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Post on the MLS and major real estate sites
To reach the largest audience, a home’s data, photos, and description are uploaded on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a local or regional database cooperating real estate brokers use to share data and information about properties for sale.
“When a home goes into the MLS, it’s syndicated to all of the other real estate websites,” says Santistevan. That means your agent’s public-facing MLS listing should populate on sites like Zillow, Realtor, Trulia, and Homesnap as well.
Use social media to your advantage
Savvy real estate agents are well-versed in using social media channels for real estate to generate buzz and raise your home’s visibility in your area.
Agents frequently place shareable images and videos on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, and even TikTok to amp up the number of people who see their listings.
You can also complement your agent’s social media strategy with your own. Even if your network is small, it can be mighty.
But don’t forget about the impact that physical signage, brochures, postcards, and print ads can have in your digital pursuit to promote your home. These days, many print ad listings are part of packages that include a digital component, such as Facebook or Instagram listings.
The same text and images you create for a digital campaign can easily be adapted for old-school marketing materials such as signs, brochures, postcards, and print ads.
A for-sale sign is a classic no-brainer to grab the attention of any passersby.
A well-timed postcard gives neighbors advanced notice that you’re ready to sell — and the opportunity to choose their new neighbors by sharing that listing with their friends and family.
Santistevan creates a professional brochure for every client’s home. “You don’t know how many homes buyers are seeing on the same day,” she says. “When they’re reviewing the homes later, that high-quality brochure triggers a positive emotional response.”
Host open houses and broker opens
Besides giving the property more exposure, Suzanne Macnab, a coastal Maryland agent with 41 years of experience, finds open houses offer the opportunity for casual exploration that turns into kismet.
“Sometimes, someone sees an advertisement and comes to an open house — maybe it isn’t exactly the kind of home they’re looking for, or they’re not looking at all — because they’re curious,” she says. “Once they see the property, they end up purchasing the home.”
Brokers’ open houses are another good marketing strategy. Shortly after your listing goes live, your agent might host a gathering of select real estate brokers and agents at your home, so they can investigate whether your property is right for their clients.
NAR data shows that 88% of recent buyers purchased their homes through a real estate agent or broker. So, it’s no surprise a broker’s open is sometimes more lucrative than a traditional open house because it can lead to more private showings and serious offers.
Engage an agent months in advance
Robinson says it’s ideal when clients contact him six months before they plan to sell.
It may seem early, but “now’s the time we can actually help clients put more money in their pocket,” he says, “because we can evaluate the home and give them a 90-day plan of action to economically get their house up to the standards for today’s buyers.”
Invest in low cost, high ROI improvements
“Since homes have become kind of a sanctuary,” says Robinson, “buyers want to make their homes a place where they can work, work out, and entertain.”
Just like there are classic features that never go out of style, there are other elements that are destined for the dustbin of design history.
Robinson reports decor that discourages buyers includes:
- Carpet in a bathroom: “I don’t know why that was ever popular,” he says.
- Dated wallpaper in a room: “It just sends a message that there’s going to be a high investment to get that off,” Robinson says.
- Different types of hardwood flooring in adjacent rooms, such as having an oak floor in the dining room and cherry in the kitchen.
- Jacuzzi tubs in bathrooms.
By contrast, agents nationwide report buyers are impressed by kitchen designs featuring:
- Warm or colorful paint
- Mixed materials
- Earth tones
- Light wood
- Bold colors
- High-tech appliances
With those preferences in mind, it might be tempting to pursue a remodel before your listing.
According to the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, a mid-range minor kitchen remodel costs about $28,458 and results in an additional $32,141 in resale value. On average, a mid-range bathroom remodel costs about $26,138 and is likely to garner approximately $20,915 at resale.
However, because many buyers prefer to save money on the purchase price and adapt the home to suit their own design aesthetic, Macnab advises homeowners to “avoid over-improving the home.”
Instead, she advocates repairs and improvements that offer a high return on investment, such as punch-list items (see below) that typically cost $300 or less and add an additional $1,000 or more in value.
Declutter and take care of deferred maintenance
Never underestimate the appeal of a decluttered, well-maintained home. If a buyer sees deferred maintenance in one area, it overshadows their decision to invest the highest amount and the offer price.
That may be more important than ever, as the NAR reports millennials comprise 29% of home purchasers. As a generation generally disinterested in family heirlooms, it’s no surprise they’re unwilling to inherit major problems from previous property owners.
Clutter, seller presence, and filth are some of the most overlooked preparations when selling a home. HomeLight agents identify some of the clutter you should remove before selling:
- Anything that isn’t essential for daily living (27%)
- Personal photos and family memorabilia (18%)
- Excess furniture (16%)
- Bulky collections and knick-knacks (12%)
- Outdated or over-the-top décor (7%)
- Clutter in storage areas, such as garages, closets, or the attic (5%)
- Pet supplies and evidence of pets (5%)
- Other, e.g., old rugs, unused exercise equipment (10%)
Avoid the biggest blindspots for overconfident sellers
You never get a second chance to make a first impression — particularly with brokers and buyers. So, before hosting open houses or broker opens, it’s important to make sure your house shines.
These are some of the main reasons a home sale might fall through:
- Home inspection uncovers major issues (27%)
- Seller refuses repair requests or concessions (12%)
- Appraisal comes in below the sale price (6%)
Conversely, here are some of the most common seller concessions or credits that help seal the deal:
- Closing cost credits (58%)
- Price reduction based on inspector findings (20%)
- Seller-paid interest rate buydown (7%)
- Post-closing repair credits (6%)
- Inclusion of personal property or appliances (3%)
