The Complete Treasure Coast
Home Seller's Guide

Understand Your Market

Before setting a price, study what similar homes in your neighborhood sold for in the past 3-6 months. Look at active competition (homes for sale now), pending sales, and recent solds. A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) from a local agent gives you an accurate picture.

Tip: Check our market reports page for live stats on median prices, days on market, and absorption rates by city.

Choose the Right Listing Price

Pricing is the most critical decision you'll make. Overprice and your home sits, losing buyer interest. Underprice and you leave money on the table. The sweet spot is usually 1-3% below the top of comparable homes, creating urgency without sacrificing equity.

Tip: Homes that are priced right sell 2-3x faster than overpriced homes and often receive multiple offers.

Prepare Your Home for Market

Deep clean every room, declutter, and depersonalize. Buyers need to envision themselves living there. Repaint walls in neutral tones, replace dated light fixtures, and repair obvious defects. The goal is to make every dollar of investment return $2-3 in perceived value.

Tip: Curb appeal drives first impressions. Fresh mulch, trimmed hedges, and a clean driveway matter more than you'd expect.

Professional Photography & Staging

Over 95% of buyers search online first. Professional photos directly impact how many showings you get. In today's market, consider 3D virtual tours (Matterport) and video walkthroughs. Staged homes sell faster and for more than empty or cluttered homes.

Tip: Ask your agent if professional photography is included in their services.

List on MLS and Market Aggressively

MLS syndication puts your home on Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, and thousands of sites automatically. Your agent should also market via email campaigns, social media, open houses, and their buyer network. The first 7-14 days on market are the most critical.

Review and Negotiate Offers

Don't just look at price — evaluate the full offer. Cash offers close faster with fewer conditions. Financed offers with large down payments reduce appraisal risk. Short contingency periods and flexible closing dates may be worth more than a slightly higher price.

Tip: In multiple-offer situations, ask for "highest and best" by a specific deadline rather than countering each offer individually.

Prepare for the Buyer's Inspection

Expect the buyer to request repairs after the inspection. You can agree to repairs, offer a credit at closing, reduce the price, or decline. In Florida, sellers are required to disclose known material defects. Being upfront reduces surprises and keeps deals together.

Tip: Consider a pre-listing inspection to identify issues before they become negotiating leverage for the buyer.

Navigate the Appraisal

If the buyer is financing, the lender will order an appraisal. If your home appraises below the contract price, the buyer may renegotiate or walk. To support a high appraisal, have a list of improvements you've made with dates and costs ready for the appraiser.

Handle the Final Walk-Through

The buyer will do a final walk-through before closing — usually 24-48 hours before. Make sure the property is in the same condition as when they made their offer, all agreed repairs are complete, and agreed-upon items (appliances, fixtures) are still present.

Close and Collect Your Proceeds

At closing, you'll sign the deed and transfer documents, pay off your remaining mortgage and any liens, and receive your net proceeds. Florida seller closing costs typically run 6-8% of the sale price (real estate commission, title insurance, documentary stamps, etc.).

Tip: Documentary stamp tax in Florida: $0.70 per $100 of the sale price (or $0.60 per $100 in Miami-Dade).