Thinking about selling your home in 2025? Whether you’re chasing top dollar or hoping for a quick, smooth closing, a strategic approach makes all the difference. We interviewed top agents and analyzed today’s market to bring you the best tips for selling your home — no matter what the market throws your way.
Top tip: Work with a skilled real estate agent
A great listing agent does more than put your home on the MLS; they're your best resource for a successful home sale. The right agent will
- Set a smart, competitive listing price
- Recommend staging and repairs
- Coordinate marketing and showings
- Negotiate offers on your behalf
- Navigate inspections, disclosures, and paperwork
Even if it feels like you could do it all yourself, you'll likely benefit from a realtor's expertise. In fact, almost 9 out of 10 sellers who sold on their own say they would consider hiring an agent next time they decide to sell.[1]
Working with an agent also gets you a better sales price. Sellers who use an agent make $79,000 more on average than those who don’t.[1]
- Answer 5 simple questions about your sale
- Get matched with 2 to 3 top local agents in minutes
- Choose the best fit and save up to 50% on listing fees
Top tips for selling your home in 2025
1. Be proactive — don't just list and wait
Many realtors we talked to share the same sentiment: It’s no longer enough in 2025 to simply put your home on the MLS and wait for a buyer to show up. Serious sellers need to take initiative. That includes pricing competitively, prepping the home, and marketing it strategically.
Here’s what Robert O'Connor, a broker from Serhant, decided to do after thoroughly preparing the home for sale: “Instead of waiting for buyers to find us, I launched a targeted digital campaign before going live that aimed at people most likely to be interested in this type of home.” The result speaks for itself, he says, as “in just five days, we had multiple offers, and the home sold above asking price for all cash.”
Today’s top agents are part marketer, part matchmaker. When choosing your agent, review their past listings, read client reviews, and ask about their digital strategy.
2. Time your sale right
Another home selling tip is to approach your home sale strategically, which requires research. Every housing market is different, and staying on top of the local and national trends can help you maximize the selling process.
One thing you can do is research your market’s seasonality. For example, the peak buying season is usually April through June. Home sales during these months bring in more buyers, have faster selling times, and have potentially higher asking prices.[2]
And 2025 could be unique. If mortgage rates drop as expected, we could see stronger demand throughout the year.
- To make your timing work for you:
- Consult your agent on the ideal window to list
- Research local seasonality trends
- Watch mortgage interest rate forecasts
3. Price it to spark competition
The listing price can have a great impact on the speed of the sale. “Overpricing can leave your home sitting on the market, especially now that buyers have more options,” says Brett Johnson from New Era Home Buyers. However, this doesn't mean that you have to lowball just to sell your home quickly.
Some agents manage to sell a home in just a few weeks without sacrificing the homeowner’s profits. “Pricing a home slightly below market value generates immediate interest and creates competition among buyers, often leading to multiple offers with more favorable pricing and terms for sellers,” shares Mike Severns, founder of The Severns Group.
It's also important not to price the home too low, which can lead buyers to assume that something is wrong with the house. A local realtor can complete a comparative market analysis to help you strike the right balance when setting a listing price.
4. Prep your home to shine
Start preparing your home at least a month before listing. Focus on:
- Repairs: Fix leaky faucets, broken fixtures, and cosmetic issues
- Decluttering: Box up anything you don’t use daily
- Depersonalizing: Make it easier for buyers to picture themselves in the space
Consider a pre-listing home inspection. “I encourage my sellers to get a pre-listing home inspection so that any potential roadblocks to a successful sale can be identified and resolved,” says Jo Ann Bauer, an associate broker and realtor.
Buyers want a move-in ready home. Even small fixes and clean presentation can boost offers.
5. Prioritize staging and photography
You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression — especially online. Listings with high-quality photos and staging get more clicks, more showings, and better offers.
“A well-staged home with professional photos and videos can capture attention immediately,” says Robert O'Connor.
Listings with high-quality photos get more clicks, more showings, and better offers.
- Homes that are staged are 40% more likely to get an in-person showing[3]
- 20% of agents say staging boosts sales prices by 1–5%, and 14% say 6–10%[3]
“Staging lets buyers envision themselves living in the space, and often evokes emotion, which can lead to stronger offers,” adds Brett Johnson.
6. Be flexible with showings
If you need to sell your home fast, make it easy for buyers to see your home.
- Keep the house show-ready (especially evenings and weekends).
- Be prepared for last-minute appointments.
- Offer virtual tours for remote buyers.
More access = more offers. Period.
7. Renovate smarter, not harder
You don’t need a full kitchen remodel to boost your home’s value. Focus on low-cost, high-return improvements like:
- A fresh coat of paint
- Updated light fixtures or hardware
- Curb appeal upgrades (lawn care, mulch, new house numbers)
Things like adding a fresh coat of paint, upgrading any cheap, plastic light switches, and updating faucets can go a long way.
According to NAR, 92% of realtors recommend improving curb appeal before listing — and it pays off.[4] A $415 lawn care service recoups an average of 217% in added home value.[4]
Tips to save money when selling
8. Cut commission costs, not corners
The average real estate commission for listing agents is 2.74% of the home's sale price. But you don’t have to pay full price to get full service.
Clever Real Estate pre-negotiates rates with top agents so you pay just a 1.5% listing fee — with no compromises on quality. That’s about half of the usual commission for the same level of service.
Clever matches you with top local realtors from trusted brands — like Keller Williams and RE/MAX — for a discounted listing fee of just 1.5%. That's half the 3% rate realtors typically charge!
Sellers who use Clever save on average $7,000 on commission and get offers 2.8x faster than the national average. Ready to find a top agent? Enter your zip code below to get started.
9. Avoid common seller mistakes
Want to sell faster and for more? Avoid these pitfalls:
- Overpricing your home
- Ignoring curb appeal
- Skipping professional photos
- Being inflexible about showings
- Failing to disclose known issues
Working with an experienced agent can help you sidestep these and other costly missteps.
FAQ
What is the best strategy to sell a house in 2025?
There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy to sell a house. However, hiring an experienced agent, pricing your house competitively, prepping it thoroughly, and using professional photos and marketing are always good ideas.
What small things help a house sell?
Decluttering, deep cleaning, fresh paint, new fixtures, and strategic staging can all make a big impact.
Do you need a realtor to sell your home?
Not legally — but it’s usually worth it. Sellers with agents make far more than those who sell on their own (on average, $79,000 more), and agents handle tricky logistics.
What are some tips for selling your home by owner?
Tips for selling your home by owner include decluttering, deep cleaning, and investing in professional photography. Also, learn more about the local real estate market (to price your home accurately) and get access to the MLS through a flat fee MLS company.
However, in almost all cases, it's worth it to use a realtor who can help you make more money from the sale.
