This or That: Real Estate Edition, What Sellers Should Really Do
Thinking of selling your home but unsure of the best approach? You’re not alone. Every seller is faced with decisions that can impact how quickly their home sells, how much it sells for, and how stressful the experience is.
In this article, we’re playing a real estate version of “This or That?”, but with expert explanations behind each choice. Whether you’re prepping for market or just curious, this guide will help you understand the why behind common selling strategies.
Should You Underprice or Overprice Your Home?
✅ The Winner: Underpricing
Underpricing can be a strategic move, especially in a hot market. By pricing slightly below market value, you can attract more buyers, generate competition, and spark a bidding war—potentially driving the sale price above your expectations.
Overpricing, on the other hand, often leads to your home sitting on the market. The longer it’s listed, the more leverage buyers gain. Even with future price drops, your home may be overlooked as stale.
Should You Sell in Spring or Fall?
🏁 The Verdict: It Depends
Spring is a historically active time with more buyers and more competition. U.S. market trends show homes often sell for slightly more in the spring.
Fall, however, can be a sweet spot for motivated buyers and less seller competition. Plus, real estate professionals may have more availability to give your listing extra attention.
Should You Invest in Professional Staging, Cleaning, and Photography or Go DIY?
🛋️ The Verdict: Case-by-case
Professionals can maximize your home’s visual appeal and boost your selling price, but they come with a cost. If your home already shows well, a few minor DIY improvements might be enough.
At a minimum, don’t skip good photography. That first impression online is what draws buyers in. If you’re unsure what you need, your real estate agent or even AI tools (like ChatGPT!) can help create layout and staging ideas.
Should You Get a Pre-Listing Home Inspection or Let the Buyer Handle It?
🔍 The Winner: Pre-Listing Inspection
A pre-listing inspection gives you a full picture of your home’s condition upfront. You can fix major issues, list your property confidently, and avoid surprises during negotiation.
Leaving it to the buyer shifts control to them—and gives them ammo to negotiate your price down.
Renovate to Add Value or Sell As-Is?
🔨 The Winner: Essential Repairs Only
Costly renovations rarely return full value. New owners may want different finishes or even plan to remodel anyway.
Focus on necessary repairs (like leaks or holes in walls) to make your home move-in ready, but skip the big upgrades.
Use a Real Estate Agent or Go FSBO (For Sale By Owner)?
📣 The Winner: Agent
Selling on your own can save on commission but comes with added stress, legal risk, and less market exposure.
Agents offer pricing advice, marketing, professional networks, and paperwork support. Most sellers find the added value worth the cost.
Require Notice Before Showings or Allow Anytime Access?
🕒 The Verdict: Be Flexible
It’s tough to keep your home ready at all times, but making it easy for buyers to view your property increases the chances of selling faster.
Strive for a balance, set realistic windows, but don’t be too restrictive.
Emotions or Logic When Negotiating?
💡 The Winner: A Balanced Approach
Emotions can influence your decisions, maybe you’d rather sell to a family than a developer, but numbers shouldn’t be ignored.
Use facts, inspection reports, and market data to guide pricing. Let your agent handle tough negotiations while you focus on your goals.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to selling a home. But asking the right questions and working with experienced professionals will help you make smart, informed decisions at every step.
If you’re preparing to list or just starting to explore your options, reach out today. I’d be happy to walk you through your best “This or That” choices based on your unique situation.