How to Sell a House: What To Know

Step 7: Review Offers and Negotiate

Once you list your home, you’ll hopefully receive offers to buy it. Offers from potential buyers will include the price they’re willing to pay, as well as earnest money or a "good faith deposit" and a proposed closing date.

Offers may also include contingencies, which are conditions that need to be met before the buyer completes the purchase. The buyer may also provide documents, such as a prequalification letter from their mortgage lender, demonstrating they can afford to buy your home.

Review all offer details and decide which offer looks right for you. Don’t be afraid to negotiate or propose a counteroffer if there are parts of a bid you’d like to improve. Your real estate agent can help you manage these negotiations.

Step 8: Get Ready to Close the Sale of Your Home

Once you’ve accepted an offer on your home, it’s time to get ready for closing.

This means preparing to pay any closing costs that are your responsibility. You'll also need to complete and gather any necessary documents, such as the purchase contract, mortgage documents, property title report, homeowner association documents, property deed, tax and insurance information, and so on.

Your real estate agent can help you get ready for closing. You might consider hiring a real estate attorney to help, particularly if you are selling your home without an agent.

You may also need a real estate attorney if the real estate transaction is occurring in an “attorney closing state.” In these states, a real estate attorney is required for all real estate closings. These states include Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Vermont, and West Virginia.

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House?

If you are wondering how much it costs to sell your home, it’s typically around 10%–15% of the home’s final selling price. However, the exact total will depend on a variety of factors, such as:

• Staging, or preparing your home by decluttering, rearranging, and adding or removing furniture
• Real estate commissions, which can add up to as much as 6% of the sale price, though the current national average is closer to 5.7%
• Home renovations (if your home isn't in top listing condition or the buyer demands repairs as a condition of the sale)
• Pro-rated property taxes for the portion of the year when you owned the home
• Title transfer fees and title insurance fees, which are sometimes paid by buyers and sometimes by sellers

There could also be other costs, depending on the situation. For example, sometimes buyers negotiate with you to pay a portion of their closing costs. Or you may decide to pay for a home warranty for the new buyer as a negotiating tool.

You will receive closing disclosures that tell you how much you owe at closing. The money usually comes out of the proceeds of the sale.

How Long Does It Take to Sell a House?

According to a July 2026 report from the National Association of REALTORS®, it took a median of 28 days on the market to get an offer on a house. However, 28 days doesn’t include any time preparing the property for sale or closing on the house. 

Plus, there are other factors that can impact the timeline: 

• Location: Homes in sought-after school districts or neighborhoods may sell faster. 
• Condition: Homes in need of repairs and updates may sit on the market longer. 
• Price: Homes priced fairly may sell more quickly than those priced above comparable properties. 
• Property tax costs: Homes in towns with high property taxes may take longer to sell because of affordability. 

Considering these factors can help you set realistic expectations for how long it might take to sell your property.

Selling Your Home FAQs

If you still want to know more, here are some additional details about the process of selling a house.

How Can You Sell a House Fast?

Marketing the home effectively is a good start to get it in front of as many buyers as possible. You'll also want to improve curb appeal to make the home more appealing. Finally, set a competitive price, as buyers will act more quickly if they think they are getting a deal.

What’s the Best Time of Year to Sell a Home?

Traditionally, the spring season is the best time of year to sell a home. This opens access to a wide pool of potential buyers as families look to move before the start of a school year. Spring is also a nicer time for potential buyers to look at houses than in the winter.

What Adds the Most Value When Selling a House?

Improving curb appeal by refreshing landscaping and painting can be a low-cost way to add value. If you are interested in doing major home improvements, remodeling kitchens and baths usually provides the best return on investment compared with other home improvement projects.

Final Tips for How to Sell a House

Now you understand the details of how to sell a house. Check out our Homeseller Toolkit to learn more and to maximize your chances of quickly finding a buyer who is willing to pay a fair price.