Homes in North Dakota are spending just around 53 days on the market. Moreover, the median home sale price is $298,500. Wonder how? It’s simple一with the low property taxes and affordable living, the state is drawing in buyers fast!
Now that summer is here, sellers are calling the shots in a super hot market. This could be the best time to sell your house in North Dakota一smooth, like a warm cup of cocoa after a snowy Fargo 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 North Dakota Flat Fee MLS service, a discount broker, or a full-service Realtor.
- Houzeo, North Dakota’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 North Dakota, 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 North Dakota
Home sales in North Dakota 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 North Dakota’s competitive market with open plains, charming neighborhoods, and prairie sunsets. So, focus on curb appeal to make your home look more presentable. Here are 3 tips to showcase homes for sale in North Dakota:
- Redo the Landscaping: Redesign your front and back yards to showcase North Dakota’s natural liveliness. Plant flowers like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and junipers to create a welcoming space.
- Repaint the House: A new layer of paint can work wonders. Use colors like wheat beige, soft gray, and barn red to make your house look warm and new.
- Highlight Outdoor Spaces: Homebuyers in North Dakota 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 hot cocoa at a winter fair in Fargo. You can stick with traditional staging or give virtual home staging a shot. It can draw buyers like a summer night at the North Dakota State Fair. Here’s how you can make your house stand out:
- Declutter and Clean the House: Empty the garage, clean the roof, and pressure-wash the driveway to have an appealing look.
- Showcase Practical Features: Buyers usually look for insulation and storm-ready upgrades like triple-pane windows, energy-efficient furnaces, and updated roofing suited for winter. Highlight these in your listing, if any.
- Focus on 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 confused about how to sell a house in North Dakota, worry no more! You can choose from the 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 North Dakota.
- Flat Fee MLS – $399: If you want to sell your home yourself, you can list on MLS in North Dakota for a flat fee. With Houzeo, your home can be on the MLS for just $399.
- 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 North Dakota 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. In fact, in Feb 2025, 13% of homes in North Dakota sold only after price drops. But worry not! Here’s how to price your home just right:
- Check Local Housing Market Trends: Study the North Dakota home prices in cities like Fargo and Bismarck to set a smart price. Price your home too high, and it’ll sit longer than a pot of chili at a winter tailgate.
- Use Online Home Valuation Tools: Use a free home value estimator to calculate your home’s Fair Market Value.
- Get a CMA: A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) helps you understand your home’s worth based on its features and location.
Step 5: Handle Showings and Manage Offers
Once your listing is active, buyers searching for North Dakota 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, and communicate clearly about clashes.
- Host an Open House: Even a luxuriously-staged home can disappear like footprints in freshly fallen snow if it’s not marketed right. 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 reach the finish line as smoothly as a drive through the Badlands Scenic Byway.
- Gather All Documents: Before you sell a house in North Dakota, 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: You have to sign the escrow paperwork, title deed, and other documents to transfer ownership to the buyer. 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 North Dakota includes taxes on selling a house, like Transfer Tax and Property Tax. Also, closing costs for sellers in North Dakota consist of HOA, real estate attorney, and home warranty fees.
Quick Summary 📝
Whether you’re in the heart of Fargo or near the quiet beauty of Devils Lake, having the right plan is key to selling a home in the Peace Garden State. Start by preparing your home for sale and taking high-quality 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—North Dakota’s best home selling website.
