Before Selling Your Home, You MUST DO This!

by Laurie Dick

In 2024, 4.06 million existing homes were sold—a significant number, but the lowest in nearly 30 years. Higher mortgage rates and rising home prices made buyers more hesitant. While 2025 is expected to bring better opportunities, preparing your home for sale remains crucial to standing out in the market.

If you’re considering selling—whether soon or in the next few years—taking the right steps now can maximize your home’s value and make the process much smoother. Here’s what you need to do before putting up that “For Sale” sign.

Step 1: Understand Your Local Market

Knowing your local real estate market is key. Research recent sales in your neighborhood, not just listing prices, but actual sold prices. This will give you a realistic idea of what buyers are willing to pay.

Pro tip: If you need local stats for Stillwater, Hudson, or other areas, we’d be happy to pull custom reports for you!

Step 2: Think Like a Buyer

Buyers are drawn to homes that feel fresh, inviting, and move-in ready. Simple updates can make a big difference:

Apply a fresh coat of neutral paint (warm whites or soft grays work best).
Declutter and deep clean every room.
Maximize natural light by opening blinds and using light-colored curtains.

Buyers want to envision themselves in your home, so keep decor neutral and appealing.

Step 3: Make Online Presentation a Priority

Since over 90% of buyers start their search online, high-quality listing photos are essential. Always hire a professional real estate photographer—dark, blurry phone pictures won’t cut it.

If your home is vacant, virtual staging can help buyers visualize the space, making your listing even more appealing.

Step 4: Plan Ahead, Even If You’re Not Selling Yet

Even if selling is years away, small improvements over time will help you get top dollar when the time comes. Consider:

Maintaining curb appeal with regular landscaping.
Keeping up with home maintenance—fix leaky faucets and update old fixtures.
Adding energy-efficient features like smart thermostats or updated windows.

These small efforts can make a big impact when it’s time to list your home.

Let’s Position Your Home for Success

Selling your home is a big step, but with the right preparation, you can attract buyers and maximize your value.

✔ Stay informed on market trends.
✔ Make smart updates that appeal to buyers.
✔ Invest in professional listing photos.

Curious about your home’s current value? Reach out, and we’d be happy to provide a market analysis tailored to your area.

Looking for more home-selling tips? Stay tuned for more expert insights!

Market Stats

New Listings

Percentage Change Compared to January of Last Year (2024):

January 2024:
- Stillwater School District: 79
- Hudson School District: 32
- Total New Listings: 111
January 2025:
- Stillwater School District: 76
- Hudson School District: 30
- Total New Listings: 106
December 2024:
- Stillwater School District: 58
- Hudson School District: 19
- Total New Listings: 77

📉 New Listings are down 4.50% since last year and up 37.66% since December.

Price Change

Percentage Change Compared to January of Last Year (2024):

January 2024:
- Stillwater School District: $403,447
- Hudson School District: $490,050
- Average Price: $446,748.50
January 2025:
- Stillwater School District: $550,477
- Hudson School District: $412,753
- Average Price: $481,615
December 2024:
- Stillwater School District: $554,694
- Hudson School District: $537,578
- Average Price: $546,136