The Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Home This Summer

By Bryan David

Bryan David is one of the best REALTORS® serving Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport and the entire coast. He is a Biloxi native, military veteran and retiree, and a multi-year top-producing agent with hundreds of satisfied clients.

As the summer progresses, many homeowners are still considering selling their homes. However, things have changed significantly from the red-hot seller’s market in recent years. We’re now in a neutral market and are swiftly moving towards a buyer’s market, with inventory rising and prices beginning to edge down. Don’t let this discourage you; selling your home is still very achievable with the right approach. Here’s what you must do to ensure your home stands out in this competitive market.

1. Address minor repairs. Addressing minor repairs around your home is crucial to ensure a smooth sale process. Do a thorough walkthrough of your home to identify and fix potential problems, such as rotten wood, missing window screens, cracked windows, flooring issues, and leaky plumbing. Even seemingly minor issues like burnt-out light bulbs should be addressed, as they can unnecessarily raise buyer concerns. By taking care of these repairs upfront, you can present your home in the best possible light and avoid last-minute surprises that could jeopardize the sale.

2. Stage your home. Start by depersonalizing the space—pack away personal photos, memorabilia, and any items you won’t need until after the move. The goal is to allow buyers to envision the house as their own. If you’re planning to move out before selling, consider whether to leave some furniture behind for staging purposes. The general rule of thumb is to go all in or not at all because leaving a few pieces of furniture can make the home feel incomplete or cluttered. You can either stage the home fully with thoughtfully arranged furniture or remove everything.

3. Make your home accessible. Buyers need to be able to see the property, and if it’s difficult to schedule a showing, they may move on to other options. Develop a solid plan for how to handle showings, especially if you have children or pets. How much notice do you need before a showing? Can you accommodate last-minute requests? The home should always be show-ready, requiring only a quick tidy-up before each visit. The easier you make it for buyers to see your home, the more likely you are to sell it quickly.

These three tips: tackling minor repairs, staging, and improving accessibility to your home will guarantee a quick and successful sale, especially when you sell it for the right price. The market has been flat for the past six months and is now starting to decline. While homes are still selling, we’re not seeing the high prices that were common just a few years ago, so setting a competitive price will give you an advantage.

If you need expert guidance or have any questions about selling your home, I’m here to help. Call or email me today to discuss how we can sell your home quickly and for the best possible price.