9 Steps to Selling a House in North Dakota

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  Written by Hannah Warrick

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  Edited by Ashley Simon

Written by Hannah Warrick

Hannah Warrick is a Content Editor at Clever Real Estate, where she contributes to Real Estate Witch and its sister brands. She’s done extensive research on discount real estate brokers, flat fee MLS companies, and first-time home buying. 

Edited by Ashley Simon

Ashley Simon is a Content Project Manager for Real Estate Witch and other publications in the Clever Real Estate family of brands. She's an authority on discount real estate brokers and other companies that offer low commission fees.

Selling your house in North Dakota can feel complicated, but it doesn’t have to be! Following the right process will help you sell faster and for top dollar.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to sell a house in North Dakota, including how to find a great agent, navigate legal documents, stage your home, and more house selling tips.

⚡ Get started: Match with a top real estate agent and save BIG on commission.

1. Find and choose a North Dakota real estate agent

The best way to sell your house is typically by hiring a real estate agent.

We recommend interviewing at least 2–3 local real estate agents before signing a listing agreement. Comparing multiple options helps you find the best fit for your situation and could save you thousands on realtor commissions. 

There are several ways to find a great realtor in North Dakota. To save the most time and money, stick to sources that make it easy to find quality options.

• Use an agent matching service. Provide some basic info about your home and what you’re looking for in an agent. The matching service will give you options to choose from in your area and you can compare rates to find the best one for you.
• Get a personal referral. Ask family and friends for recommendations from their own selling experiences. But be sure to vet the agent yourself to make sure they’re a good fit.
• Contact your local realtor association. Check your local real estate board to find a great selection of vetted agents. You can contact them online or by phone.⁴

Using an agent-matching service is often the most convenient way to find a qualified North Dakota real estate agent.

The best companies let you interview top agents who charge a low 1.5% listing fee (instead of the 2.91% average North Dakota listing fee). At this rate, the average North Dakota homeowner would save $4,614 on their home sale! Fill out the form below to get matched with agents near you.

How to compare agents and find the best fit

After you’ve found several top-rated agents to compare, it’s time to set up interviews to ask them questions. Here are some factors to look for to ensure you choose the right real estate agent:

Full-time realtor. Find an agent who works full time and is selling at least 10 houses per year.

Local experience. Choose a seller’s agent who has experience in your local real estate market. You can use popular real estate websites like Zillow to see the neighborhood, price point, and property type of homes the agent has recently sold.

Customer reviews. Look for positive customer reviews from past clients. One or two bad reviews aren’t a big deal. But agents with multiple bad reviews in a short time frame (3-6 months) could be a red flag.

Marketing skills. Check each agent’s active and closed listings on sites like Zillow and Realtor.com, or ask them for listing photo examples. Look for clear, polished photos with good lighting and compelling listing descriptions that highlight each home’s key features. If you pay the full commission rate, some agents will stage your home for you.

Commission rate. North Dakota listing agents earn an average commission rate of 2.91% per sale. You can negotiate with your agent to see if they’ll offer you a lower rate.

License. You can also check to see if each agent’s real estate license is active and in good standing — or if it’s suspended or inactive. View licenses at the North Dakota Real Estate Commission.⁵

Other ways to sell your home

2. Decide when to sell your house in North Dakota

Sellers often find themselves balancing two primary priorities: maximizing their profit and minimizing the time their property spends on the market. Timing can significantly impact both the price and speed of the sale.

See how pricing and market speed vary by season.

3. Determine a list price for your house

Pricing your home correctly is arguably one of the most critical steps to selling a house. The asking price you set can make the difference between a quick, profitable sale and a property that languishes on the market, potentially costing you thousands in the long run.

A comparative market analysis provides an estimate of your home’s fair value, based on what similar homes have recently sold for in your area. Most agents will provide you with a CMA for free.

A CMA typically includes:

• Recent sale prices of similar homes in your neighborhood
• How long it took those homes to sell
• How much your home’s upgrades or repairs add to its value
• Basic information like square footage and number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• The agent’s recommended list price

We recommend requesting and comparing multiple CMAs from the agents you interview. Be wary of working with an agent who provides a CMA that is significantly higher than the rest. Occasionally, agents will attempt to win your listing by setting an over-the-top price, then they work you down with price cuts over time.

Once you determine a competitive price and choose your agent, you’ll sign a North Dakota listing agreement.⁷ The listing agreement is a contract between you and your agent that outlines the terms of your working relationship, including the duration of the listing, the commission rate, the asking price, and the agent’s responsibilities.

If you’re not using a real estate agent, getting an appraisal before the sale is a good idea. Appraisals are usually conducted by the buyer during the process, but you can get a home appraisal before listing your home for sale to guide your pricing.

However, appraisals can cost between $233 and $364 in North Dakota and are often time-consuming (1–2 weeks to complete), so it needs to fit within your budget and timeframe.⁸ 

For comparison, take a look at home value and listing price trends in top North Dakota markets:

4. Prep your house for sale

Now the fun begins: it’s time to get your home ready for showings! There are several ways to prepare your home for sale, some quicker than others.

Get a pre-listing inspection

While a pre-listing inspection is totally optional, getting one is a good way to assess any crucial repair needs before putting it on the market. The potential buyer will typically order their own inspection on the home, but if it uncovers major issues, they may back out of the sale.

A pre-listing inspection might not be worth the time and effort in certain cases. It can cost anywhere between $249 and $347 in North Dakota.⁹ Talk with your real estate agent to determine if you should get a pre-listing inspection.

Make repairs and home improvements

Addressing necessary repairs and making strategic updates to your home before listing it for sale can significantly impact your property’s marketability and final selling price.

Updates and repairs can range from simple cosmetic touch-ups (new paint, fixed faucets, etc.) to more substantial renovations (landscaping, roof repair, HVAC, etc.). In North Dakota, home repair costs average about $19,623. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance between investment and potential return. Ask your real estate agent about what improvements have the most return on investment in your market.

If you’re short on time or budget, prioritizing the most critical issues or focusing on high-impact, low-cost improvements can still make a meaningful difference. If you’re selling a house that needs extensive repairs and you can’t afford it, consider selling your home to a cash buyer — these investors buy homes as-is, but typically for less than market value.

💰 Compare offers from vetted cash buyers in your area today! It’s completely free with no obligation to accept.

Consider staging your home

Staging furniture, decor, and lighting showcases your home’s best features and helps prospective buyers envision themselves living in the space. Some real estate agents offer home staging advice as part of their service, or you can hire someone to stage your home.

If you’ve already moved out and there’s no furniture inside the home, consider adding virtual staging to your online listing. Virtual staging offers flexibility and can be easily modified to suit different styles. Ask your real estate agent if they offer virtual staging.

Staging isn’t always necessary. For homes in hot markets or with exceptional features or aesthetics, staging might just not be worth the cost.

5. Market your house to buyers

Now it’s time to actually list your home and host potential buyers! Here’s what typically happens next.

Your property listing goes live

Your real estate agent will post your home on your local multiple listing service (MLS), which is a database most real estate agents use to find and sell properties. Your home will also appear on popular real estate websites (like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com) to reach prospective buyers.

Online listings should include:

• Basic property details (address, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, square footage, and year built)
• A listing description that highlights the home’s best features, recent upgrades, and unique selling points
• Professional photos or video of the interior and exterior of the home 
• Information about recent upgrades or unique features
• Neighborhood details, such as nearby school systems, HOA fees, and property taxes
• Property history (previous sale dates and prices)
• Agent contact information

Once your listing is live, your agent will likely start receiving requests for showings so buyers can tour the property themselves.

Your agent manages home showings

Your real estate agent takes on the primary role of coordinating and managing home showings. They’re responsible for scheduling appointments and communicating with interested buyers and their agents. They may even schedule an open house, if they think your home could benefit from the exposure.

Unless you’re selling the home for sale by owner, you likely won’t be involved directly in the showing process. Still, keep a few things in mind: 

• Clean and tidy. Secure valuables and remove any personal items. Turn on all lights and open curtains for a bright, welcoming atmosphere. 
• Steer clear during showings. It’s generally best for sellers to leave during showings, as your presence may make buyers feel uncomfortable or pressured. 
• Remove pets during showings. Pets can be a distraction, trigger allergies, and cause odors. If you can’t take them elsewhere, keep them in a secured area. 
• Be open to feedback. Your agent may give you constructive criticism about buyer reactions. Use it to make improvements for future showings.

6. Negotiate offers with buyers

Currently, it takes around 54 days to receive an offer in North Dakota. With luck, you will receive multiple offers within just a few days or weeks of going live!

The offer letter should contain the buyer’s offer price, whether they’re asking for any concessions, how they’ll finance the purchase, an estimated closing date, and an offer expiry date (typically 24–48 hours after submission).

There are three ways sellers and their listing agents can respond to a buyer’s offer:

🟢 Accept the offer. If the offer has everything you’re looking for — price, terms, and timing all look great — then you might just want to accept it without countering, especially if no other offers are on the table.

🟡 Counter the offer. Most details of an offer are negotiable. It could make sense to counter an offer if you’re confident you’d receive another good one if the buyer declines it. Remember: if you counter an offer and the buyer accepts it, you’re technically under contract.

🔴 Ignore the offer. There’s no need to respond to a lowball offer or one that doesn’t meet any of your criteria — especially if you have stronger offers on the table.

How long does it take to get an offer in North Dakota?

Timing depends on your home’s price, location, condition, and the present season.

Currently in North Dakota, homes stay on the market for a median of 54 days before an offer is accepted. However, this timeline can vary by city and even by neighborhood. Look at local trends to get an idea of what’s common in your market, and talk with your agent to discuss expectations on when you might receive an acceptable offer after going live.

7. Review paperwork and sign an offer

Once you’ve decided to accept an offer and you’ve talked it through with your agent, it’s time to review the contract and sign. Carefully review contingencies to understand all conditions that could allow the buyer to back out without penalty.

After all parties have signed, your home is under contract. It typically takes 35 days to close on the home if all goes well.

What’s in a North Dakota purchase and sale agreement?

The purchase agreement contains key details about your sale, such as:

• Basic details — the buyer’s full legal name, and your home’s address
• Purchase price — how much the buyer is offering to purchase your home 
• Close of escrow — the estimated date when ownership transfers to the buyer  
• Initial deposit amount — also known as earnest money, which the buyer submits into a trust or escrow account
• Financing information — how the buyer plans to finance the purchase (cash, mortgage, seller financing, or other) and the loan amount
• Balance of down payment — the remainder of the down payment (or of the full price, if paying cash) that’s due at closing after the buyer has paid the initial deposits
• Items included — such as appliances or security camera equipment
• Allocation of costs — a list of closing costs (including required inspections, escrow fees, owner’s title policy) and whether the buyer or seller (or both) will pay

8. Conduct inspections, appraisals, and closing walk-through

After you’ve accepted and signed the offer, the buyer conducts their due diligence before closing: completing a home inspection, ordering an appraisal, and applying for financing (if they haven’t already).

Home inspection

A home inspection usually takes 1–3 hours to document the overall condition of the home and pointing out potential issues, such as:

• Roof or plumbing leaks
• Water damage
• HVAC failure
• Presence of termites
• Toxins like mold, asbestos, or radon gas
• Insufficient grade sloping and drainage
• Code violations

Sellers usually don’t attend the inspection or even get to see the buyer’s home inspection report. But the buyer might ask you to fix any defects or serious issues discovered in the inspection (or negotiate a lower price or closing credit). If the buyer demands that you make a repair, request to see the inspection report before agreeing. 

Check with your agent to learn what you’re obligated to fix and the best way to move forward following the home inspection.

Appraisal

Lenders often require buyers to get a home appraisal to ensure that it’s worth its purchase price. In North Dakota, the buyer typically pays for the appraisal, though sometimes the seller offers to cover this cost to motivate the buyer.

The appraiser visits your home to take interior and exterior photos, noting any features or upgrades that add value to the home. They compare your house to recently sold homes in your area and generate a report that provides an opinion of value.

Both the lender and buyer receive a copy of the appraisal. You’ll get notified if your home’s appraised value comes in lower than the buyer’s purchase price. In this case, you may have to renegotiate the price because buyers can only finance up to the appraisal amount, meaning that they’ll need more cash to purchase the home.

An advantage of selling to a cash home buyer in North Dakota is that there’s no appraisal contingency, so getting a low appraisal won’t jeopardize the price.

Final walk-through

The buyer may walk through the home a day or two before closing to ensure it’s in the agreed-upon condition.

Here’s what you need to do before their walk-through:

• Clear out your house of any belongings, if you haven’t yet.
• Repair or patch any damaged drywall, paint, or nail holes.
• Make sure items included in the sale contract (appliances, light fixtures, etc) are still there. 
• Lightly sweep out the house, especially anything left from the move, like mud tracks or loose packaging.

9. Close on your home sale

You’re almost at the finish line! As the seller, you can attend the closing process in person or do your part electronically.

In short, closing consists of a lot of paperwork, but your agent or real estate attorney can help you navigate the process.

Once you and the buyer have signed all documents, you’ve closed on your home sale. The home’s sale price pays off the listing commission (and buyer’s commission if you’ve agreed to pay that as a concession), North Dakota closing costs, and covers any outstanding mortgages or liens owed on the property.

How much are closing costs in North Dakota?

Here’s how much you may pay in North Dakota closing costs. The average cost is calculated based on the average North Dakota sale price of $361,282.

Your net proceeds may be wired to your bank account after closing. Contact your agent, attorney, or title company for more details on how and when you’ll get paid. Congrats on your sale!

Related articles

The Costs to Sell a House in North Dakota Revealed. Our guide breaks down all of the costs to sell your house in North Dakota, and we offer some tips to save money on your sale.

Average Real Estate Commission in North Dakota. Knowing the standard commission rate in your area can help you avoid overpaying for a real estate agent and accurately estimate the cost of selling your home.

The Best Discount Real Estate Brokers in North Dakota. Sell your home with a vetted North Dakota discount realtor, and save thousands of dollars on commission.

How to Sell a House Without a Realtor in North Dakota. If you know what you’re doing, you can cut out listing agent fees by listing your house “for sale by owner” (FSBO).

How to Choose a Realtor: Expert Secrets. Learn how to vet agents, set up interviews, read and sign a buyer’s agency agreement or listing agreement, and pick the best realtor for you.

How to Sell Your House — The Ultimate Guide. Our guide breaks down the process of selling your house from start to finish, educating you on the process and helping prepare you for your big sale.

Methodology 

Our mission is to provide accurate, actionable, and practical information that will help you make better decisions about your real estate journey.

To help create this North Dakota home selling guide, we pulled current and historical market data from vetted sources, such as Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and HomeAdvisors. As these sources update, we refresh our pages accordingly to ensure everything is current.

1. Zillow, Median home values in North Dakota, Updated August 31, 2024 ↩︎
2. Zillow, Home value appreciation in North Dakota, Updated August 31, 2024 ↩︎
3. Redfin, Median sale price in North Dakota, Updated August 1, 2024 ↩︎
4. Local real estate boards in North Dakota ↩︎
5. North Dakota Real Estate Commission ↩︎
6. Realtor.com, Median listing price and days on market in North Dakota, Updated September 1, 2024 ↩︎
7. eForms, North Dakota listing agreement ↩︎
8. Thumbtack, Home appraisal costs in North Dakota ↩︎
9. Thumbtack, Home inspection costs in North Dakota ↩︎
10. Thumbtack, Deep cleaning costs in North Dakota ↩︎
11. HomeAdvisor, Interior painting costs in North Dakota ↩︎
12. Journal of Light Construction, Deck addition costs in North Dakota ↩︎
13. Journal of Light Construction, Siding replacement costs in North Dakota ↩︎
14. Journal of Light Construction, Window replacements costs in North Dakota ↩︎
15. Journal of Light Construction, Bathroom renovation costs in North Dakota ↩︎
16. Journal of Light Construction, Roof replacement costs in North Dakota ↩︎
17. Journal of Light Construction, Kitchen remodel costs in North Dakota ↩︎
18. Seller's Property Disclosure, Updated May 2023 ↩︎
19. USPS, Change your address form ↩︎
20. North Dakota DMV, Change your address ↩︎