5 Tips to Sell Your Home in Washington, D.C.

When you are selling a home in Washington, D.C., you have to approach the transaction with careful planning. 

The city is known for vibrant neighborhoods, historical significance, and proximity to government buildings. As such, homes in The District can command a high price. 

Sellers can make a windfall, but homeowners can lose out on a great deal without the proper guidance. Improving your curb appeal helps, but if you want to get the most for your home, there are additional strategies you should employ. 

To help homeowners approach the sale process, below are some of the top tips to help you sell your home in the District. 

Tips to sell your home in Washington D.C.

• Declutter your home
• Curate your curb appeal 
• Price your home correctly
• Work with a D.C. realtor
• Have professional photos taken
• Declutter your home

When a buyer steps into your house, you want them to picture themselves living in the space. That can be hard to do if the shelves in your condo are full of photos and mementos. 

The easiest way to create an inviting atmosphere for a dwelling is to replace photos with placeholder art. Clearing clutter is also helpful, as it helps buyers picture how their items would fit in a space. Consider renting a storage spot to keep your gym equipment, art supplies, or other large items while you show your property to buyers. 

Next up, you want to maximize natural light, so open the curtains and blinds to brighten your home. Clean windows are essential, so hire a cleaning service or take the time to ensure they are in pristine condition before buyers come for a viewing. 

You’ll also want to ensure the home’s colors are as close to neutral as possible. While you may love the lush purple in your living room, it can turn off potential buyers as they try to picture their furniture in the space. 

Lastly, clean the faucets, neatly arrange hand towels, and have your bedsheets in tip-top form. 

Curate your curb appeal 

Curb appeal is a significant factor for many buyers and may depend on the D.C. neighborhood you’re in and style of the home. 

If you have a brownstone in Georgetown, you may have red brick sidewalks and a small lawn or porch attached to the home. So make sure your sidewalk is debris-free, flower pots have fresh plants, and the facade is clean of dirt and grime. Of course, you want to ensure that any wrought-iron railings are freshly-painted and the exterior lighting fixtures are clean and bright. 

If you have a home in a neighborhood like Woodley Park with a larger plot, improving the curb appeal means keeping a well-mowed lawn, adding fresh mulch to flowerbeds, and pruning back any overgrown trees or shrubs. 

Keeping the doorknob clean, putting up shiny new home numbers, and a fresh paint job can also go a long way. Clean the gutters and downspouts if you want to go the extra mile. 

Price your home correctly

Choosing the right price is one of the best ways to help sell your home quickly and get the top dollar for your property. 

When you list your Washington, D.C. home for sale, you want to price it fairly and maximize your sale price. However, if you price the home too high, your listing might stall.

In a market like Washington, D.C., pricing your home competitively is crucial. Working with an expert real estate broker can be invaluable, as they can give you a comparative market analysis bolstered by historical sales data in your area. 

For instance, sometimes pricing just below market rate can bring in a lot of buyers, who will bid over each other to try and win a deal with you. 

Your property’s location and features can also affect the eventual listing price. Things like proximity to government institutions, the home’s historical significance, if any, and the neighborhood's unique attractions can all play a significant part in competitively pricing your home. 

Work with a D.C. realtor

One of the best ways to sell your home and get a great deal is to work with a professional D.C. real estate agent. 

Listing agents are experts in real estate sales. So they will know up-to-date price points across The District and can help identify the ideal listing price for your home. In addition, an agent can help you understand more about what days of the week to list the property to get the most traction on your sale.

They can also help with marketing your home on multiple listing services and help with showing your home to potential buyers at open houses. A dedicated agent can also help you understand closing costs, too. 

Lastly, they represent your interests and will work to make sure you get the best deal for your home in the selling process. Selling a home in D.C. can be complicated, and having a dedicated agent can help you earn thousands of dollars compared to selling for sale by owner. 

Depending on the agent you work with, you can even save thousands of dollars at closing. If you work with an agent from Prevu, they will partner with you to list for 2% of the sale price of the home. 

Have professional photos taken

First impressions count when selling a house. When potential buyers scour the net for homes to buy, home sellers want the photos to stand above the rest. 

High-quality photographs are the best way to capture the essence and highlights of your home. While anyone can take a basic picture of your living room, a professional photographer can highlight the spaciousness of your home and make its unique features stand out. 

Additionally, professionals will create a consistent and polished look across each room, even if one has a darker color palate than others. Engaging and high-quality visuals can make potential buyers more inclined to schedule viewings and possibly take the next step in the buying process. 

While you may balk at the cost of hiring a professional, professionally-taken photos will raise attention on your home and potentially bring in a higher selling price.

Planning to sell your home? Learn how you can save thousands on listing commission with Prevu’s seller service.