Thinking About Listing Your Home? Here’s Where I’d Start

If selling your home has crossed your mind—even if it’s more of a “maybe sometime next year” thought than a “put the sign in the yard tomorrow” thought—there are a few things worth knowing before you get started.

And the first one might surprise you:

Don’t start fixing everything.

Seriously.

One of the conversations I have with homeowners all the time starts with, “I know we need to do this, this, this and this before we could ever sell…”

Maybe. But maybe not.

Before you spend thousands of dollars replacing flooring, painting every room, remodeling a bathroom or tackling a giant list of projects, talk to a Realtor who knows what buyers in our market are actually looking for.

Some improvements can absolutely help your home sell. Others may make very little difference in what a buyer is willing to pay. I'd much rather have that conversation with you before you spend the money.

Pricing Isn't About What Your Neighbor's House Sold For

Nearby sales matter—a lot—but determining your home's market value isn't as simple as saying, “The house down the street sold for $300,000, so mine is worth $300,000.”

I look at things like:

• Recent comparable sales
• Current competing listings
• Pending properties
• Square footage and lot size
• Updates and overall condition
• Bedrooms, bathrooms and layout
• Location within the neighborhood
• Features buyers are currently paying more—or less—for

And then there's something you can't get from an automated online estimate: what I'm actually seeing and hearing from buyers in our local market.

That's why pricing correctly from the beginning matters.

Preparation Matters

The homes that make a great first impression tend to put themselves in a much better position when they hit the market.

That doesn't necessarily mean expensive renovations.

Sometimes it's decluttering, touching up paint, improving curb appeal, fixing a few deferred-maintenance items and making sure the home photographs beautifully.

My job isn't to walk through your house and hand you a giant, expensive to-do list.

It's to help you determine where your time and money will actually make a difference—and where it won't.

You Don't Have to Be Ready to Sell to Start the Conversation

This may be the biggest misconception.

You don't need to call me the week you're ready to list.

In fact, I'd rather talk to you months before you're planning to sell.

We can look at your home's current value, talk about the market, discuss anything you might want to do before listing and put together a timeline that makes sense for you.

And if the answer at the end of that conversation is, “I'm staying right here,” that's perfectly fine too.

Curious What Your Home Is Worth?

Because I live here too, I'm paying particular attention to what's happening in our neighborhood—what's listing, what's selling, how quickly it's selling and what buyers are paying.

If you'd like a complimentary CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) for your home, I'd be happy to prepare one for you.

No automated estimate. No obligation. Just a personalized look at your property and the current market.

Simply reply “CMA”, call or text me at 419-908-3330, and I'll take it from there.

Christina Roberto, REALTOR®
Tracy Jones Team | Keller Williams Elevate
419-908-3339

Amazing Agents. Amazing Results.