The educational and career opportunities as well as the diverse living options have kept homes for sale always in demand. Result? The median home prices nationwide have climbed to $425,538. That too, despite homes in the US typically spend 54 days on market!
Now is the time to get in on the action and sell your home. Selling your house during this season can feel like a cozy afternoon stroll through Central Park!
7 Steps to Selling a House
Looking for tips to sell your home? Just follow this step-by-step guide on how to sell a house:
Step 1: Prep Your Home for Sale
First impressions matter—especially in a country, where your home competes against mountains, beaches, desserts and plains. So, focus on curb appeal to make your home look more presentable.
Here are 3 tips to make your house to be sold stand out:
- Redo the Landscaping: Redesign your front and back yards to give them an appealing appearance. You can plant shrubs and trees that are native to your state or locality. For example, bougainvillea in Florida or barometer bush in Texas.
- Repaint the House: A fresh coat of colors can make your house stand out. Choose shades that give local vibes like soft blue for a beachside home and warm brown for one in the mountains.
- Highlight Outdoor Spaces: Stage your updated kitchens and bathrooms. Show off the energy efficient features and outdoor living spaces. Homebuyers are generally drawn to these features, so aim to make a solid first impression.
➡️ Need Inspiration? Check out houses on sale by owner.
Step 2: Stage Your Home and Click Photos
A well-staged home can glow like Main Street during the holidays. It can attract buyers like a Black Friday deal. Traditional home staging is the most common option. To quicken the process, you can try virtual home staging too.
Follow these tips to stage your home:
- Declutter and Clean the House: The cleaner your home looks, the better. You can empty the garage, clean the roof and pressure-wash the driveway to achieve this look.
- Showcase Practical Features: Homebuyers prioritize safety and sustainability. So, highlight any storm-safe windows, smart appliances, or secure doors.
- Focus on Spacious Living Spaces: Buyers prefer naturally lit and airy rooms with large windows. If your home offers this, make sure to emphasize that while staging.
- 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 Who to Sell Your House With
If you’re wondering how to list your house on the MLS, you have multiple options! Here are the most common options sellers opt for:
- Full-Service Realtors – Up to 6%: These Realtors provide various services from listing to closing. However, they charge a hefty 5% to 6% real estate commission.
- Flat Fee MLS – $249: If you want to list your house for sale by owner, you can list on MLS 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 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.
Step 4: Price Your Home Competitively
In Jan 2025, 18.2% of homes sold only after price drops. Inaccurate pricing forces properties to stay longer on the market. It’s thus important to understand market trends and know how to price your home.
Here’s how to avoid overpricing your property:
- Review Market Trends: Overpricing will stall your home on the market like a road trip through I-95 construction zones. Review the latest US housing market trends to set a listing price that aligns with 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 your 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 understand your home’s worth based on its features and location. A CMA helps you easily quote the right price for your home.
Step 5: Handle Showings and Manage Offers
Once your home listing is active on your local MLS, buyers and agents will visit it and make offers. 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 picture-perfect home can get ignored like a souvenir at a Grand Canyon gift shop. Consult your agent and announce an open house to attract more 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.
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. Buyers also conduct a home inspection to examine the structural and functional aspects of your home.
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, 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 includes taxes on selling a house, like Transfer Tax and Property Tax (each around 1-3%). Closing costs for sellers also consist of HOA, real estate attorney, and home warranty fees.
Selling a Home Near You
Quick Summary 📝
Whether in a New York high-rise or in a California suburb, the right strategy is key to a good home sale. 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 can be a fulfilling journey, just like a road trip down Route 66!
