3 Must-Do’s When Selling Your House

By Shelly Herron

3 minute read

Couple discussing home selling strategies with a real estate agent.
It’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces. However, despite the anticipation of what’s to come, we can still have deep sentimental attachments to the home we’re leaving behind. Growing emotions can help or hinder a sale depending on how we manage them.

When it comes to the bottom line, homeowners need to know what it takes to avoid costly mistakes when it’s time to move. Being mindful and prepared for the process can help you stay on the right track when selling your house this year. Here are some tips to consider: 

Price Your Home Right

When inventory is low like it is in the current market, it’s common to think buyers will pay whatever we ask when setting a listing price. Believe it or not, that’s not always true. Don’t forget that the buyer’s bank will send an appraiser to determine the fair value for your house. The bank will not lend more than what the house is worth, so be aware that you might need to renegotiate the price after the appraisal. A real estate professional can help you set the true value of your home.

Keep Your Emotions in Check

Today, homeowners are living in their houses for a longer period of time. Since 1985, the average time a homeowner has owned their home has increased from 5 to 10 years. This is several years longer than what used to be the historical norm. The side effect, however, is when you stay in one place for so long, you may get even more emotionally attached to your space. If it’s the first home you bought or the house where your children grew up, it very likely means something extra special to you. Every room has memories, and it’s hard to detach from the sentimental value.

For some homeowners, that makes it even harder to negotiate and separate the emotional value of the house from the fair market price. That’s why you need a real estate professional to help you with the negotiations along the way.

Stage Your Home Properly

We’re generally quite proud of our décor and how we’ve customized our houses to make them our own unique homes, but not all buyers will feel the same way about your design. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you stage your house with the buyer in mind.

Buyers want to envision themselves in the space so it truly feels like it could be their own. They need to see themselves inside with their furniture and keepsakes – not your pictures and decorations. Stage and declutter so they can visualize their own dreams as they walk down the hall. 

Bottom Line

Today’s sellers’ market might be your best chance to make a move. If you’re considering selling your house, let us connect you with a top real estate agent so you have the help you need to navigate through the process while prioritizing these must-do’s.
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Photo of the article’s author, Shelly Herron

About the Author

Shelly Herron is a writer and editor, originally from the Midwest and now in sunny Austin, TX. She has over 10 years of editorial experience in real estate, travel, and fitness and holds a degree in marketing and journalism from Iowa State University. When not working, you'll find her doing crossword puzzles, baking, and snuggling with her dog.