Let's be honest—selling your home can feel overwhelming. You're juggling a million things, from deciding which furniture stays to figuring out if you should repaint that accent wall your spouse insisted on three years ago. But here's the thing: a few strategic moves can make a massive difference in your final sale price. We're talking thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of dollars more in your pocket.

According to Mike Oddo, CEO of HouseJet, "Sellers who focus on these five critical areas—inspection, staging, photography, pricing, and agent selection—consistently see higher offers and faster sales. These aren't just nice-to-haves; they're the foundation of a successful home sale that maximizes your return."

So let's dive into the five things you absolutely need to do if you want to squeeze every last dollar out of your home sale.

1. Get a Pre-Sale Home Inspection

This one might seem counterintuitive. Why would you pay someone to find problems with your house? Because buyers are going to find them anyway, and it's way better when you're in control of the narrative.

A pre-sale inspection lets you discover issues before potential buyers do. That leaky faucet you've been ignoring? The buyers' inspector will note it. The ancient water heater that could quit any day? Red flag. When you know about problems upfront, you can either fix them or price accordingly. More importantly, you won't be blindsided during negotiations when a buyer demands a $5,000 credit for something that would have cost you $500 to repair.

Plus, having an inspection report in hand shows buyers you're serious and transparent. That builds trust, and trust leads to better offers. Nobody wants to buy a home from someone who seems like they're hiding something.

2. Stage Your Home Like You Mean It

Here's a reality check: your home might be perfect for you, but buyers need to envision it as perfect for them. That's where staging comes in.

Professional staging isn't about making your home look like a furniture showroom. It's about highlighting your home's best features and helping buyers imagine their lives unfolding in each room. That awkward corner in the living room? A staged reading nook. The dining room you use as an office? Back to being a place where families gather.

The numbers don't lie—staged homes typically sell for 5-15% more than non-staged homes. They also spend less time on the market, which means less hassle for you. You don't need to stage every room (unless you want to), but focus on key areas: living room, master bedroom, kitchen, and any space that's hard to define or feels cramped.

And no, staging doesn't have to mean renting fancy furniture. Sometimes it's as simple as decluttering, rearranging what you have, and adding a few strategic touches. Though if your furniture has seen better days, investing in a few rental pieces for the main living areas can pay for itself many times over.

3. Invest in Professional Photography

In today's market, the first showing isn't at your front door—it's online. More than 90% of buyers start their home search on the internet, which means your listing photos are make-or-break.

Smartphone photos taken in dim lighting with weird angles? That's a hard pass from buyers scrolling through hundreds of listings. Professional real estate photography, on the other hand, makes your home look bright, spacious, and inviting. Professional photographers know how to use lighting, angles, and composition to showcase your home's strengths.

Great photos get more clicks, more showings, and ultimately more offers. They also set buyer expectations high, which means people walk through your door already excited about what they've seen online. That emotional connection is worth its weight in gold when offers start rolling in.

Many top agents include professional photography as part of their service, so don't be shy about asking. If they don't, it's worth paying for it yourself. We're talking a few hundred dollars that could translate into thousands more at closing.

4. Price It Right From the Start

Pricing strategy might be the most critical factor in getting top dollar, and it's where a lot of sellers shoot themselves in the foot. The temptation is to price high and "leave room for negotiation," but here's what actually happens: you scare away qualified buyers, your listing goes stale, and eventually you're forced to drop the price—after you've already lost momentum.

The sweet spot is pricing your home competitively based on current market data and comparable sales. A well-priced home often generates multiple offers, which can drive the price up naturally. Buyers fear missing out on a great property, and that competition works in your favor.

This doesn't mean underpricing your home. It means working with market realities instead of wishful thinking. Look at comparable homes in your area that have sold recently—not just what's currently listed, because asking prices don't mean much. Sold prices tell the real story.

5. Hire the Right Real Estate Agent

Not all agents are created equal, and this decision might be the most important one you make in the entire process. The right agent brings market expertise, negotiation skills, and a marketing plan that gets your home in front of serious buyers.

Look for an agent with a proven track record in your neighborhood. They should know the area inside and out, understand local market trends, and have a network of potential buyers and other agents. Ask about their marketing strategy—do they just throw your listing on the MLS and hope for the best, or do they have a comprehensive plan that includes professional photography, virtual tours, open houses, and targeted advertising?

The best agents are worth their commission and then some. They'll guide you through repairs and staging, help you price strategically, negotiate on your behalf, and handle the mountain of paperwork that comes with a home sale. They'll also keep you sane during a process that can be emotionally exhausting.

Don't just hire your neighbor's cousin who got their real estate license last month. Interview multiple agents, ask for references, and trust your gut. You want someone who's both skilled and someone you can work with through what might be a stressful few months.

Final Thoughts

From HouseJet’s perspective, selling your home doesn't have to be a shot in the dark. These five steps—getting inspected, staging strategically, investing in photography, pricing smart, and choosing the right agent—create a powerful combination that helps you get top dollar. They require some upfront investment of time and money, but the payoff at closing makes it all worthwhile. Your home is likely your biggest asset, so treat its sale like the major financial transaction it is.