Selling a home requires a thoughtful strategy and expert knowledge. From preparing a home for sale to running open houses, there are many moving parts.
Here, we’ve gathered tips from experienced listing agents to help you navigate the process.
1. Find the right agent
Our #1 tip for home sellers is to work with a realtor. A professional real estate agent brings local market expertise, helps you set the right sale price and strategy, and deftly handles negotiations. Use their depth of knowledge to your advantage.
You’re not legally required to have a listing agent to sell a property. However, data shows that sellers who use an agent make $79,000 more on average than those who don’t.[1]
When choosing a listing agent, look for a realtor who has good reviews from past clients, experience with sales in your location and price range, and a plan for how to market your unique home.
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2. Price your home appropriately
Many real estate professionals we talked to emphasized how important pricing is when putting your property on the market. Correct pricing could help you sell your home quicker and for more money.
To price your home, your listing agent completes a comparative market analysis to understand recent sales of similar houses in the area and current market trends.
Your agent may also decide to list your home slightly below market value. “A slightly lower price can create a sense of urgency and competition among buyers, often leading to multiple offers,” says Alexandra Gupta, a broker from the Corcoran Group. Multiple colleagues emphasize this home selling tip and say that this strategy actually ended in selling a property for more money.
3. Focus on easy but impactful upgrades
You don’t have to replace the whole HVAC system or renovate the entire kitchen to make your house attractive to buyers. But almost every property can benefit from minor repairs that make a big visual difference and bring a high return on investment (ROI).
Here are some upgrade ideas to consider:
- Add a fresh coat of paint
- Replace outdated door knobs and cabinet pulls
- Switch to LED lighting
- Update faucets
How can this tip help when selling your home? First, it can help maximize your property’s value without major renovations. Also, you might be able to find a buyer quicker, as a well-maintained home is what most buyers are looking for.
4. Invest in professional staging
Investing in quality staging is another tip for selling your home that realtors swear by.
"The preparation process may involve rearranging furniture, clearing out bulky items, and incorporating neutral artwork, cozy rugs, and warm lighting to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere,” shares David Schulz, a broker and owner of Schulz Realty. “With a few strategic enhancements, sellers can make rooms feel larger and more inviting, setting the ideal stage for a successful showing!”
According to the National Association of Realtors, almost half of sellers’ agents reported an increase in offer price if the home was staged. About 20% of agents said the price increased by 1–5%, and 14% noted an impressive increase of 6–10%.[2]
Why could staging make such a difference in the buyers' perception? A staged home presents better in photos, encouraging potential buyers to arrange a showing. Also, staging is intended to showcase the home's best features and make it more appealing.
5. Increase curb appeal
First impressions matter a lot in real estate. Since the exterior is the first thing a potential buyer sees when coming to an open house, make it count.
Key areas of focus can include:
- Power washing walkways and siding
- Painting the front door
- Maintaining a well-manicured lawn
- Adding fresh flowers and plants
Focusing on curb appeal is one of the top tips for selling your home that brings results with minimal investment. From the moment they see it, the buyer feels more welcome and comfortable moving forward, knowing the house has been cared for recently.
6. Get high-quality photos
Searching for a house often starts on real estate websites, so photos could be buyers' first impression of your house. Almost 9 in 10 buyers under age 58 admit that photos are the most important website feature when looking for a property.[3]
“Clear, well-lit, and properly composed images can make the home stand out from the competition,” says Alexandra Gupta. That’s why your investment in a professional photoshoot for the house can bring high returns. The right photographs can lead to more attention from buyers, more showings, and even higher sale prices.
7. Clean and declutter
This may be one of the most popular tips for home sellers by professional real estate agents; almost every expert we talked to mentioned it. Even if you want to sell your home as quickly as possible, cleaning and decluttering is absolutely worth the effort.
For example, Sergio Aguinaga, a real estate professional, shared with us his success story of selling an older property:
“The house was dated and needed a ton of reno, but instead of pushing for expensive renovations, I focused on quick fixes like decluttering, a deep clean, and adding some curb appeal with fresh flowers.” Together with the correct pricing strategy, the result speaks for itself: “By the end of the weekend, we had three offers on the table.”
A decluttered property appears larger, brighter, and more inviting. It’s also easier for buyers to envision living in the home when it’s free of clutter and personal belongings.
8. Accommodate buyers' needs
Selling a home can take weeks or months, and a seller’s flexibility is one of the main factors that could influence its speed.
For example, you should try to be flexible with showings, as “each showing presents an opportunity to attract potential buyers,” says David Schulz. He also recommends suggesting alternative times if the one a buyer offers is inconvenient for you.
Flexibility can also include being open to changing the closing date. This could be a powerful tool in negotiations, as some buyers might need extra time to sell their previous place or get their affairs in order before the move.
The best home selling tips come from top agents. We can connect you with top-performing agents who have years of experience, a successful sales record, and expertise in your local market.
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FAQ
How do you make your house stand out when selling?
To make your house stand out when selling, focus on staging, professional photography, and curb appeal. Also, before hiring a photographer and arranging open houses, remember to declutter and thoroughly clean the place to make it more attractive for potential buyers.
What is the best month to sell a house?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as this could depend on your region and selling goals (e.g., whether you want to sell fast or for more money). Generally, real estate experts agree that April to June is the best time to sell, so you might want to start preparing your home for sale in early spring.
How can I maximize my profit when selling my house?
To maximize your profit when selling your house, hire a real estate agent who has local experience and strategies to sell the property for more. Statistics show that sellers who are represented by a realtor make significantly more on average than those who sell by themselves. Also, focus on improvements that have the highest return on investment (ROI).
What are some staging tips when selling your home?
Focus on decluttering and depersonalizing your space. You want a potential buyer to imagine living in the home, which could be harder to do with photos and knickknacks of the current owner on display. Make sure the rooms appear spacious, filled with light, and as neutral as possible. And, of course, don’t forget to deep clean!