Selling your home can be tricky, regardless of whether you’ve done it before. From preparing your home to negotiating with buyers and finding the right real estate agent, there’s a lot to think about when selling. That’s why we’ve prepared this list of home-selling tips when listing your home for sale in St. Helena. But first, here’s what you need to know about the local real estate market.

St. Helena is a beautiful and affluent city, bordered by areas like Calistoga, Deer Park, and other towns. With the nickname “Napa Valley’s Main Street,” residents in St. Helena can enjoy several nearby wineries and restaurants while living in prime wine country. Homes sell fast in St. Helena and fetch high list prices, making it an ideal location for sellers to list.

The first thing to consider about selling your property is timing, both in terms of the local real estate market and personal factors. Currently, St. Helena is a seller’s market, meaning there is more demand for properties in the area than inventory available. These market conditions are reflected in increasing median list prices and decreasing days on the market. For those interested in selling, market conditions make it an excellent time to sell now.

Sellers should also consider other factors, like if they’re personally ready to make a move. Be sure that you’re able to let go of your attachment to your property and the surrounding area. Additionally, consider costs like selling and moving, obligations related to your current or future job, a child’s school schedule, and other responsibilities to friends or family members.

When you’re sure about selling, do your research to find a local and expert real estate agent like Sierra Pujals. A trustworthy agent will know what buyers are searching for in the area and can help you prepare your home to increase buyer interest. They’ll also have access to tools like the MLS to complete comparative market analyses and help you competitively price your property. The best agents know how to adjust listing prices to accurately represent your home’s location, size, and condition.

Additionally, an agent will have a network of connections full of professional service providers you’ll need in the home selling process, such as a home inspector, professional photographer, home contractor, and more. They’ll market online and schedule in-person showings to increase your listing's visibility. When you receive offers, they’ll help you negotiate with buyers, explain legal paperwork, and lead you through closing steps.

 

To make your home appealing to as many buyers as possible, begin preparing your home by completing any repairs. It may be helpful to get a pre-sale home inspection to uncover any significant or potentially serious problems that would affect your property’s value or sale. Also, complete small repair steps like replacing broken bulbs, filling holes in walls, and fixing sticky drawers. At this time, you may want to consider completing upgrades as well. Be sure to select projects that buyers in the area are interested in and those with a high return on investment.

When repairs are complete, hire professional cleaners to deep clean your home, or clean yourself by mopping floors, vacuuming carpets, and dusting off all areas. Declutter by donating or renting storage units to keep your belongings out of the house, then stage rooms like the main bedroom, living room, and kitchen. Take down family and friend photos and unique décor, and keep decorations light and neutral. Don’t forget curb appeal, as the exterior is the first part of the home a buyer sees. Show off St. Helena’s beautiful nature by trimming trees, mowing lawns, and maintaining landscaping.

 

As you prepare your home to list, work with your agent to market it on and offline. For the greatest visibility from buyers and buyers’ agents, create a listing with professional photos and a detailed description. In the description, highlight features of the property itself, as well as the surrounding location. For St. Helena real estate, you may add nearby perks like its countless wineries, outdoor spots like Lake Berryessa or Bothe Napa Valley State Park, high-end dining spots, and luxury shopping.

When showing your home, communicate with your agent to align schedules to accommodate as many buyers as possible. Try to be flexible in the showing process, as home showings can occur with very little notice. Always keep your property presentable and prepare a pre-showing checklist to keep areas clean for people touring the property.

St. Helena homes on the market currently don’t stay listed for long, so be prepared to negotiate with buyers sooner rather than later. As a seller, you can accept a buyer’s offer, make a counteroffer, or reject the offer. Aspects of an offer to consider and negotiate include how a buyer is financing the offer, the contingencies included, the percentage of the down payment, and the closing date, among other things.

When you’ve agreed with a buyer, get a home inspection. If you’ve already completed a pre-sale inspection, this shouldn’t reveal anything new. If you haven’t, be prepared for more negotiations if problems arise. Then, complete steps like a home appraisal and a final walkthrough, and gather the paperwork you’ll need to close. Your agent can help you understand the dense language used in contracts before you sign papers that make the sale official.

Selling your home can be a confusing and stressful process, but with these home-selling tips and the help of an expert agent, it doesn’t have to be. When you’re ready to list your St. Helena home, contact local agent Sierra Pujals to guide you through the process.