How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}

Whether you are gearing up to sell your home this very moment or just flirting with the idea, you will definitely want to consider these real estate tips for selling your home for top dollar! I hope you’ll PIN this post How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}for reference later.

Sell Your Home for Top Dollar - 8 Tips to Help! #realestate #marketing #home
PIN ME to share with friends who may be selling their home! How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}

After buying and selling five homes of our own, we have learned some helpful real estate marketing tips along the way. For example, one thing I am sure of: PRETTY SELLS. Location may be everything, but PRETTY goes a long long way even when a home’s setting is not ideal. But let’s not rely on my personal experience and biases, let’s look at recent research from Zillow to explore 8 real estate marketing tips.

Affiliate links follow and using them for purchases won’t cost you extra yet may earn me a small commission.

Hello Lovely Studio. How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}

How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}

1. Sell at the Right Time.

The best time to list your home for sale? Definitely in the SPRING! If your home is located near New York, Chicago, or San Francisco, the best time to list is the last two weeks of April. If you live in the Los Angeles area, the last two weeks of May are ideal. For everywhere else in the nation, the first two weeks in May are your best bet for listing and receiving top dollar. Zillow reports that listings during this May 1-15 period nationwide, sell almost two weeks faster.

Hello Lovely Studio. How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}

2. Be Strategic With Your Home’s Listing Description

“For-sale listings touting spa-inspired bathroom features or entertainer-friendly kitchen amenities sell for more money than expected,” according to this recent Zillow analysis. That study looked at the descriptions (which mentioned home features, design styles, and amenities) of almost 4 million listings in America which closed in 2016.

Hello Lovely Studio. How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}

What features specifically make a big difference for mentioning in the listing to get top dollar?

Theater Room/Media Room, Craftsman style architecture, Modern farmhouse style, Chef’s Kitchen, Professional Appliances, Farmhouse Sink, Prep Sink, Pizza Oven, Wine Frig, Carrara Marble, Shed or Garage studio, Outdoor fireplace, Outdoor Kitchen, Pet shower, Carrara Marble, Freestanding Tub, Pet shower, Steam shower, Coffered Ceiling, Meditation Room, Herringbone floors, Heated floors, and Solar panels.

Hello Lovely Studio. How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}

Theater Room/Media Room

According to the report, home buyers are willing to pay 19% more for a home with a theater room.

Dunkley Manual Recliner
Recliner Chair: FIND HERE

These Design Styles Are Popular & Trending

Craftsmanstyle Style Architecture

Modern Farmhouse Style

Modern Farmhouse Finds!

SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Black or Bronze Accent Table
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Laurel Wreath Mirror
San Jose Handleset for Front Door
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Louis Ghost Chair
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
Tulip Style Modern Round Dining Table
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Bridge Kitchen Faucet (Stainless)
Jute Area Rug
Farmers Market Wreath
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Linen Headboard
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Marble Column Lamp
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Shop My Kitchen!
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Modern Brass Globe Pendant
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
Leather Chesterfield Sofa
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Linen Slipcover Dining Chair
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
Barn Style Farmhouse Pendant Light! Stetson 1-Light Pendant
Barn Style Farmhouse Pendant: FIND HERE
Hello Lovely Studio. How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}

These Specific Kitchen Features

Industrial Cage 1-Light Mini Pendant
Industrial Farmhouse Cage Pendant Light: FIND HERE

Chef’s Kitchen, Professional Appliances, Farmhouse Sink, Prep Sink

Hello Lovely Studio. How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}

Pizza Oven, Wine Frig, Carrara Marble

36 Bottle Single Zone Freestanding Wine Cooler
36 Bottle Wine Frig: FIND HERE

Shed or Garage Studio

Santa Rosa 12 ft. x 8 ft. Cedar Garden Shed
Cedar Garden Shed Kit 12′ x 8′ : FIND HERE

Outdoor Fireplace & Kitchen

Pet Shower

These Specific Bathroom Features

3" x 8" Marble Subway Tile in White Carrara
3″ x 8″ Carrara Marble Subway Tile: FIND HERE

Carrara Marble

Bathroom design! 54" x 29" Freestanding Soaking Bathtub
Freestanding Soaking Bathtub: FIND HERE

 Freestanding Tub

Buyers may pay 21% more if you have one, according to Zillow’s report.

Steam Shower

Coffered Ceiling

Meditation Room

Especially in Southern California!

Herringbone Floors

Heated Floors & Solar Panels

According to the report, buyers may pay 21% more for the feature of solar panels.

3. Declutter & Clean Thoroughly

Here’s a great article on how to declutter. And just in case you want a great guide to get you energized and prepped for a thorough cleaning of your home, visit this story.

Exquisite entry in French Country home with plastered ceiling, French stone clooring, and French Country decor. Segreto Finishes.
via Segreto Finishes. How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}

4. Remove Personal Items

You want potential buyers to picture themselves living happily in your space, and pictures of your family everywhere and a refrigerator covered with personal items are not consistent with that goal.

5. Make the Entry Pleasant

You want to show that there is a designated place for keys, coats, mail, etc. but do tidy up the area so it feels airy.

French Market Basket #moroccan #tote #French #market #Frenchcountry
French Market Basket: FIND HERE

6. White Towels in the Bathrooms

White towels feel spa-like and just cleaner than colorful towels.

French Country cottage bathroom decor with freestanding tub, French chair, and glass fronted cabinets storing towels. Decor de Provence.
via Decor de Provence – read the story featuring this stunning French cottage

7. Open Blinds to Maximize Light

Let as much natural light flood your rooms as possible!

Serene white kitchen with European inspired modern farmhouse style by Hello Lovely Studio. #kitchendecor #FrenchCountry #neutralinterior #kitchendesign #windowseat #tranquil
Hello Lovely Studio  How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}

8. Think Curb Appeal

One of the best things you can do is simply clean the front door, entrance, and porch area thoroughly. Power wash it if necessary. Even simple pots of fresh greenery (or faux if you can get away with it) will do wonders. Mow the lawn. Remember many buyers will drive by before making an appointment for a showing – make sure your home’s entry is inviting. Take photos then study them to tweak the plan.

French inspired courtyard with fresh greenery and French Country decor. Hello Lovely Studio
My Front Entry – Hello Lovely Studio  How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar! {8 Real Estate Marketing Tips}
Liddie Acacia Wood Garden Bench
Lutyens Garden Bench: FIND HERE
Sell Your Home for Top Dollar - 8 Tips to Help! #realestate #marketing #home
PIN ME for later!

Hope these tips helped and you discovered some inspiring ideas! I hope you’ll share this to Pinterest and Facebook so your friends see it since this is the hot season for real estate!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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12 Comments

  1. April 15, 2018 / 1:57 pm

    This was interesting! I have to say, I prefer something that’s halfway to ruin, so I can redo it to my taste. When we were looking for our house, I insisted on one thing: mature trees, because I didn’t have 30 years to wait for them to grow. The house, by contrast, was easy to change, and it did.

    • michele
      Author
      April 15, 2018 / 5:12 pm

      I think I know just what you mean. Since no house we look at is going to have the right kitchen, I would much rather look at those needing updates. Trees are so important to me too, and our present home came with a bunch of unsavory features…But the trees! You just can’t underestimate the value of them. 🙂

      • Connie
        April 16, 2018 / 9:11 am

        Call me nuts, but the kitchen is the last concern on my mind when looking at a home. Sure I don’t want it filled with barely-working appliances in a windowless space. But for me as long as it has the basics: a sink, stove, oven, frig, microwave, I’m happy enough.

        I have a brother in law who’s a professional chef. I had been seeing online all these huge kitchens and wondered about them. One article by a married couple, both chefs, said: “You really only need about 4 square feet of prep space.” So I asked my brother in law if that was true. He gave it a thought and said, “Yeah, that’s about all you really need.”

        So why all these huge kitchens? Sure I like a pretty kitchen as much as the next person but I’m ‘very old school’ in that when I cook, I want to cook without an audience. Give me a closed off kitche to hide my cooking mess and a lovely dining room to serve my guests when all’s ready.

        • michele
          Author
          April 16, 2018 / 9:41 am

          Huge kitchens make sense for a lot of families because they function as living spaces, not just for meal prep. We linger in our small kitchen, and I sooooo miss our old huge one. Everyone gravitates toward that space anyway when you entertain, so it might as well be roomy. I think I’m a little old school like you when it comes to cooking though. I need to keep my thoughts together and get in my zone so talking and having an audience makes it tricky. Kitchens really do tend to sell houses regardless of how much space is realistically needed so when you want top dollar, it truly can make a significant difference to put dollars there. 🙂

  2. April 16, 2018 / 7:31 am

    This is one fantastic list of tricks to buy/sell a house. And for the most part, We have a well-equipped entertainment room in our villa and it the point is well engaging that most people are likely to a bit high for special features available in the house. Thanks for posting such useful article, Michele 🙂

    • michele
      Author
      April 16, 2018 / 9:46 am

      Thanks for reading.:)

  3. Connie
    April 16, 2018 / 9:03 am

    I’m agreeing while I’m having a very serious giggle! Why? Well in our area it’s almost as if any one of those features would be reasons why homes DON’T sell here. Let me give you a couple examples——-

    Marble? “What?! It’s granite or go home.”

    Decluttering and de-personalizing? “They’re not buying our stuff, so it shouldn’t matter what they see!” (I am NOT kidding here!)

    Media room? “Who cares as long as I can have my 72″ flat screen TV and recliners with beer holders in them in the living room!”

    Freestanding tub? “Just give me a shower. Nobody wants a tub these days.”

    Open blinds to maximize light? “No, leave ’em closed so they don’t see the dirt.”

    Outdoor fireplace and kitchen? “Here??? Why would I pay extra for those when we could only use that about 3 months of the year! Just give me a gas barbeque cooker and I’m good to go….Hey, don’t forget the beer!”

    We’re in what some people have called “The Northern Outpost” so ideas like this will probably get here eventually…..like in about 10 years. Haha!

    Lovely post and lovely photos as always. So enjoying your blog and very happy to have found you! 🙂

    • michele
      Author
      April 16, 2018 / 9:45 am

      Thanks for playing along and addressing how these tips don’t apply to every real estate market. Swimming pools don’t fetch as much of a return in the Midwest where I live as they do in the Southwest – so you’re right, there’s no point in investing dollars into something a particular demographic will never see value in. 🙂

  4. April 16, 2018 / 10:12 am

    Great tips Michele! Fresh paint seems to work like magic too. Can’t wait to see your next fixer upper?

    • michele
      Author
      April 16, 2018 / 10:15 am

      The thought of another fixer upper makes me this old woman feel tired! I think staying put or a new build would be wonderful! 🙂

  5. Joanna
    April 16, 2018 / 10:45 am

    I read this list a couple of days ago. Obviously, these requirements are for an upscale area. I have had 12 homes and most of these would not be on my list.
    I interview realtors to pick the one that best suits my needs. Good photos are paramount to attracting buyers. A well written listing, too,
    I believe curb appeal is on top of the list. If you can’t get them to even enter your house, you miss an opportunity to sell. Gardens should be eye catching but not too busy, front door should be a welcoming color and a chair out front is inviting.
    Kitchens and baths are next on my list. They have to be functional & updated.
    Walls & trim should have a fresh coat of paint. I always use a neutral color so anyone can picture their furniture in the spaces. I like to move into a home and take my time making changes, as I get a feel for the house.
    A good location is important too. I don’t care how spectacular a house is if it’s in a less than desirable area, close to a highway, by a corner store, etc.
    No clutter, no personal items on display, no Smells!
    Lovely photos today!

    • michele
      Author
      April 16, 2018 / 11:20 am

      Great discussion and reminders, Joanna! This report definitely seems relevant to higher end homes, and it’s time sensitive to current trends. It’s not suggesting adding professional kitchen appliances to help sell a fixer upper on the swamp. Rather, it’s saying if your fixer upper on the swamp is exactly like your neighbor’s fixer except yours also boasts professional kitchen appliances, your place may sell for up to 20% more than your neighbor’s place. 🙂

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing