The median home price in New Jersey has hit $549,100. What’s driving this growth? Well, buyers prefer homes in the Garden State for various reasons. The urban-suburban lifestyle, strong job market and top-notch educational opportunities it offers are some of them.
Wondering how to sell your house in New Jersey? Don’t worry! Selling a home in NJ can be profitable if you sell during the best time. Moreover, with some planning, selling property in New Jersey can be smoother than a weekend stroll along the Jersey Shore boardwalk!
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 New Jersey Flat Fee MLS service, a discount broker, or a full-service Realtor.
- Houzeo, New Jersey’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 New Jersey, 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 New Jersey
Do you want to sell your house but not sure how to? Here are a few simple steps you can follow to sell a house in New Jersey:
Step 1: Prep Your Home for Sale
Buyers in NJ love homes with a character. When your home is up against colonial charmers and tree-lined streets, first impressions make a difference. So, focus on curb appeal to make your home look more presentable.
Here are 3 tips to make homes for sale in New Jersey stand out:
- Landscape Thoughtfully: Redesign your front and back yards to reflect local nature. Plant native shrubs and trees like red maple, eastern red cedar, and beach plum.
- Repaint the House: A fresh coat of NJ-inspired paints can make your house pop. Go for shades like navy blue, sandy beige, or rich greens.
- Highlight Outdoor Spaces: Style your front porch or patio with swinging chairs, seasonal plants, or string lights. Buyers in the Garden State love outdoor spaces with coastal weekend vibes!
Step 2: Stage Your Home and Click Photos
A well-staged home can dazzle like the red maples along the Garden State Parkway in October. While traditional home staging is always an option, you can try virtual home staging to quicken the process.
Follow these tips to stage your home:
- Declutter and Clean the House: The cleaner your home looks, the better. You can tidy up the garage, organize the basement, or power-wash the front steps.
- Showcase Practical Features: Homebuyers in NJ appreciate functionality. If your home has smart thermostats, or upgraded heating systems, highlight them in your listing.
- Focus on Spacious Living Spaces: Buyers look for homes that feel bright and airy. Show off your home’s big windows, skylights, and sunrooms.
- 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 New Jersey, 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 New Jersey.
- Flat Fee MLS – $249: If you want to sell your home yourself, you can list on MLS in New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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
In Feb 2025, 16.5% of homes in New Jersey sold with price drops. Inaccurate pricing forces properties to stay longer on the market. It’s important to understand market trends to know how to price your home.
Here’s how to avoid overpricing your property:
- Study the Real Estate Market in NC: An overpriced home stays on the market for longer than a rush-hour drive through the Holland Tunnel. So, review the latest New Jersey home pricing trends to set a competitive listing price that aligns with the market conditions.
- Use Online Home Valuation Tools: Use a free home value estimator to calculate your home’s Fair Market Value (FMV). Price your home slightly above its FMV to attract buyers and have a profitable home sale.
- Get a CMA: Your agent conducts your home’s Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). It helps you to understand your home’s worth based on its features and location. A CMA makes it easier for you to quote the right price for your home.
Step 5: Handle Showings and Manage Offers
Once your listing is active, buyers searching for New Jersey houses for sale will submit showing requests. Here’s what to 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 top-tier listing can get lost like a secluded spot in the Pine Barrens. So, 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 NJ is like making a classic hoagie—you need the perfect blend of ingredients to make it stand out!
Step 6: Ensure Your Home Is Inspection-Ready
A home appraisal is the fair valuation of a house. Buyers conduct your home’s appraisal to ensure that they aren’t paying more than your home’s FMV.
Your home’s condition largely affects your home’s appraisal and sale price. Buyers also conduct a home inspection to examine the structural and functional aspects of your home.
👉 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 home selling steps and you’ll be good to go:
- Gather All Documents: Before you sell your house in New Jersey, 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 New Jersey includes taxes on selling a house, like Transfer Tax and Property Tax (each around 1-3%). Closing costs for sellers in NJ also consist of HOA, real estate attorney, and home warranty fees.
Quick Summary – How Does Selling a House in New Jersey Work?
The right process of selling a house in New Jersey is the key. The first step is to prepare your home for sale. Then, you click photos and 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.
Remember, selling your home in New Jersey can feel like a day Jersey Shore—relaxing and, with the right approach, rewarding!
» Houzeo Reviews: Read what people say about Houzeo—New Jersey’s best home selling website.
