HOW TO SELL A HOUSE IN HOUSTON?

September 22, 2024

Houston real estate sales present a unique mix of possibilities and difficulties. After
eighteen years of experience in this market, I’ve learned that Houston’s diverse
neighborhoods and unique climate call for a specific strategy to get the best results.
Here’s what you need to know to sell your Houston home successfully.

Know Your Market

The real estate landscape in Houston is quite different from one neighborhood to the other.
Whether you’re in River Oaks, The Heights, or Sugar Land, you have to know what is
happening in YOUR area. You need to know average prices of homes, days on the market,
and be in touch with buyers. Effective market research is the difference between a quick sell
and the house that stays on the market for months.

Prep Your Home

Getting your home in mint condition is one of the critical steps when you are selling a house.
And that doesn’t always entail a complete overhaul. With a few small upgrades and some
good home staging, it can make the difference in attracting potential buyers.Especially in the
hot and humid climate in Houston, it is important to ensure that you don’t have any mold
inside your house. Home buyers also find great appeal in yards that are maintained well.

Well-maintained gardens and a tidy yard make for the best first impression.

Pro Tips:

1. Add A Dash of Curbside Charm: Use Houston native plants to keep your yard looking as
beautiful as possible with the least amount of effort.
2. Energy Efficiency: Get an energy audit performed to display saving on your home’s
minimal costs, especially with scorching summer temperatures.
3. New Features For Your Home: Consider tech upgrade options such as smart thermostats
or security to attract a buyers’ market that appreciates high-tech solutions.

Invest in Photography

Your online listing is the first point of contact someone will have with your property. The right
photographs clearly show that professional photography is a must. Great photographs make
your home look better, get more clicks, and generate more interest from potential buyers. It
is an investment from which you will undoubtedly see returns in the form of higher interest
and more people at your showings.

Pro Tips:

1. Twilight Shots: Taking night-time photos can showcase outdoor lighting and provide
warmth to the scene.
2. Drone Photography: Aerial images are great for larger properties because the birds-eye
view can really help show buyers the potential of a property.

Market Smartly

In such a mixed bag of options available in the Houston real estate market, you will want to
target those buyers that are looking for exactly what your motivated seller wants. This
includes accessing digital platforms, social media, and leveraging traditional marketing
channels such as mailers. You are going to get more interest and move it faster by appealing
to multiple demographics.

Pro Tips:

1. Listing Local Highlights: Mention the parks, schools, and shopping centers in your
marketing materials. Local amenities attract the buyers.
2. Provide Virtual Tours: For out-of-town buyers or anyone who may not feel comfortable
attending a showing in person, a 3D virtual tour is a wonderful thing!

Price It Right

Arguably the single most important factor in selling your home is pricing. Price too high, and
it could be a long time before your home actually sells; price too low, and you forgo potential
profit. I have 18 years in the industry to help sellers land right in that sweet spot of getting
those serious buyers to come see them, without leaving money on the table.

Open Houses and Showings

Getting your home ready for a successful open house involves more than just straightening
up. You want to set the stage for buyers; you want them to see themselves living in your
home. In Houston, this probably has to do with the air conditioning in your
home—particularly during a muggy summer heat wave.

Pro Tips:

1. Seasonal Decoration: Decor and stage your establishment seasonally (Holiday decor in
the winter and fresh flowers in the spring). Features in a room that had been flooded can
easily be restored.
2. Invite Influencers for a Special Open House: Bring in popular influencers to create social
media buzz about your open house.

Navigate Negotiations

Offers can be a worrisome time as you try to go back and forth, and this is when an
experienced agent pays for itself with its value. You see, I work behind the scenes to make
sure that everything goes as well as possible for you and handle all of the negotiations and
paperwork so that all you need to worry about is looking forward rather than back. Being
foresighted and thrifty can simplify this process and fast-track the closure.

Final Thoughts

Selling your Houston home does not have to be difficult when you know how to go
about it! With the right knowledge of the market and how to overcome these pain
points, now you can make your sale just a little easier. If you need support throughout
this process, I can be by your side and help guide you through it.