The median home prices have reached $253,000. But, homes in West Virginia are spending just around 45 days on the market. Puzzled? It’s simple一with the affordable cost of living with a strong job market, the state is drawing in buyers at a steady pace.
With summer almost here, sellers hold the keys to a hot market. In fact, this could be the best time to sell your house in West Virginia一just like a scenic drive through the New River Gorge in full bloom!
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 West Virginia Flat Fee MLS service, a discount broker, or a full-service Realtor.
- Houzeo, West Virginia’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 West Virginia, 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 Simple Steps to Selling a House in West Virginia
Home sales in West Virginia 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 West Virginia’s competitive market with mountain views, rustic charm, and well-kept yards. So, focus on your home’s curb appeal to make it look more presentable. Here are 3 ways to make your home stand out:
- Redo the Landscaping: Redesign your front and back yards to give them a lush, vibrant appearance. Plant flowers like rhododendrons, mountain laurels, and dogwoods. Also, make sure the space is well-maintained.
- Repaint the House: A new layer of paint can work magic. Use colors like forest green, slate gray, or barn red to make your house look warm and new.
- Highlight Outdoor Spaces: Homebuyers in West Virginia 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 dogs at a Charleston Power game. You can stick with traditional staging or give virtual home staging a shot. It can pull in buyers like a bluegrass jam draws a crowd in Morgantown. 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 appealing look.
- Showcase Practical Features: West Virginia buyers often look for safety and sustainability upgrades like energy-efficient HVAC systems or energy-efficient appliances. Highlight these in your listing, if any.
- Focus on Spacious Living Spaces: Buyers generally 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 home in West Virginia, 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 West Virginia.
- Flat Fee MLS – $399: If you want to sell your home yourself, you can list on MLS in West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 Feb 2025, 20.3% of homes in West Virginia sold only after price drops. But worry not! Here’s how to price your home just right:
- Check West Virginia Housing Market Trends: Study the West Virginia housing market trends in cities like Charleston and Morgantown to set a competitive price. Price your home too high, and it might sit longer than morning fog in the Allegheny Mountains.
- Use Online Home Valuation Tools: Use a free home value estimator to calculate your home’s Fair Market Value (FMV).
- Get a CMA: A Comparative Market Analysis helps you understand your home’s worth based on its features and location. This can help you price your home right.
Step 5: Handle Showings and Manage Offers
Once your listing is active, buyers searching for West Virginia 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 time clashes.
- Host an Open House: Even a beautifully staged home can go unnoticed, like a pinecone on a trail in the Monongahela National Forest. So, host 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. Just follow these final steps, and you’ll be good to go:
- Gather All Documents: Before you sell a house in West Virginia, 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 West Virginia includes taxes on selling a house, like Transfer Tax and Property Tax. It also consists of HOA, real estate attorney, and home warranty fees.
Quick Summary 📝
Whether you are in the heart of the hills of Charleston or near the banks of the Ohio River, the right strategy is key to selling a home in the Mountain 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.
Don’t forget—selling your home in West Virginia can be just as rewarding and scenic as a weekend drive through the Appalachian Mountains!
» Houzeo Reviews: Read what people say about Houzeo—West Virginia’s best home selling website.
