The 3 Keystones to Selling Your Home: Price, Presentation, and Marketing

When selling your home, achieving the best possible outcome requires more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. Success is built on three essential keystones: price, presentation, and marketing. Each plays a critical role, and when combined effectively, they maximize your home’s potential for a successful sale.

Keystone 1: Price

The first question every seller asks is, “How much will my home sell for?” The truth is, the seller and their REALTOR® set the asking price, but the buyer ultimately determines the selling price. The key is to make the asking price attractive enough to draw in potential buyers while maximizing your return.

A skilled real estate professional doesn’t just throw out numbers—they do their homework. I approach pricing with a data-driven method called a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). This involves:

• Examining comparable recently sold homes.
• Adjusting for unique features (both pluses and minuses).
• Arriving at a price point that reflects market trends and your home’s value.

This scientific approach ensures you’re priced competitively while leaving room to negotiate. Remember, pricing goes hand-in-hand with the next keystone: presentation.

Keystone 2: Presentation

The way your home looks and feels has a powerful impact on buyers. First impressions matter, and a well-presented home can mean the difference between a quick sale and a property sitting on the market.

Here’s where my mantra comes into play: “Less is more.” De-cluttering, de-personalizing, and neutralizing your home allows buyers to envision themselves living there.

Quick Presentation Tips:

1. Neutral Paint Colors: Buyers gravitate toward clean, neutral tones. They sell faster and for more money.
2. De-Clutter and De-Personalize: Pack away personal collections and decor to widen your buyer pool.
3. Highlight Key Features: Make sure your home earns a positive nickname like the “bright kitchen house” rather than the “orange wall house.”

Sometimes, a professional stager can work wonders, using your furniture in new ways or bringing in additional elements to elevate the space. Whether it’s staging or making simple repairs, these efforts pay off in both speed and sale price.

Keystone 3: Marketing

In today’s market, marketing is where the magic happens. Your home needs maximum exposure to reach potential buyers—and that’s where I come in.

The #1 platform for showcasing homes is the MLS® (Multiple Listing Service®), but not all MLS® listings are created equal. Professional photography, detailed write-ups, and cutting-edge tools like drone photography and virtual tours make your listing stand out.

My approach to marketing includes:

• Professional Photos & Drone Shots: High-quality images capture your home’s best angles and surroundings.
• Virtual Tours: Allow buyers to explore your home remotely, making it accessible to out-of-town or tech-savvy buyers.
• Social Media Exposure: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn amplify your listing’s reach to audiences who may not be actively searching but stumble upon your home.

In addition, the brokerage I work with offers international exposure, ensuring your listing gets seen not just locally but globally.

Selling a home requires a balance of strategy and skill, and these three keystones—price, presentation, and marketing—are the foundation for success. When all three are executed effectively, your home has the best chance to sell quickly and for top dollar.