Selling a home is a process.
At John L. Scott, we understand the importance of selling your home for the right price, and that timing is everything.
Selling a Home: Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing, pricing, and the costs and tax questions sellers ask before they list.
Real estate commissions are fully negotiable and are not set by law. Since the 2024 industry changes, listing-side and buyer-side compensation are negotiated separately rather than bundled into one figure. Your listing agreement spells out your agent's fee, and you decide separately whether to offer compensation to a buyer's agent as part of your strategy. A John L. Scott broker discusses all fees openly and builds a service package around your goals and net proceeds.
Start with decluttering and deep cleaning, then address minor repairs and touch-ups that shape first impressions — fresh paint, working fixtures, tidy landscaping. Your John L. Scott broker provides a pre-listing walkthrough and prioritizes the improvements most likely to boost your sale price, along with professional photography and staging guidance to help your home show its best.
It depends on your timeline, budget, and market. Minor, high-impact repairs often return more than they cost, while major renovations may not pay off before a sale. Selling as-is is a valid choice — especially for investor or quick-sale situations — but it can affect price and the pool of interested buyers. A John L. Scott broker helps you weigh the return on each option and price accordingly.
Staging is not required, but it often helps homes sell faster and for more by helping buyers picture themselves in the space. Options range from light styling of your existing furniture to full professional staging. Your John L. Scott broker recommends the right level for your home and price point and coordinates a staging consultation.
Seller closing costs vary by state and sale price but commonly include your agent's commission, title and escrow fees, any state or local transfer or excise tax (for example, Washington's real estate excise tax), prorated property taxes, and any concessions negotiated with the buyer. Your John L. Scott broker prepares a seller net sheet up front so you can estimate your proceeds before you list.
Many sellers owe no federal capital gains tax on a primary residence. Under the IRS Section 121 exclusion, if you owned and lived in the home for at least two of the last five years, you can generally exclude up to $250,000 of gain if single or $500,000 if married filing jointly. Gains above those limits, investment properties, and second homes may be taxable. This is general information, not tax advice — consult a licensed tax professional about your situation.
A comparative market analysis is a broker's data-driven estimate of your home's current market value, based on recent sales of comparable homes nearby and current market conditions, including active, pending, and sold comparable listings. It is more accurate than an automated online estimate because it accounts for your home's specific condition, location, and features. Your John L. Scott representative will provide a free CMA to help you set an accurate, competitive listing price.