Homes in Michigan are spending just around 23 days on the market. Plus, the median home sale prices increased to $269,500. Wonder how? It’s simple一with a strong job market, plus affordable cost of living, the state is drawing in buyers fast!
Now that spring is here, sellers hold the keys to a hot market. In fact, this could be the best time to sell your house in Michigan—smooth, like a cruise along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
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 Michigan Flat Fee MLS service, a discount broker, or a full-service Realtor.
- Houzeo, Michigan’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 Michigan, 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 Easy Steps to Selling a House in Michigan
Home sales in Michigan are not as complicated as you might think. You just need to follow these simple steps to sell your home fast:
Step 1: Prep Your Home for Sale
First impressions matter, especially in Michigan’s competitive market with stunning views and historic charm. So, focus on the curb appeal of your home to make it look more presentable. Here are 3 tips to make homes for sale in Michigan the talk of the block:
- Redo the Landscaping: Design your home’s garden strip or front stoop using local greens. Go for plants like black-eyed Susans and coneflowers to create a welcoming space.
- Repaint the House: A new layer of paint can work wonders. Use colors like soft greens, warm grays, or lake-inspired blues to make it look vibrant.
- Highlight Outdoor Spaces: Homebuyers in Michigan are generally drawn to outdoor living. So, whether your outdoor space is a patio, front porch, or backyard, ensure that it is inviting.
Step 2: Stage Your Home and Click Photos
A well-staged home sells faster than a cherry pie at a summer festival in Traverse City. You can stick with traditional staging or give virtual home staging a shot. It can pull buyers like a breezy evening on the Detroit Riverwalk. Here’s how you can make your house shine:
- Declutter and Clean the House: Empty the garage, clean the roof, and pressure-wash the driveway to have a clean and inviting look.
- Showcase Practical Features: Michigan buyers often look for energy-efficient and weather-ready upgrades like impact-resistant windows or smart home technology. Highlight these in your listing, if any.
- Focus on Spacious Living Spaces: Buyers prefer large windows, natural lighting, and airy rooms. Emphasize these features in your staging and consider the usage of bright colors to make it look spacious.
- 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 sell a house in Michigan, 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. However, they charge a hefty 5% to 6% real estate commission in Michigan.
- Flat Fee MLS – $249: If you want to sell your home yourself, you can list on MLS in Michigan 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 Michigan 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
When a property is priced inaccurately, it tends to stay on the market longer than it should. For instance, in April 2025, 26.1% of homes in Michigan sold only after price drops. But worry not! Here’s how to price your home just right:
- Check Local Housing Market Trends: Study the Michigan Housing Market trends in cities like Grand Rapids and Lansing to set a competitive price. Price your home too high, and it’ll stick around longer than a line for fudge on Mackinac Island.
- Use Online Home Valuation Tools: Use our 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.
Step 5: Handle Showings and Review Offers
Once your listing is active, buyers searching for Michigan houses for sale will submit showing requests. Here’s what to do next:
- Actively Manage Showings: Promptly accept and confirm any showing requests to create a good impression. Don’t cancel scheduled showings at the last moment; communicate clearly about clashes.
- Host an Open House: Even a luxuriously-staged home can go unnoticed, like a pinecone in the forests of Mount Hood. Consult your agent and announce an open house to attract buyers actively.
- Review and Counter Offers: If you only get one offer, you might have to reduce your asking price. But if you’ve got multiple offers, it’s time to negotiate and find the best one.
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. Follow these steps, and you’ll cross the finish line as smoothly as a ferry ride to Mackinac Island.”
- Gather All Documents: Before you sell a house in Michigan, 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.
- Transfer Ownership: Sign the escrow and title documents to transfer ownership. Once done, you’ll receive the funds, and the buyer’s name will get registered in the public record.
- Closing Costs: The cost of selling a house in Michigan includes taxes on selling a house, like Transfer Tax and Property Tax. Also, closing costs for sellers in Michigan consist of HOA, real estate attorney, and home warranty fees.
Quick Summary 📝
Whether you’re in the heart of Detroit or near the shores of Lake Michigan, having the right strategy is key to selling a house in Michigan. Start by preparing your home for sale and taking high-quality photos. Then, decide how to list your home.
Remember to price your home based on local trends. Once your listing is live, you start getting showing requests. The buyer will conduct your home’s inspection before you can finally close the deal.
Don’t forget—selling your home in Michigan can be exciting, rewarding, and well worth the planning, just like a drive along Lake Michigan in the fall.
» Houzeo Reviews: Read what people say about Houzeo—Michigan’s best home selling website.
