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Tips to Sell Your Home Faster and For More Money

Selling your home isn’t just about putting up a “For Sale” sign and hoping for the best—it’s about making a powerful first impression that turns browsers into buyers. In today’s digital-first market, the way your home is presented online can make or break your sale.

From professional photography and video to strategic staging and aerial shots, this guide reveals the proven techniques that help homes sell faster and for more money.

These expert-backed tips will help you attract more buyers, sell faster, and boost your final sale price.

Professional Photos are a Must

Professional real estate photography is one of the most powerful tools for selling a home quickly and at a higher price. Scheduling your shoot in the early morning ensures optimal lighting, which can dramatically enhance the appeal of your listing. According to the National Association of Realtors, homes with professional photos sell 32% faster than those with amateur images. Ruby Home Luxury Real Estate also reports that listings with high-quality images can close for anywhere between $934 and $116,076 more than those with low-quality visuals.

In today’s digital-first market, every homebuyer uses the internet to shop for properties, making photography absolutely critical. Buyers spend more time looking at photos than reading the listing description, so compelling visuals are key to capturing interest. Fortunately, professional real estate photography is both affordable and well worth the investment, especially when you consider the potential return.

Keep reading to learn a trick to taking the best exterior home image that increases views by 66%.

Include Professional Video in the Listing

Including professional video in your home listing is one of the most effective ways to capture buyer attention. Since nearly all homebuyers begin their search online, the more visual assets you provide, the more engaged they’ll be with your listing. A well-produced video can showcase your home’s layout, flow, and unique features in a way that static images simply can’t.

It’s a smart investment—listings with video receive a staggering 403% more views than those without, according to Ruby Home Luxury Real Estate. That kind of exposure can dramatically increase interest and help your home sell faster. While professional video does come at a cost, the return in visibility and buyer engagement makes it well worth it.

Take an Aerial Photo of the Home

Adding an aerial photo to your home listing can dramatically boost its appeal and visibility. These overhead shots provide a unique perspective that highlights the property’s layout, lot size, landscaping, and surrounding neighborhood—details that standard ground-level photos often miss.

According to Ruby Home Luxury Real Estate, listings that feature aerial photography sell 68% faster than those without it. Whether captured by drone or professional equipment, aerial images help potential buyers visualize the full scope of the property, making your listing stand out in a crowded market. It's a small investment that can lead to a quicker sale and greater buyer interest.

A Twilight Image of the Home Increases Views by 66%

Including a twilight image of your home in the listing can significantly boost its appeal and visibility. According to the Real Estate Photography Blog, showcasing the exterior of a home during twilight—just after sunset but before full darkness—can make the property appear more aesthetically pleasing thanks to ambient lighting.

This strategy not only enhances the visual impact but also increases the likelihood of a higher sale price. In fact, listings that feature twilight images receive an average of 66% more views, which is nearly three times the engagement compared to listings without them.

Interestingly, the same blog notes that virtual twilight images generated using AI tend to outperform natural twilight photos. These digitally enhanced images often feature richer colors and dramatic lighting effects that capture attention. However, there is a caveat: savvy homebuyers may perceive these AI-generated visuals as inauthentic, which could raise concerns. Still, when used thoughtfully, twilight photography—whether natural or virtual—can be a powerful tool in helping homeowners market and sell their property for more.

Stage the Home to Make Help it Sell Faster - and For More Money

Staging your home is one of the most powerful tools in your selling strategy. A well-staged home creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that enhances your listing photos and helps buyers emotionally connect with the space.

Whether you opt for traditional staging or virtual staging, the impact is significant. Virtual staging, in particular, can be a cost-effective alternative that still delivers results—homes that have been virtually staged are 40% more likely to be viewed, according to House Grail.

The benefits of staging go far beyond aesthetics. According to the National Association of Realtors, 86% of buyers say staging helps them better visualize the property as their future home. This emotional connection can translate into real financial gains: staged homes sell for up to 25% more than vacant homes and move off the market 6–10% faster. That’s a major return on a relatively small investment.

When staging, focus on the rooms that matter most. The living room is the top priority, as it’s often the first space buyers see and imagine themselves in. The master bedroom comes next, offering a glimpse into the comfort and lifestyle the home can provide. By thoughtfully staging these key areas, you’re not just decorating—you’re selling a vision of home.

List the Home at the Right Time So It Doesn’t Linger on the Market

Timing is everything when it comes to selling a home. Listing your property at the wrong time can result in it sitting on the market longer than necessary, which may lead to price reductions and decreased buyer interest. To avoid this, aim to list your home during the peak selling season—springtime.

According to industry experts, May is the best month of the year to put your home on the market, offering the highest chance of a quick and profitable sale.

The broader window for optimal selling runs from April through October, with May and June standing out as the most profitable months for sellers. Homes listed during this period tend to attract more buyers and command higher prices.

On the flip side, the worst time to sell is between November and March, when buyer activity slows. While December and January may offer less competition due to fewer homes on the market, they are also the least profitable months for sellers. By aligning your listing with seasonal trends, you can maximize both speed and return on your home sale.

Depersonalize the Home

One of the most important steps in preparing your home for sale is depersonalization. Potential buyers need to be able to imagine themselves living in the space, and that’s difficult to do when personal photos, bold artwork, or unique décor dominate the rooms. Removing family photos, personal collections, and other individualized items helps create a neutral canvas that appeals to a wider audience.

If your home features bold colors or accent walls, consider repainting with neutral tones like soft grays, warm whites, or beige. These colors not only photograph well but also make spaces feel larger and more inviting. A depersonalized home allows buyers to focus on the property’s features rather than the current owner’s style, increasing the chances of a faster and more profitable sale.

Be Ready to Show the House Whenever Requested

Flexibility is key when selling your home. Excited buyers who see your listing online may want to schedule a showing immediately, and being ready to accommodate those requests can make all the difference. Don’t miss an opportunity to showcase your home—every showing is a potential sale.

To stay prepared, keep the house clean, tidy, and clutter-free at all times. This ensures it’s always presentable, even on short notice. Being flexible with appointments not only makes it easier for buyers to view the property but also signals that you're serious about selling, which can help build trust and urgency.

Find a Listing Agent Who Shares Your Philosophies

Finding a listing agent is not about selecting the person with the most sales or experience. It’s about finding someone that understands your needs and goals. While salesmanship and expertise are important, you’re better off with an agent that is on the same page.

Take the time to interview at least three people. Ask questions about how they set the price of a home and commission costs. The best listing agent should share your house selling philosophies. More importantly, they'll guide you through the home selling process from start to finish.

When choosing a listing agent, prioritize someone who’s digitally savvy and marketing-minded. A great agent will use tools like comparative market analysis and local trend data to ensure your home is priced right from the start—avoiding the risk of it lingering on the market, which can lead to price cuts and diminished perceived value.

Look for someone who actively leverages social media and digital advertising to maximize exposure. And don’t settle for subpar visuals - professional photography is a must for showcasing your home in its best light and attracting serious buyers.

Some homeowners may want to forgo hiring a listing agent. That means the house is “for sale by owner.” If you choose this route, you will save five to six percent on the sale price. However, your home listing probably won’t reach the widest possible audience. You will also have to prepare, market, and negotiate the sale of the house yourself.

Set a Strategic Price for Your Home

In a perfect world, you would sell your home for the highest price immediately. Unfortunately, buyers and the market have other plans. As a result, you are trading off either time or money when pricing your home. In other words, you can try to sell your house fast or for the highest price.

An appraiser or a comparative market analysis can provide a home listing price. You can also get a free and quick estimate from a home value estimator.

Once you have an asking price, it’s time to create a pricing strategy. For instance, if the house does not sell in ___ days, we will drop the price ___. The answers here will depend on your local real estate market. A pricing strategy will also provide you something to fall back on when considering offers.

Make Impactful Renovations

You’re going to sell your home. It’s just a matter out when you put it on the market. In the meantime, you should prepare your house for sale. One of the best uses of your time is home renovations.

Home renovations should be strategic. You want to add value to the house, like safety, energy efficiency, or durability. You can also use a home equity loan to fund the projects and can deduct the interest later on your taxes. Some of the best home renovations in terms of cost recouped include:

• Garage door replacement: 97.5 percent
• Stone veneer siding: 94.9 percent
• Minor kitchen remodel: 80.5 percent
• Wooden deck addition: 75.6 percent
• Siding replacement: 75.6 percent

You should also consider a pre-sale home inspection. A detailed inspection report will identify any structural or electrical problems in the house. The report may cost a few hundred dollars, but you’ll avoid the hassle of potential buyers finding those problems later.

Make the House Welcoming

Zig Ziglar once said that selling is essentially a transfer of feelings. As you come up with selling points, remember that they should make people feel at home. Whether you promote the location, the backyard, or the size, focus on creating a meaningful connection.

A clean and clutter-free home is essential to a welcoming environment, whether you are marketing or staging a home. You can also draw back the blinds to bring in natural light, which is associated with happiness and health. As a bonus, freshen up the house with the inviting scent of vanilla, green tea, or citrus fruits before tours.

Boost Curb Appeal and Keep the Lights on at Night

Boosting curb appeal is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your home’s value and attract serious buyers. It’s the first impression potential buyers get - whether they’re driving by or browsing online - and it sets the tone for how they perceive the rest of the property. According to the National Association of Realtors, 79% of agents believe curb appeal is essential for attracting buyers, and 94% recommend improvements before listing a home. 

Simple upgrades like fresh landscaping, a clean walkway, or a newly painted front door can make your home feel more inviting and well-maintained, which can translate into higher offers. Financially, the return on investment for curb appeal improvements is impressive. Sellers often see around a 7% increase in home value after making updates, and many landscaping and exterior projects yield close to a 100% ROI. For example, investing approximately $3,500 in curb appeal can result in a $12,000 boost in home value—a 238% return.

Even basic yard care and fresh mulch can add $4,500, while a fresh coat of paint may increase resale value by over $7,500. These numbers show that curb appeal isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a strategic move to maximize your home’s market potential.

Beyond the numbers, curb appeal also influences buyer psychology. A tidy, well-kept exterior signals that the home has been cared for, which builds trust and reduces perceived risk. Buyers are more likely to schedule a showing and make a competitive offer when the outside of the home reflects pride of ownership. Whether you’re selling a starter home or a luxury property, investing in curb appeal is a smart, accessible way to make your listing stand out and sell for more.

Get Ready to Sell

Selling your home is both an art and a strategy, and with the right tools and techniques, you can dramatically increase your chances of a faster sale and a higher offer. From professional photography and video to staging and flexibility with showings, each step plays a vital role in making your listing stand out. By investing a little time and effort upfront, you’ll not only attract more buyers—you’ll also create a lasting impression that turns interest into action.