A Step-by-Step Guide to a Smooth and Successful Sale

Navigating everything involved with selling your home can seem intimidating. Breaking the process down step by step will keep you organized and ready to work with your agent toward a successful home sale.

1. Choose an Agent

A lot goes into choosing the right agent. If you’re unsure where to start, get referrals from trusted friends, family, and neighbors. Although the ultimate goal is the sale, think about your compatibility outside of the transaction. Their ability to connect with you on a human level through the ups and downs of a home sale is just as important as their expertise and knowledge of the market.

Pro tip: Look for someone who communicates the way you do—whether that’s testing, emailing, or good old-fashioned phone calls. Feeling heard and understood can make all the difference in building trust and making the process more enjoyable.

2. Set a Timeline 

Depending on your local housing market conditions, your timeline for selling your home may vary. However, a timeline is valuable in that it will keep you organized throughout the selling process and allows you to adjust if circumstances change. Your agent will work with you to build the ideal timeline, one that reflects your personal goals, the local marketplace, and any milestones you may be working around. Having a clear plan reduces stress and ensures everyone is on the same page.

3. What is Your Home Worth?

The key to selling quickly is correctly pricing your home from the first day it hits the market. In particular, overpricing can lead to serious complications in the selling process. Your agent can provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to better determine the best price of your home. CMAs provide information on comparable home sales in your area, both pending and sold, within the past six months.

While an agent will always have the best information, you can also explore your home’s potential value with our real-time automated value estimate tool before connecting with your agent. Our seller page features home values and market information about what buyers are looking for in your area.

4. Repair & Upgrade

Now it’s time to get to work on the house! This is the perfect time to tackle any and all outstanding projects or repairs. Create a list separating which repairs can be done yourself and which need professional attention. This is also a great opportunity to consider a pre-sale home inspection to identify structural and mechanical issues or outdated features that could benefit from attention. Even small updates can go a long way—especially those that boost energy efficiency or add smart home appeal.

5. Make the Best First Impression

Creating a strong first impression can have a lasting impact on buyers, so roll up your sleeves and prepare to check off that to-do-list. Start by cleaning up the garden and lawn, clearing out gutters, and adding color to your flower beds. Apply a fresh coat of paint anywhere you spot peeling or cracked paint. A great way to make an impact is by staging your home, with the goal of making each room feel as spacious and welcoming as possible. Professional photography and even a little social media buzz can make your home stand out from the start.

6. Show Your Home 

Discuss virtual home tour options with your agent and other ways to generate maximum buyer interest. Consider 3D tours, virtual staging, or even drone footage if your property has outdoor highlights. These features can help your home stand out online and attract more attention, especially as many buyers now begin their home search digitally. For in-person showings, it’s best that you leave the premises so the buyer can freely ask their agent questions and visualize the home as their own.

7. Offers & Negotiation 

If you are in a seller’s market—defined by low inventory and high buyer competition—it is likely that you will receive offers at – or above – asking price. You can respond to an offer by a) accepting the offer, b) making a counteroffer, or c) rejecting the offer. Counteroffers should always be made in writing and provide a short window of time for the potential buyer to respond. If you are selling in a buyer’s market, you may have to be more open to negotiation. Discuss negotiation strategies with your agent to work toward a satisfying final price.

8. Prepare for Closing Costs

There are costs throughout the selling process, and as the close date approaches, that remains true. Be sure to budget for your real estate agent’s commission, and other common seller’s costs like title insurance, recording fees, and government transfer tax, among others.

9. Home Inspection

Buyer offers are usually contingent upon a professional home inspection. Ask your agent for a home inspection checklist, so you know what the inspector is looking for ahead of time. They typically inspect the home’s foundation, structure, roof, plumbing and electrical systems, floors, windows, doors, and more for signs of damage and weathering. Some buyers now opt for additional specialized inspections—like sewer scopes or radon testing—so it’s helpful to be prepared in advance for what might come up.

10. Closing Time

Congratulations! Your home is sold, but there are still some final steps before the deal is done. This is the time to ask the buyer to release any contingencies, sign the title, and close escrow before handing over the keys. Consult your real estate agent for any questions about legal documentation and settlement costs.

Whether you’re just starting to think about selling or ready to take on the next step, a Windermere agent is here to guide you. Click the button below to connect today.