showcase Weather-Ready Features: Homebuyers in Cincinnati prioritize durability and energy efficiency for the unpredictable weather. So, highlight any storm-resistant features, updated electrical systems, or newer roofing that can handle everything.
- Focus on Cozy Living Spaces: Buyers love rooms that feel warm and inviting during Cincinnati’s long winters. If your home offers features like fireplaces, large windows with natural light, or open floor plans, make sure to emphasize them in your staging.
- Include a Home Tour Video: Home listings with videos get 403% more views than those without it. So, make a video that shows your property in the best light!
Step 3: Decide How to List Your House
If you’re wondering how to list your house on the MLS in Cincinnati, you have multiple options! Here are 4 options most sellers go for:
- Full-Service Realtors – Up to 6%: These Realtors provide various services from list to close, but charge a hefty 5% to 6% real estate commission in Cincinnati.
- Flat Fee MLS – $249: If you want to sell your home yourself, you can list on MLS in Ohio for a flat fee. With Houzeo, your home can be on the MLS for just $249.
- Discount Real Estate Brokers: These brokers charge a lower fee than traditional agents, and offer services like contract reviews and negotiation assistance. Discount real estate brokers in Cincinnati charge between 0.5% and 2% as commission.
- Cash Buyers: They help you sell your home fast for cash. With cash buyers, you can get competitive all-cash offers and close on your terms.
- For Sale By Owner: You can sell your home FSBO without hiring an agent. This gives you full control over the process and helps you save thousands on agent commissions.
Step 4: Price Your Home Competitively
Inaccurate pricing forces properties to stay longer on the market. In fact, in Jan 2025, 22.8% of homes in Cincinnati sold with price drops. But, worry not! Here’s how to price your home right:
- Check Cincinnati Housing Market Trends: Overpricing will leave your home on the market longer than a Bengals fan waiting for another Super Bowl appearance. Review the latest trends of Cincinnati home prices to set a competitive price that aligns with market conditions.
- Use Online Home Valuation Tools: Price your home high, and it spends more days on market. Price too low, and you’re at a loss. Use a free home value estimator to calculate your home’s Fair Market Value.
- Get a CMA: A Comparative Market Analysis helps you understand your home’s worth based on its features and location. With your listing agent’s guidance, you can then quote the right price.
Step 5: Handle Showings and Manage Offers
Once your listing is active, buyers searching for Cincinnati houses for sale will submit showing requests. Here’s what you should do next:
- Actively Manage Showings: Promptly accept and confirm any showing requests. Remember to create a good impression. Don’t cancel scheduled showings at the last moment, communicate clearly about clashes, and be a pleasant host.
- Host an Open House: Even a luxuriously-staged home can get lost like a tourist trying to find parking during Oktoberfest in Over-the-Rhine. Consult your agent and announce an open house to attract buyers.
- Review and Counter Offers: If you only get one offer, you might have to reduce your asking price. But if many buyers show interest in your home, you can either negotiate or choose the highest and best offer.
➡️ Remember: Selling a house in Cincinnati is like waiting for the Bengals to make the playoffs—you need patience, the right bait, and a bit of luck!
Step 6: Ensure Your Home Is Inspection-Ready
Usually, buyers will schedule a home inspection to check for any issues, while the lender orders a home appraisal to figure out the market value. So, fix up any small repairs ahead of time—no one likes nasty surprises!
Being ready for both keeps things smooth and your home’s value strong. It’s all about making sure the buyer feels good and the lender feels confident, so your sale stays on track.
👉 All Set to Sell Your Home? List on the MLS Now!
Step 7: Prepare for Closing Day
Closing day can be emotional, but don’t overlook the formalities. Just follow these final steps and you’ll be good to go:
- Gather All Documents: Before you sell a house in Cincinnati, keep the paperwork for selling a house by owner ready. This includes the affidavit of title, deed, purchase agreement, tax records, settlement statement, 1099-S tax form, etc.
- Prepare to Move Out: Pack up your belongings and get ready to bid your home goodbye.
- Transfer Ownership: Sign the escrow and title documents to transfer ownership. Once done, you’ll receive the funds and the buyer’s name gets registered in public record.
- Closing Costs: The cost of selling a house in Cincinnati includes taxes on selling a house, like Transfer Tax and Property Tax (each around 1-3%). Closing costs for sellers in Cincinnati also consist of HOA, real estate attorney, and home warranty fees.
Quick Summary 📝
Whether you are in the heart of Miami or on the Gulf Coast, the right strategy is what you need to sell a house in the Sunshine State. To start, prepare your home for sale, and click photos. Then, decide how to list your home.
Remember to price your home after checking the local trends. When your listing is live, you start getting showing requests. The buyer will conduct your home’s inspection before you can finally close the deal.
» Houzeo Reviews: Read what people say about Houzeo—Cincinnati’s best home selling website.
