10 Things Every Seller Needs to Know BEFORE selling. Do NOT sell until you watch this! In this video, I’m breaking down the 10 things every seller needs to know before listing — the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. From pricing strategies that attract serious buyers to the subtle details that make your home stand out, these are the proven steps that separate homes that sell fast and for top dollar from those that sit on the market. These insights come straight from years of hands-on experience helping hundreds of Wyoming homeowners sell confidently and successfully — not from a blog, not from theory.
10 Things Every Seller Needs to Know Before Listing Their Home
If you’re selling your home this next year, you could be leaving serious money on the table — and you don’t even know it. These 10 things every seller needs to know, can literally make or break your sale.
We’re going over actionable steps that separate the homes that sell quickly and for top dollar, from the ones that sit on the market for months with no offers.
And here’s the thing — this isn’t theory. It’s not what you’ll read on a national blog or hear from a “guru” who doesn’t even sell houses. This is straight from my experience — and what I’ve learned helping hundreds of sellers across Wyoming get results.
If you’re new here I am Alisha Collins with the Alisha Collins Real Estate Team and we love being your go-to resource for all things real estate and of course all things Wyoming.
Alright, Let’s get right into it.
1. Price It Right From Day One
This is the number one reason homes don’t sell. I know — you’ve heard that before. But here’s why it really matters.
When your home first hits the market, you have the highest chance of attracting serious buyers. That’s your golden window — usually the first 14 to 21 days. Buyers are watching for new listings. If you come out overpriced, you lose that energy instantly.
Here’s what usually happens: you list high “just to see what happens,” the showings are slow, and then two weeks later you start dropping the price. Buyers see the price change and think, “What’s wrong with it?” You end up chasing the market down — and that’s exactly how sellers lose money.
The truth is, your home is worth what a ready, willing, and able buyer is willing to pay TODAY. The market sets the price — not Zillow, not your neighbor’s opinion, and not what you “need” out of it. BUT you do control how it competes. When your home is priced correctly and shows beautifully, it will sell — even in a slower market.
2. Condition Is Everything
This is where sellers either win big or lose buyers instantly.
If buyers walk in and see unfinished projects, scuffed walls, broken blinds, or clutter, they’re not just seeing surface issues. They’re thinking, “If this is what I can see, what else has been neglected?”
That’s why the visible things matter so much. Fix that leaky faucet. Replace the cracked tile. Touch up paint. Make sure every lightbulb works, and in my opinion they should be bright white lights not that auburn or yellow tone.
I always tell my sellers: you don’t need to remodel your whole house, but you do need to make it feel cared for. Clean sells. Well-maintained sells. Deferred maintenance? That’s what kills momentum.
And if something big comes up — like a roof or sewer issue — address it now. Because here’s the reality: if you don’t fix it, you’ll have to disclose it anyway. Every future buyer will ask about it, and you’ll just drag the same issue through every negotiation until someone deals with it. Handle it once, handle it right.
3. Declutter, Then Declutter Again
I know it’s not fun, but this one is absolutely non-negotiable.
Clutter makes your home feel smaller. It distracts buyers. And here’s the truth — clutter is louder than granite countertops. It’s louder than new flooring. Buyers can’t see your home’s features if their eyes are bouncing between family photos, collections, and piles of stuff.
Before photos or showings, go through every room and cut what’s visible in half. Clear counters, simplify shelves, and store what you don’t need daily. I’ve had buyers scroll on their phone and swipe past amazing homes online just because the photos looked dark and cluttered.
And the best part? When you declutter before you list, you’re also packing early. I promise, you’ll thank yourself later when it’s time to move.
4. Staging Isn’t Optional — It’s Strategic
This is where I see a lot of confusion, so let’s clear some things up.
In my MLS, we can’t use virtual staging, and honestly, I don’t like it anyway. It’s misleading, and buyers feel disappointed when the house doesn’t look like the photos.
Instead, we do light, real-life staging — focusing on the main areas buyers notice first: living room, dining room, kitchen, and bathrooms. My team owns enough furniture and décor to stage at least 10 homes at once, and we never charge extra for it.
If the home is occupied, our professional stager walks through to make sure the furniture layout feels right and the flow makes sense. Sometimes that means removing pieces, sometimes it’s adding small touches like pillows, greenery, or wall art that photographs beautifully.
The goal isn’t perfection — it’s balance. We want your home to feel warm, open, and inviting, not empty or overdecorated.
5. Marketing Has to Be Everywhere
I say this all the time: no one wakes up in the morning and says, “I think I’ll buy a house today.”
Something sparks it — a “For Sale” sign, a Facebook post, a YouTube video, a short-form home tour that pops up while they’re scrolling. That’s why your agent needs to market everywhere.
When I list a home, it doesn’t just go on MLS. We run targeted ads on Facebook and Instagram, YouTube videos, Google campaigns, postcards, and email blasts to our database of buyers. We track where leads come from and make sure every person who might be interested sees your home.
It’s about visibility. The more people who see your property, the better your odds of finding the buyer. And trust me — the buyer who ends up purchasing your home probably didn’t plan to. Something caught their attention and got the ball rolling. That’s exactly what good marketing does.
6. Negotiation Isn’t War — It’s Problem Solving
Too many people think negotiations are about “winning.” They’re not. They’re about finding common ground that gets both sides to closing.
Sometimes that means agreeing to a few small fixes or offering a credit for a repair. Other times, it means tackling a bigger issue — like replacing a roof or updating an aging furnace — because it’s the right move long-term.
Here’s what I tell my sellers: you’ll either fix the issue now, or you’ll deal with it later when you disclose it to the next buyer. So let’s handle it right, keep momentum, and get to the finish line.
And while we’re talking about offers — if you get a low one, do NOT just reject it outright. I’ve said this before and I’ll keep saying it: you can’t negotiate what you don’t have. A low offer still means someone wants your home. Counter it. Even if you don’t have another offer on the table yet, keep the conversation going.
Sometimes that first offer ends up being the one that gets you closest to your goal — and even if it doesn’t, it gives you valuable feedback about what buyers are seeing in your price range.
Flexibility doesn’t mean weakness. It means wisdom. The best deals happen when both sides feel heard and respected.
7. Choose Your Agent Wisely — Then Trust Them
This one might ruffle feathers, but it’s true: not all agents are created equal.
You want someone who tells you the truth, not just what sounds good. The agent who’s willing to say, “Hey, this price is too high,” or “We need to fix this before photos,” is the one who’s actually protecting your money.
And loyalty matters. When you choose a local agent who knows your market — who’s connected, experienced, and invests in real marketing — stick with them. I list homes for 10 months because we spend a lot on advertising and media exposure. Real marketing takes time to reach the right buyers.
Now, if your listing contract ends and the home still hasn’t sold, you’re free to hire someone else. But most of the time, when a home doesn’t sell, it comes down to one of three things: condition, price, or marketing.
When I take over a previously listed home, I can almost always tell which one it was — and we fix it.
8. Clean Like You’re in a Commercial
Buyers notice cleanliness more than upgrades. You can have a brand-new kitchen, but if there’s dust on the ceiling fans and soap scum in the shower, they’ll remember that — not the quartz counters.
Before photos, before showings, deep clean everything. Windows, baseboards, light fixtures, grout — all of it. And if you can, hire a professional cleaning service while your home is listed. It’s worth every penny.
Your home should feel move-in ready. That’s the feeling that sells.
9. Be Realistic About Showings
I know it’s inconvenient. I know it’s a pain to have to clean, leave the house, and wrangle pets every time someone wants to see it. But showings are the heartbeat of your sale. The more buyers that walk through, the better your chances of an offer.
Make your home as easy to show as possible — flexible hours, short notice if you can, and lights on for every appointment.
And yes, I know — sometimes you’ll get a last-minute showing when the sink’s full of dishes and your kids left Legos everywhere. It happens. Just do your best. Buyers don’t expect perfection, but they do expect effort.
10. Selling Is Emotional — But You Can’t Take It Personally
This one might be the hardest. Selling your home isn’t just a business transaction — it’s emotional. You’ve put time, money, and heart into this place.
But once you decide to sell, you have to shift from “homeowner” to “home seller.” When buyers nitpick things you love, or lowball you, or question your upgrades, don’t take it personally. It’s not about you — it’s about their perspective and their budget.
Your job is to stay focused on the goal: moving forward. A good agent will buffer those emotions and guide you through every bump in the road, but the smoother you keep your mindset, the smoother your sale will go.
So there you have it, the 10 things every seller needs to know — the real version, not the sugar-coated one.
Selling your home doesn’t have to be stressful. If you price it right, present it well, market it everywhere, and work with an agent who’s honest and strategic, you’ll win every time.
If you’re thinking about selling — or just want to know what your home might be worth — I’d love to connect with you. There is link right below this video to directly book a call with me. I’m also hosting a Free Virtual Seller Seminar on: where I walk you through everything from pricing to prep to what really makes buyers say “yes.” You don’t have to live in Wyoming to join — the link to register for that is also in the description box down below..
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