Most home sellers imagine a stress-free sale in which they simply advertise their house, quickly locate a qualified buyer, get payment, and then hand over the keys to the buyer. If only it were that simple! Selling a property actually involves a number of moving parts, some of which are under your control and others of which are not.

For example, geographic considerations may influence the length of time you list your house for sale or the price you may ask. Areas with intense competition and low inventory are likely to see faster sales and higher prices. However, if local home sales have declined, you will likely have to work harder to locate a buyer.

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The present real estate market’s high prices are making it very hard to afford: The median home price hit an all-time high of over $400,000 in June 2024. Additionally, while though mortgage rates have dropped from their peak of 8% in late 2023, they are still rather high. Many buyers feel compelled to wait for the market to stabilize, which makes sense.

Five Steps to Sell Your House

1. Choose a time to sell your home.

The full process of selling a house might take several months or perhaps longer, depending on the local market. Consequently, it makes sense to plan ahead and be organized.

At least two or three months before to the day you want to put your home for sale, think about getting a pre-sale inspection. This is not necessary, but it might be wise, especially if the property is older. For a few hundred bucks, you may receive a comprehensive inspection report that identifies any serious problems. This provides you with advance notification of issues that buyers are likely to discover during their next in-person inspection. By doing essential repairs in addition to other property preparation work, you might be able to speed up the selling process and stay one step ahead of the competition. By the time your house is offered for sale, it should be ready for the market.

Start thoroughly cleaning your house about a month before listing to get ready for listing photos. To make your home appear its best, clear out clutter and consider storing unneeded items in a storage unit.

2. Hire an agent with market knowledge

Simply looking up a real estate agent’s background online will help you select the ideal one to work with. Examine an agent’s online profile to learn about their experience, number of concluded deals, and any professional certifications they may have earned. Take note of the location and manner of their advertisements, as well as how professional they seem.

“Any designation they’ve earned is a huge plus, because it’s a sign they’ve taken the time to learn about a particular niche,” says Jorge Guerra, president and CEO of Real Estate Sales Force in Florida.

To avoid paying a fee, some homeowners could be tempted to sell their property without an agent’s assistance. This is known as “for sale by owner.” Usually between 2.5 and 3 percent of the purchase price, sellers can save a significant amount on that expense. For example, $12,000 is 3 percent of a $400,000 home transaction.

But a listing agent has to put in a lot of work to earn their money. For example, they could advertise your house to as many people as they can and haggle for you to get the best prices. If you decide to go it alone, you will be in charge of handling all of the negotiations and closing processes in addition to getting your property ready, advertising it, and assessing the offers from possible buyers. That is a big commitment.

When working with an agent, keep in mind that real estate commissions are typically negotiable. As a result, you can qualify for a break at the closing table. The conditions of the sale, however, may still force you to pay your buyer’s agent’s fee.

3. Determine what should and shouldn’t be updated.

Before spending money on pricey upgrades, make sure the changes you make will result in a positive return on investment. For example, it makes little sense to install new granite countertops if you only stand to lose money or break even on them. Furthermore, if local inventory levels are low, these modifications might not be necessary. Because they know what local buyers expect, a skilled real estate agent can help you decide what should and shouldn’t be done.

Renovations to the kitchen and bathroom usually yield the highest return on investment. Nevertheless, inexpensive do-it-yourself projects can also have a significant impact: Updated landscaping and a fresh coat of neutral paint are inexpensive ways to make a good first impression.

4. Decide on an affordable price.

Even in highly competitive markets, consumers don’t want to spend more than they need to, thus setting pricing correctly is crucial. Going overboard might backfire, but underestimating a home’s value could lead to financial loss. To get the best beginning price for your home, look at comparable properties in the area. Using this data on recently sold homes in your community, which gives you an idea of what comparable properties around are selling for, you can figure out how much you can realistically ask.

“A common mistake sellers make is pricing a home too high and then lowering it periodically,” said Grant Lopez, a Texas Realtor with Keller Williams Heritage and a former chairman of the San Antonio Board of Realtors. Some retailers believe that this approach will optimize earnings. In reality, though, the opposite is usually true: Pricey properties may put off prospective buyers, who may not even bother to view the property.

Furthermore, houses with a lot of price reductions might give buyers the impression that something is amiss. To prevent the need for continuous reductions, it is therefore preferable to price your home to attract the greatest number of buyers from the outset.

5. Make good use of listing photos

During this stage, your real estate agent will most likely hire a photographer to take marketing photos of your home and list it with the local multiple listing service (MLS). You can get your home ready for the market by following these tips:

Take professional photographs: Since people are looking for homes online so frequently these days, quality photos are crucial. Spaces may appear brighter, bigger, and more inviting with the help of a talented photographer. This also applies to the property’s exterior and outside areas.

Despite the fact that you have probably heard of curb appeal, analysts assert that Internet appeal has overtaken it in significance. Since all purchasers use the internet to discover a house, online listings are crucial, according to the National Association of Realtors. “Your house’s first showing is online,” Guerra added. “The appearance of your website determines whether someone calls to make an appointment or clicks on the next listing.”

Maintain cleanliness and arrange areas for optimal operation and flow by staging a home, which include getting rid of superfluous furniture, personal belongings, and unsightly items. If you’re selling a luxury home or in a slow market, hiring a stager might help you stand out. The average cost of professional home staging, according to HomeAdvisor, is $1,836; however, charges might differ depending on your location and the volume of work needed.

Clear out for showings so that you are scarce when potential buyers come to view your home. Give them uninterrupted time to view themselves in the room: “When they see the current homeowner lurking,” Lopez said, “buyers may be reluctant to voice their opinions.” “It might keep them from thinking about your house.” Usually, buyers bring their real estate agent to view your home. You may also ask your own agent to go to showings.