How To Sell Your Home - The Complete Step-By-Step Guide

Selling a house can feel like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it becomes much more manageable. If you're wondering, "How do I sell my house?"—you're in the right place. This guide breaks down the process into three simple stages, making it easier to understand and navigate. Knowing what to expect at each step will help you feel more confident and in control.

When selling a home, one of the first questions many homeowners ask is, "What are the costs involved in selling my house?" Unlike buyers, who typically have various upfront expenses, sellers mainly pay their costs from the proceeds of the sale. The largest expense is usually the real estate agent commission, which typically ranges from 4.5% to 6% of the final sale price. Additionally, there are title company or attorney fees, which can vary between $500 and $2,000, depending on your location and the complexity of the transaction.

The good news is that sellers don’t have to pay these fees out of pocket before the sale. Instead, all costs are deducted from the final sale price at closing. Once the transaction is complete, you’ll receive the remaining balance after all fees and commissions are settled. Understanding these costs upfront can help you plan for a smooth and stress-free home sale.

You may not owe taxes on the profit from your home sale if it was your primary residence for at least two of the last five years, with tax-free gains up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for married couples filing jointly. If your profit exceeds these limits, the excess is considered a capital gain and must be reported to the IRS.

If you're ready to sell your home, let’s walk through the complete step-by-step process so you can maximize your sale price and minimize headaches. Let's get started with the complete step-by-step guide to selling your home.

STAGE 1: Get Your House Ready to Sell

Before listing your home for sale, it’s important to prepare it properly. Every home requires a different approach, but the goal remains the same. You want your house to look like a beautifully staged model home that feels inviting yet unoccupied.

To make this process easier, focus on three key steps. Repair any issues, consider valuable upgrades, and make everything sparkle. The following tips will help you get your home market-ready.

FIX & REPAIR EVERYTHING

Most home buyers want a house without any issues. Once your home is under contract, the buyer will expect everything to be in good condition. To be sure, they will likely hire a professional inspector to check for damages and needed repairs.

When preparing to sell your home, begin by identifying any necessary repairs and addressing known issues. It’s a good idea to hire a home inspector before listing to catch potential problems early.

This is the best way to avoid unexpected surprises once you enter the contract phase of selling your home. Start by searching for home inspectors online and scheduling an appointment. A home inspection costs between $300 and $500 in most states.

Your Realtor can review the inspection report with you and help determine if any issues should be fixed before listing your home.

Buyers often feel like they are overpaying when a home has visible repair problems. To maximize your profit, addressing these issues before attracting potential buyers is best.

UPDATE & ADD UPGRADES

Next, determine if your home needs any updates to attract the best possible offer.

Check out similar homes in your neighborhood, either online or with your Realtor. If most recently sold or listed properties feature granite countertops, solid wood floors, or other modern upgrades, adding these to your home could be a smart investment. Understanding your competition and offering a more appealing home can help you maximize your sale price.

Buyers are often hesitant to pay top dollar for a home with visible repair issues. To get the highest return, it's best to address any necessary repairs before putting your home on the market.

If you can't afford upgrades, you can estimate their cost and adjust your home's price accordingly. Lowering the price slightly can attract buyers looking for a deal and willing to handle the improvements themselves.

If nearby homes have modern upgrades and yours does not, your property may sit on the market longer and could receive lower offers than expected.

Making upgrades before listing can be a smart investment. Consulting a REALTOR can help you determine which improvements will add the most value.

Buyers often feel they are overpaying when a home has visible repair issues. To maximize your profit, it's best to address these problems before putting your home on the market.

MAKE THE HOME LOOK NEW AGAIN

Now that you have fixed repair issues and have added necessary upgrade, it's time to make your home look new again. The goal is to take all the “wear and tear” out of your home.

This process usually involves touching up the paint, shampooing carpets, touching up baseboards, adding fresh mulch, trimming bushes, decluttering, and deep cleaning every room in the house. You can find a complete checklist of things to do at the bottom of this section.

Often, sellers find that they must repaint the home's interior and install new floors, as even everyday wear and tear can turn buyers off and cost you money. You can get away with just touching up the paint if it is relatively new.

It's time to take the “you” out of your home. Buyers emotionally attach themselves to homes in which they can visualize themselves living. It's hard for them to do that when they see photos of the current homeowner's family throughout the house or religious knick knacks everywhere. De-personalizing your home will help you make the most money when selling it.

Pack all personal pictures in a box for your next home. Also, take any visible items that are personal to you and pack them away. Make your home as clean and neutral as possible so that home buyers can imagine their furniture and items in your home.

If necessary for your market, hire a professional stager to help arrange your home for an amazing presentation to home buyers. Staging is more common in large luxurious homes that take longer to sell or have more competition. Your Realtor will help you determine whether you need a home stager or not.

Check out our Ultimate Home Sellers Checklist below. It offers a HUGE list of items to keep you on track when getting your home ready to go on the market.

STAGE 2: Get Your Home Listed for Sale

Once your home is ready to go on the market, your to-do list shifts from hands-on work to handling calls and emails. This stage requires smart choices and thorough online research. Take your time and follow the three key steps below to set yourself up for success.

HIRE A REALTOR

Start by hiring a skilled real estate agent. Avoid selecting someone just because they are a family member or neighbor. Instead, take the time to research and find an agent with a strong online reputation and excellent reviews. The wrong choice could end up costing you thousands of dollars.

Realtors don't get paid unless the deal closes, so they are masters at identifying possible obstacles that could delay or derail the closing process. 

Here’s a good list of questions to ask before hiring a Realtor.

• • Do they hire professional photographers to take pictures and videos?
• • Do they offer an online 3D Tour? Ask for examples.
• • Do they use a professional Showing Service, or are they responsible for coordinating all of your showings?
• • Do they use Secure Electronic Lockboxes or cheap combination lockboxes?
• • How many homes do they sell each year, and how does that average compare for the area?
• • Do they have online reviews and a strong online presence?
• • Do they communicate in ways that you prefer? (email, text, social media, phone call, etc.)
• • How much of their commission are they offering the buyer’s agent, if any?
• • Where are they advertising your listing?
• • What digital marketing services do they offer that others do not?

These are just a few questions to ask. Your entire home-selling experience will be greatly affected by the competency of the real estate agent that you hire. I can’t stress enough how important it is that you do your research and hire the right person for the job.

Here's a great guide to help you find a good Realtor to get your home sold for the most amount of money.

PRICE IT RIGHT

Next, take your time deciding on the right listing price for your home. Ask your Realtor for recent comparable sales and their professional advice. The goal is to price it competitively to sell quickly while maximizing your profit.

The longer your home stays on the market, the lower the offers tend to be. Many sellers start with a high price and later reduce it after little to no interest. However, the best chance to get a strong offer is right when your home is first listed.

If your home sits on the market for a few months, buyers may assume you’re eager to sell and be more likely to make lower offers. The best offers typically come within the first week of listing. Pricing your home correctly from the start will attract serious buyers who are ready to move now.

KEEP IT PRESENTABLE

Finally, keep your home clean and ready for showings at all times. Over the years, I’ve shown countless homes to buyers and am often surprised by how many are messy or unprepared. Remember, homes often look different in person than they do online.

Above all, make sure your home is clean and smells fresh. This is a must! Before a showing, open blinds and curtains in key areas to bring in natural light and showcase the best views.

Turn on a few lamps and overhead lights to prevent dim or shadowy spaces. When buyers walk through the front door, they should be welcomed by a bright, inviting, and cheerful atmosphere.

Check out our 20 Step Checklist to Prepare Your Home for Real Estate Photos below. It will help you have your home photo-ready when the photographer arrives.

STEP 3: Get Your Home Sold

Once your home is on the market and available for buyers to see, the next goal is getting it sold. Being under contract might feel like the hard part is over, but there’s still important work ahead.

It typically takes around 30 to 60 days to close a real estate transaction. This section will guide you through the remaining steps to ensure a smooth and successful closing.

EXECUTE A SALES CONTRACT

Once your house is listed and you've taken the right steps to sell it, offers from buyers will start coming in. It's important to be patient and wait for the right one. New home sellers might get excited about their first offer, but focusing only on the price can lead to problems.

The down payment, loan type, and pre-approval letter are also crucial parts of an offer. Experienced Realtors have seen deals fall through, often when buyers have little savings and barely qualify for a loan. This increases the risk of complications.

Understanding what makes a strong offer can help ensure a smooth sale without unexpected issues. If you have the flexibility to wait for a buyer with a solid down payment who can cover their own closing costs, your chances of a successful closing are much higher.

Keep these factors in mind when reviewing offers on your home. The standard sales contract commonly used by Realtors is designed to favor the buyer more than the seller. Because of this, deals can fall through easily. An experienced Realtor can quickly spot red flags in an offer and bring them to your attention. Their expertise can help you avoid costly mistakes and streamline the sale process.

STAY ON TRACK

After your sales contract is signed, keep communication flowing between you, the title company or law office, your real estate agent, and everyone else involved. Ensure your real estate agent stays in touch with the buyer’s agent and lender regularly.

While most Realtors are diligent about this, some may not be. A successful closing requires teamwork, so don’t assume everything is running smoothly. Stay proactive.

Make it clear to everyone that you are eager for updates and will be following up with them regularly. Too often, agents assume the mortgage lender is handling everything, only to discover just before closing that the deal needs an extension or has completely fallen through. You can significantly reduce the risk of last-minute surprises by checking in frequently and keeping everyone accountable.

Now that you are getting close to the end of the transaction, you'll need to have a moving process. Coordinate logistics and timing for vacating the property before or after the sale. Determine whether you need to hire movers and when you want to be completely out of the home. Get your whole family on board with your schedule.

CLOSE THE DEAL!

Once the lender gives a "clear-to-close," set up the closing appointment with the title company. Aim for a morning closing to receive your funds on the same day. This allows enough time for the wire transfer to reach your bank. This is especially important for those on the West Coast since the wire cut-off time is 6:00 PM Eastern Time. 

Remember that Fridays are the busiest days at title companies, as many buyers prefer to close before the weekend. Scheduling between Monday and Thursday can help reduce the risk of delays.

Make sure to bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, to the closing. Also, gather all keys, garage door openers, appliance manuals (if applicable), repair receipts, and any other relevant items for the new owners. As the seller, your paperwork will be minimal, and the process should only take a few minutes.

After the buyers sign their documents, the title company will send them to the lender. If everything is in order, the loan will be funded within a few hours, and you’ll receive your closing funds.

Once the funds are in your hands, take a deep breath—you did it! Now, it’s time to celebrate!

Important Things to Remember When Selling Your Home

Find the Right Real Estate Agent

Before listing your home, it’s important to understand your motivation for selling. Are you relocating for work, downsizing, or looking for a larger home? Clearly defining your goals will help you make better decisions throughout the process.

Choosing the right real estate agent is one of the most important steps in selling your home. I recommend interviewing at least three Realtors to find one who matches your personality and communication style. A skilled agent will help you determine the best time to sell, analyze local market trends, and develop a pricing strategy that attracts serious buyers.

Should You Sell Your House Without a Realtor?

Some homeowners consider selling their house on their own, known as For Sale By Owner (FSBO). While this may seem like a way to save money, the reality is that FSBO homes rarely sell successfully. In fact, only about 6% of homes sold in 2024 were FSBO transactions. A professional Realtor brings marketing expertise, negotiation skills, and market insights that can help you sell your house faster and for a better price.

Overcoming Common Selling Challenges

Overcoming common challenges when selling your home requires careful planning and the right guidance. One of the biggest advantages of working with an experienced Realtor is their ability to spot potential roadblocks before they become major issues. They’ll help you address necessary repairs, set a competitive price, and improve your home’s presentation to attract buyers. By tackling these challenges early, you can avoid unnecessary delays and make the selling process much smoother.

Beyond just negotiating the price, a skilled Realtor will also help you evaluate the entire offer. Understanding contingencies, the buyer’s mortgage pre-approval strength, and other contract details is crucial before accepting an offer. Consider contingencies, buyer qualifications, and closing timelines when assessing offers. These factors can significantly impact the likelihood of a successful closing. Your Realtor will walk you through every detail, ensuring you make informed decisions that protect your interests and lead to a seamless home sale.