Thinking of selling your home, but no idea where to start or how long it should take? You’re not alone. The truth is, selling a home in today’s market involves many moving parts — from pricing to finding a qualified buyer and beyond. The good news? We’re here to walk with you every step of the way. Keep reading for an overview of the steps it takes to sell your home in DC and tips for expediting the process as much as possible.

Find The Right Agent

While some homeowners might be tempted to save on commission and instead sell their home themselves, there’s no substitute for the value an agent provides — from the connections they have to the industry insight they’ve amassed and the support they’re ready to give. If you risk going it alone, you’ll have to personally manage to prep your home, market it, review buyers’ offers, and handle all the negotiations and closing details (to name just a few).

Want to know more about the advantages of working with a real estate agent? Explore these blog posts for helpful insights.

• How Developers Benefit From Working With an Agent
• 10 Questions to Ask Your Realtor Before Selling
• What’s it Like to Sell With Compass DC?

Evaluate Potential Upgrades

Before you spend money on costly upgrades, it’s smart to be sure the changes you make will have a high return on investment. It doesn’t make sense to install new granite countertops, for example, if you only stand to break even on them — or perhaps even lose money. Plus, these improvements may not be necessary to sell your home for top dollar, particularly if inventory levels are low in your area. Luckily, a good real estate agent will know what people in your area expect and can help you decide what projects are worth your time (and money)!

Price It Right

When selling your home, pricing plays a crucial role as it directly impacts buyer interest, market competition, and ultimately determines the success of the sale. Going too high can backfire and result in very few showings, while underestimating a home’s value might leave money on the table. To price your home perfectly from the start, use comps. This information about recently sold properties in your neighborhood gives you an idea of what comparable homes around you are selling for, thus helping you decide how much you might reasonably ask.

Invest In Marketing

In the world of real estate, marketing matters. Here are some of the top tactics for positioning your home in its best light today.

• Get professional photos: With the ubiquity of online house-hunting these days, high-quality photos are critical. A pro photographer knows how to showcase each room from the right angles, with great lighting and look its best. PSA: The same goes for your lawn and outdoor areas!
• Focus on online appeal: You’ve probably heard of curb appeal before, but professionals say online allure is now even more important than ever. In fact, nearly all homebuyers look at online listings — 96 percent, to be exact, according to NAR.
• Staging and virtual staging: Staging a home helps potential buyers envision themselves living in the space, highlights its full potential and creates an emotional connection. If you don’t want to physically stage the property, virtually staging a vacant home offers a cost-effective solution to showcase its possibilities, allowing buyers to visualize the property’s layout and potential.
• Keep it clean: Remove excess furniture, personal belongings, and unsightly items from the home while it’s on the market, and arrange rooms for optimal flow and purpose.
• Clear out for showings: Make yourself scarce when potential buyers come to view your home so they can imagine themselves in the space!

In need of impact-driven selling strategies? Explore these related blog posts.

• Top Tips For Selling a DC Condo
• Benefits of Selling Your Home as a Private Listing
• Should You Renovate or Sell?

Negotiate Offers

Once buyers have seen your home, the offers will ideally start rolling in. This is where a real estate agent is your best advocate and go-to source for advice. If your local market favors sellers, buyers will likely offer very close to asking price, or possibly even above. On the other hand, if sales are slow in your area, you may have to be open to negotiating.

While it’s impossible to predict the exact duration of selling a home in D.C., implementing the above strategies gives you the best possible chance at achieving a swift and seamless transaction. Remember that every real estate transaction is unique, but by following these tactics, you are positioning yourself for a successful sale while minimizing potential delays and obstacles along the way.

Ready to make moves? Let’s come up with a sales strategy tailored to your distinct needs today. Click here to book a personal consultation.