Real estate markets fluctuate depending on the economy at the time and various other factors. Depending on what you’re doing and which side the market is on, you could either win or lose big. Trying to sell a house during a buyer’s market could mean that you may not be able to get as much for your home than if it were a seller’s market. Understanding when the best time to sell a house is can be tricky, so stay in close contact with your real estate agent for updates on market trends and conditions.

If you aren’t in a hurry to sell, keep in touch with your agent and you can try waiting for the market to improve. When it does come time to sell, your agent will go over some details about how to market the property, how to get it ready, deciding on a listing price, scheduling open houses, and more. When you’re selling your home, it’s important to have a real estate agent who understands these steps and to ensure that your home isn’t sitting on the market for longer than necessary.

If you have outdated paint colors, old carpet, or minor repairs or updates that need to be made, these things should happen before actually putting the house on the market. You don’t need to spend too much time or money fixing up the house, but a few updates to the landscaping or updating the kid’s room to a neutral paint color instead of pink can go a long way in making the house more presentable and appealing to potential buyers.

When the house is listed for sale, be sure to keep it clean and tidy, especially before open houses. You’ll want to put away kids and pet toys, keep countertops clear, remove personal items and pictures from the walls, and remove any debris from the yard.

Even if you are still living in the house, you may want to consider rearranging furniture or putting some pieces in storage to make rooms appear bigger. By removing a coffee table or end table in the living room, it can open up walking space, making it easier for visitors to walk freely around the space. Switching up family photos with landscapes or local images of Orange County can make it easier for potential buyers to envision their own belongings in the house. Talk with your real estate agent for tips on how to stage your home.

Setting a listing price is one of the most important steps of the home selling process. In order to determine a listing price, your real estate agent will complete a thorough market analysis, including looking at comparable homes in the area, the neighborhood, the condition of the house, and more. While your agent can’t select a price for you, they can offer guidance and a professional opinion based on their market research. You’ll want to choose a price that isn’t so high that it scares people away, meaning the house sits on the market, and you end up having to drop the price; but also not too low that you end up undervaluing your home, losing out on potential profits.

When the offers start coming in, get ready to reject low-ball offers, and to negotiate with potential buyers on the price and terms of the contract. Negotiating is a significant part of the process, but your agent will be there to help you understand the importance of certain clauses and contingencies, to ensure you get a fair price for the house, and more. There can be a lot of back-and-forth when trying to sell a house, so be sure to work with a real estate agent who can play hardball when necessary.

When you get an offer that meets, or even exceeds your needs, then it’s time to accept! There are still various things that can cause the deal to fall through, such as the house doesn’t pass inspection or the buyers get cold feet, but once an offer is accepted, you’re well on your way to finalizing the sale. You’ll need to schedule a closing, finalize some paperwork, and complete some other administrative work, but now you can relax and focus on finding your new home!