Your Home Selling Journey
From pricing strategy to closing day—let's get you top dollar with zero drama
Seven Steps to a Successful Sale
Selling your home isn't just a transaction—it's a major life transition. You want top dollar, obviously, but you also want the process to go smoothly, quickly, and without the stress that comes from amateur mistakes or outdated strategies.
Here's exactly how I'll guide you through the seven stages of selling, from understanding your home's true value to handing over the keys. No fluff, no outdated tactics—just modern marketing, strategic pricing, and professional representation that gets results.
Market analysis beyond Zillow
Know What You're Worth
Online estimates are fun to check, but they don't know your home like I do. Real pricing strategy comes from understanding what buyers actually paid for similar homes recently—not what someone hoped they'd pay three months ago.
Deep dive into comparable sales: I'll pull recent sales (not just listings) in your neighborhood that actually match your home's size, condition, and features. We're looking at what closed, not what expired.
Market timing matters: Are we in a hot spring market or slower winter? Are interest rates climbing or stable? These factors change pricing strategy dramatically. I'll show you the data so you understand the 'why' behind the numbers.
Property condition analysis: Your home's updates, maintenance, and overall condition directly impact value. I'll walk through what buyers will notice (both good and concerning) and how it affects your position.
Competitive positioning: If there are three similar homes listed right now, we need a different strategy than if you're the only game in town. I'll show you the current competition and explain how we stand out.
Pro Tip
Overpricing 'to leave room for negotiation' usually backfires. Homes priced right from day one attract the most buyers and often get multiple offers. Overpriced homes sit, then sell for less after price drops scare buyers away.
Strategic prep that pays off
Make It Shine
You don't need to renovate your kitchen, but you do need to make buyers feel good the second they walk in. Think of it as staging an audition—your home's competing against every other listing they'll see today.
Curb appeal wins showings: Buyers decide if they're interested before they even open the door. Fresh mulch, trimmed bushes, clean walkways, and a welcoming entry aren't expensive—but they're essential. My landscape design background means I can suggest quick wins that fit your budget.
Depersonalize strategically: Family photos, kids' artwork, hobby collections—these tell your story, not theirs. Pack them away so buyers can imagine their own life here. It's not about erasing personality; it's about creating a blank canvas.
Deep clean everything: Seriously, everything. Baseboards, light fixtures, inside cabinets, grout lines, windows. Buyers equate cleanliness with care. If it looks like you maintained it well, they assume everything works well. I ran a cleaning business—I know the spots buyers check.
Fix the obvious stuff: That loose handrail, the slow-draining sink, the doorbell that doesn't work—these small things make buyers wonder what else you've ignored. Quick fixes prevent big doubts.
Pro Tip
Focus your effort where buyers look first: kitchen, bathrooms, and entry spaces. These rooms make or break first impressions. The basement storage area? Less critical unless you're selling to someone who needs that space.
Professional media makes the difference
Photography That Sells
Here's the reality: 95% of buyers start their search online. Your listing photos are your first—and sometimes only—chance to make them fall in love. Professional media makes all the difference.
Professional photography with perfect lighting: I work with photographers who know how to showcase spaces—wide angles that make rooms feel larger, natural lighting that feels inviting, detail shots that highlight upgrades. Every room gets its best angle.
FAA-licensed drone photography for every listing: This isn't optional for me—it's standard. Aerial shots show your property's lot, the neighborhood context, proximity to water or parks, and the overall setting in ways ground photos can't. I contract Part 107 certified pilots because quality and safety matter.
Pro Tip
Great photos do more than attract buyers—they justify your asking price. Professional media signals 'this seller is serious and this home is worth it.'
Getting in front of qualified buyers
Strategic Marketing
Sticking a sign in the yard and hoping for the best went out with newspaper classifieds. Modern marketing means being everywhere your buyers are looking—and they're looking online, on their phones, at midnight.
MLS exposure that works: Your listing goes on the MLS, yes, but also automatically syndicates to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and dozens of other sites buyers actually use. I optimize your listing description and details so you show up in their searches.
Social media reach: I promote listings across multiple platforms and targeted local groups where buyers in your price range hang out. Boosted posts with your drone footage? They get attention.
Print marketing where it still matters: Local mailers, property flyers, and signage still work in certain markets and price ranges. If it makes sense for your home, I'll use it. If it doesn't, I won't waste your money.
Pro Tip
Marketing isn't set-it-and-forget-it. I track which channels bring showings, adjust strategy based on feedback, and pivot if something isn't working. Your listing stays fresh and visible until it sells.
What buyers are really thinking
Showings & Feedback
Showings are great. Offers are better. But feedback is how we get from one to the other. Every buyer who walks through tells us something—if we're listening.
Flexible showing access: The easier it is to see your home, the more buyers will actually show up. I coordinate schedules, use lockboxes when appropriate, and make it simple for agents to get their buyers inside. Difficult access = fewer showings = longer market time.
Professional showing management: I handle all the scheduling, confirmations, and follow-ups. You get notified when showings are happening, but you don't have to play phone tag with a dozen agents. And yes, you should leave during showings—buyers speak more freely when sellers aren't hovering.
Detailed feedback collection: After every showing, I contact the buyer's agent for real feedback. Not just 'they liked it' but specifics: What did they love? What concerned them? How does your home compare to others they're seeing? This intelligence shapes our strategy.
Strategic adjustments: If three buyers in a row mention the same concern, we address it. If everyone loves the backyard but thinks the price is high, we have a decision to make. Feedback isn't just information—it's your roadmap to a sale.
Pro Tip
Keep your home show-ready. I know it's exhausting, but those last-minute showing requests are often serious buyers who just saw five other homes and want to compare. Being available wins deals.
Getting the best terms, not just price
Offers & Negotiation
You might get multiple offers. You might get one perfect offer. You might get lowballs. My job is to evaluate every offer not just by price, but by the whole picture—and then negotiate strategically to get you the best deal.
Offer evaluation beyond the number: Price matters, but so does the buyer's financing strength, their contingencies, closing timeline, and how much they're asking you to cover. A $10K higher offer with shaky financing might be worse than a slightly lower all-cash offer with no contingencies.
Counteroffer strategy: Rarely is the first offer the best offer. I'll show you where we have leverage and craft counteroffers that protect your interests while keeping buyers engaged. It's a negotiation dance, and I know the steps.
Multiple offer situations: If we're lucky enough to have competing buyers, I'll structure the process to maximize your position without violating ethics rules. Buyers competing against each other often results in better terms across the board—price, timeline, contingencies.
Managing inspection negotiations: Almost every buyer will inspect. Some findings are legitimate deal points; others are fishing expeditions for credits. I help you distinguish between 'this needs fixing' and 'they're trying to renegotiate' so you don't give away value unnecessarily.
Pro Tip
Don't get emotionally attached to the first offer. Sometimes the second or third offer is better—or the first buyer comes back stronger after seeing competition. Trust the process and lean on data, not feelings.
From acceptance to keys in their hands
Close the Deal
Accepted offer in hand, now the real work begins. Escrow, inspections, appraisals, title issues, buyer cold feet—there are a dozen ways deals fall apart between contract and close. I make sure yours doesn't.
Escrow coordination: The escrow company manages the money and paperwork, but I manage the timeline. Earnest money deposited on time? Check. Contingencies removed by deadline? Check. Documents signed and returned promptly? I'm on it so you don't have to track every detail.
Inspection management: Buyers will inspect. I'll attend if you want, help you understand the report, and advise on how to respond to repair requests. Some things are worth fixing; some are worth negotiating credits; some are worth standing firm. Experience matters here.
Appraisal navigation: If the buyer is financing, the home must appraise at or above the sale price. If it doesn't, we have options: renegotiate price, ask the buyer to cover the gap, or provide comps to challenge the appraisal. I've handled all three scenarios.
Problem solving until closing day: Title issues pop up. Buyers get nervous. Lenders request weird documents at the last minute. I've seen it all, and I know how to keep deals together when they start wobbling. Communication and quick problem-solving save transactions.
Pro Tip
Stay responsive during escrow. When I call or email asking for something, it's usually time-sensitive. Quick responses keep the deal moving smoothly toward closing. Delays create opportunities for buyers to back out.
Ready to Sell Smart?
Let's talk about your home's value and create a strategy that gets you the best price in the shortest time.
Call Christine TodayThinking About Selling?
Whether you're ready to list tomorrow or just exploring your options, I'd love to hear about your situation and share what your home could sell for in today's market.