The median home price in Raleigh has jumped to $436,500! What’s behind the rise? It’s the Research Park tech boom plus a steady influx drawn by top-rated schools. Toss in incentives like property tax relief for retirees, and bingo, you’ve got a recipe for a homebuyer magnet!
Now’s the perfect time to make your move! Summers are here, and selling your home in Raleigh now can be as smooth as a Saturday wander through the Farmers Market, sampling fresh North Carolina peaches, or relaxing at a neighborhood café.
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 Raleigh Flat Fee MLS service, a discount broker, or a full-service Realtor.
- Houzeo, Raleigh’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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh
For a seamless sale, just follow this step-by-step guide on how to sell your house in Raleigh:
Step 1: Prep Your Home for Sale
First impressions matter—especially in Raleigh, where tree-lined neighborhoods and historic districts offer unique charm. So, focus on curb appeal to make your home look more presentable.
Here are 3 tips to make homes for sale in Raleigh stand out:
- Refresh the Landscaping: Integrate native North Carolina plants like dogwoods, azaleas, and hardwood shade trees. Keep lawns neat and add clusters of perennials found in local gardens, such as black-eyed Susans, for a classic Raleigh look.
- Repaint with Local Character: Opt for the soft grays, gentle greens, or the cheerful whites often seen on homes in Five Points or Oakwood. Consider a bold front door in “Carolina blue” for a touch of local pride.
- Highlight Outdoor Spaces: Style your porch with vintage rocking chairs, or create a cozy nook with reclaimed wood from Raleigh’s Warehouse District. Highlight spaces where the sounds of cicadas or the scent of spring jasmine make outdoor evenings memorable.
Step 2: Stage Your Home and Click Photos
A beautifully staged home can glow with Raleigh’s Southern charm and draw buyers in. 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: Tidy up by clearing out attics and basements, sweeping pine needles from walkways, and freshening up the porch with classic Southern touches like a hanging fern or porch swing.
- Highlight Regional Features: Raleigh buyers appreciate energy-efficient HVAC systems for the humid summers, well-insulated windows, and staple hardwood floors. Emphasize any built-in bookshelves, breakfast nooks, or wraparound porches.
- Focus on Spacious Living Spaces: Take photos in rooms with abundant natural sunlight, especially those facing mature oak trees or garden views typical in Mordecai or Boylan Heights. Arrange furniture to showcase spacious, open layouts perfect for gatherings.
- 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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh.
- Flat Fee MLS – $249: If you want to sell your home yourself, you can list on MLS in North Carolina 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 Raleigh 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 April 2025, 36.7% of homes in Raleigh sold with price drops. But, worry not! Here’s how to price your home right:
- Check Raleigh Housing Market Trends: Overpricing will leave your home sitting on the market longer than a Wolfpack fan stuck in traffic after a rivalry game. Review the latest trends of Raleigh home prices to set a competitive listing 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 Raleigh 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 beautifully staged home in Mordecai or Cameron Village can get overlooked in Raleigh’s bustling market. 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 Raleigh is like picking the perfect seat at Red Hat Amphitheater—timing, preparation, and a little good fortune go a long way!
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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh includes taxes on selling a house, like Transfer Tax and Property Tax (each around 1-3%). Closing costs for sellers in Raleigh 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—Raleigh’s best home selling website.
