So, You Want to Sell Your Home?
No two people (or homes!) are alike. That’s why we start by understanding your unique goals, then craft a plan built around you.
While we help people sell homes of every age, we have a soft spot for pre-1980s homes with character and stories to tell. We won’t push unnecessary renovations or projects that won’t deliver real value (aka no suggesting complete bathroom renovations to perfectly great vintage bathrooms). Instead, we bring a realist’s perspective, helping you showcase your home’s charm while making smart, intentional improvements that keep your main goal(s) in mind.
We’ll be your ally throughout, connecting you with our trusted network of local handypeople, stagers, photographers, and contractors – people we stand behind and have experience working with previously.
When your home hits the market, we’ll make sure it’s presented beautifully, with marketing and photography that capture its true character. And once you’ve accepted an offer, we’ll advocate for you until the keys change hands.
Keep reading to understand our initial listing process and to see a few case studies of homes we helped sell in 2026.
We start with a high-level conversation to get the big picture: your ideal timeline, your goals for this transition, and where you’re headed next. No pressure, no pitch, just a conversation, typically over coffee or on Zoom.
1.
Next, we’ll meet at your home for an in-depth walkthrough. We’ll take notes, ask questions, and gather everything we need to understand your home and what makes it special.
2.
After our walkthrough, we’ll pull everything together into a tailored plan – a pre-list checklist, staging suggestions, a full Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), and a recommended list price. Everything is specific to your home and your goals.
3.
Once we’re aligned on timeline and pre-list projects, we’ll review and sign the listing agreement and any other paperwork. From there, we’ll set your official listing date and work backward – coordinating photography, city inspections, and project deadlines so everything stays on track.
4.
1.
We start with a high-level conversation to get the big picture: your ideal timeline, your goals for this transition, and where you’re headed next. No pressure, no pitch – just a real conversation.
2.
Next, we’ll meet at your home for an in-depth walkthrough. We’ll take notes, ask questions, and gather everything we need to truly understand your home and what makes it special.
3.
After our walkthrough, we’ll pull everything together into a tailored plan – a pre-list checklist, staging suggestions, a full Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), and a recommended list price. Everything is specific to your home and your goals.
4.
Once we’re aligned on timeline and pre-list projects, we’ll review and sign the listing agreement and any other paperwork. From there, we’ll set your official listing date and work backward – coordinating photography, city inspections, and project deadlines so everything stays on track.
Case Study
1558 Simpson St, Saint Paul, MN
Sold for $627,000 within 48 hours
Listed at $540,000
A lovingly cared for Tudor with strong original details: arched doorways, a stone-surround fireplace, original woodwork and hardwood flooring, vintage bathroom tile, and a vaulted primary suite with built-ins and exposed beams.
The Challenge: Our clients bought this house in 2021 for $562k, $163k over list, in an intensely competitive market. Fast forward a few years (now 2026) and they were moving across the country. They needed to sell from a distance, and they wanted to market the home strategically to get all they could out of the sale.
What We Did: We priced the home strategically, at $540k, which was below what they paid in 2021. Pricing it right brought in more buyers, and more buyers meant more competition. We staged the home so its character came through in photos and in person, made video content to show it off, and got it in front of our network of agents who specialize in old homes. We also had our clients do a sewer scope before listing, so buyers had one less unknown and felt confident writing strong offers.
The Result: 8 offers, several with no inspection contingency. The home sold for 16% over list, the second highest price-per-square-foot sale in West Como’s modern history.
Case Study
491 Cretin Ave S, Saint Paul, MN
Sold for $510,000 within 24 hours
Listed at $489,999
A stately 1915 home in Highland Park withincredible original details – coffered ceiling, built-ins galore, leaded glass windows, brick fireplace, and completely updated kitchen and bathroom.
The Challenge: This home sits on the busy corner of Cretin Ave and Randolph Ave in Saint Paul. Some buyers will pass on a busy street without stepping inside the home, so the price had to be just right. Our sellers’ goal was $500k.
What We Did: We listed just under $490k, so the home showed up in more buyers’ searches and felt like a good value. That gave people a reason to come see it in person, where the house could speak for itself. Professional photography and video content put its original features front and center.
The Result: An offer within 24 hours of hitting the market. The home closed at $510,000 which was $10,000 above our sellers’ goal.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to list a home?
The best time to list your home is whenever you are ready. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true!
The market ebbs and flows with the changing of the seasons here in the Midwest.
Some Sellers may lean more towards listing their home in the spring or summer because there are usually more buyers out shopping, and you can potentially end up getting more money for your home. But, don’t let that deter you from listing in the fall or winter either! Every season has its own benefits.
The timing needs to feel right for you and your situation.
How long will it take to sell my home?
This will vary depending on a multitude of factors, but no matter what home you have, working with a thorough, detail-oriented listing agent goes a long way.
Housing inventory in recent years has been extremely low and can’t keep up with demand, which means that homes are selling quite quickly. Check out live data for the average days on market for single-family homes in the Twin Cities region here.
A strong strategy and professional marketing will help your house stand out amongst all the other fish in the sea and will play a huge factor in helping get it sold promptly.
How do I prepare my home for the market?
A good general first step is cleaning, decluttering, and moving out odds and ends.
After we have our in-depth listing meeting you will have a tangible list of tasks to complete before we hit the market. Depending on your home’s condition it may just be cleaning and decluttering, other times it can be painting and refinishing floors.
To note: not every home improvement project will add value back to your home. Always chat with your Realtor before tackling a big project!
What are other additional expenses to consider?
You can anticipate tackling some maintenance items, small projects to prepare your home for the market, or hiring a stager (if applicable).
The largest investment will typically be the listing fee from your Realtor. In most transactions, the Seller pays the full commission out to both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. You’ll also have some miscellaneous closing and recording fees due at closing.