3 Steps To Get Top Dollar for Your Home This Summer

By Darren James

Darren James is a highly accomplished real estate professional and the founder of one of Baton Rouge’s premier real estate firms. With over 20 years of experience in selling and marketing real estate.

When talking to clients who plan on selling their home this summer, they always ask me, “What should I expect when selling my home?” And I always give them the same answer.

First, get pre-approved with a lender. You might think pre-approval is just for buyers, but it’s just as important when you’re selling. Life changes, such as job shifts, pay raises, or a move from two incomes to one, can impact your buying power.

Before you put your home on the market, you need to know exactly what you can afford next. Getting pre-approved ensures there are no surprises when it’s time to make your next move.

Next, meet with your agent to plan your strategy. Once you have your pre-qualification, sit down with your real estate agent to map out your selling plan. A good agent will run three essential reports to guide your pricing and marketing decisions:

● Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). Shows what homes in your neighborhood are selling for so you can price competitively.

● Total Market Overview (TMO). Look at the entire zip code to understand broader competition.

● Absorption Rate Report. Tells you how long it could take to sell your home based on the current home supply and demand, assuming no other homes in that price range come onto the market.

If you want to go deeper into pricing your home correctly, you can check out my previous video: How To Price Your Home in Today’s Market.

Lastly, get your home sold! This is where all your preparation pays off. The right pricing strategy, combined with strong marketing and professional presentation, can help you sell your home quickly and for the right price.

Summer is a busy selling season, but that also means more competition. By starting with a lender pre-approval and using these reports to guide your pricing, you’ll be better positioned to stand out, attract the right buyers, and sell on your timeline.

If you’re thinking about selling this summer or getting pre-approved, feel free to reach out to me at (225) 304-6363 or darren@agent225.com. You can also visit Agent225.com to learn more about how our team can help you.