- SELLING RESOURCES -
This section walks through the things to know when listing your home.
JUMP TO
YELLOW SAYS...
HERE'S THE FULL SALE PROCESS ON YELLOW
Use this Resources section or contact us for any help along the way!
We strongly recommend sellers get an inspection before listing.
Providing an inspection report to prospective buyers is essential for transparency and smoother transactions. This is very helpful to selling your home.
Transparency is critical, especially when selling without an agent. A pre-sale inspection lets you understand the condition of your home, reducing the chances of deal-breaking surprises.
No one wants to reveal any problems with their home, but problems will be uncovered eventually. Buyers usually have an inspection completed during the closing period. This will reveal any flaws and lead to renegotiations, slowing and possibly cancelling the sale.
The pre-sale inspection will reveal the issues and allow you to fix them before listing the home.
Alternatively, you can not make any repairs, but adjust your sale price to reflect the issue.
Buyers appreciate the transparency and it makes the sale go smoother when there are no surprises.
YELLOW SAYS...
PLEASE GET A PRE-LISTING INSPECTION!
YOU'LL SAVE MONEY & CLOSE ON TIME
This is more important than you realize!
If you skip a pre-listing inspection, the buyer almost always orders one during closing. When problems surface, the buyer may cancel the sale, demand repairs, or push for a price cut. Any repairs will take time to complete and delay your closing.
Changing the closing date can create major headaches, like:
GET AN INSPECTION NOW
By inspecting early, you can fix issues early and show buyers the work was done. That builds trust, keeps your closing date on track, and helps you save thousands in avoidable fees.
ZILLOW'S PRE-SALE INSPECTION BENEFITS
FIND AN INSPECTOR
The following links will show inspectors in your current location of :
YELLOW SAYS...
FINDING AN INSPECTOR
SIMPLE PHONE SCRIPT:
YOU: Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I live in [City]. I’m looking to have a home inspection done as soon as possible. Could you please provide me with a price quote and let me know the earliest date you’re available?
INSPECTOR: Response
YOU: Great, thank you. Could you also let me know what the inspection will cover and approximately how long it will take?
INSPECTOR: Response
YOU: That sounds good. I’d like to go ahead and schedule the inspection for the earliest available date. Could you please confirm the date, time, and any preparation I might need to do?
INSPECTOR: Response
Here is an example home inspection report:
All inspections reveal issues, so don't be disappointed. The inspector can be helpful in suggesting what should be fixed and what doesn't need to.
There are two options in dealing with problems - Lower your price or fix the problem.
If the problem is fixed, consider getting a second, clean inspection so this report is the one seen by buyers. Otherwise, you can update your listing description to indicate the repairs that have been made.
Pricing your home correctly is crucial to selling it quickly. Homes priced right from the start tend to sell faster, while those that stay on the market longer often sell for less.
YELLOW SAYS...
UNDERSTAND THE MARKET
Just like the stock market, the real estate market fluctuates. Even if your home has significant upgrades, if the overall market is down, buyers may be unwilling to pay what you think it’s worth.
Yellow offers a free price estimate service, which involves comparing your home to similar properties recently sold in your area. While this estimate isn’t as precise as a professional appraisal, it provides a useful ballpark figure.
We chart your property's size versus its price to graphically show how your home fits in your nearby market. It's a valuable tool to helping understand your sale price.
Sign up for your free price estimate here:
For a more accurate sale price, you can hire a certified appraiser who will evaluate your home and recent sales of similar properties.
A professional appraiser will examine your home’s characteristics and analyze the nearby market. They then create a report showing the fair market value of your home.
Here's an actual home appraisal as an example:
An appraisal can cost upwards of $400+. Companies can be found through a simple internet search - we are not providing any links to prevent any conflicts of interest.
PREPARATION FOR APPRAISAL
Keep your home in good condition before the appraisal. It doesn't need that “staged” look, but it should show well. The appraiser WILL take pictures of your home and its rooms, and these pictures will appear in their report.
Additionally, provide the appraiser with a list of all major improvements to the home, plus any permits for projects you completed.
Several online tools provide home value estimates. These include Zillow’s Zestimate, the Redfin Estimate, and others. While their accuracy can vary, they offer a reference point.
Sellers see these online estimates, too, which is why they should be considered. A large deviation from the estimate deserves justification.
YELLOW SAYS...
USE PSYCHOLOGY WHEN PRICING
For large, round increments of $50,000 and $100,000, we recommend pricing at the round number. For example, a price near $300,000 should be $300,000. This is due to the price selector ranges on listing websites.
For smaller increments of $5,000 or $10,000, we recommend pricing slightly below the round number. For example, a sale price of $265,000 should instead be $264,900.
ZILLOW
Zillow is widely known for its Zestimate, though its accuracy can be debated (like this article showing that the “Zestimate” was extremely far from the actual sale price of the Zillow CEO’s home).
According to the Wall Street Journal, Zillow came within 5% of the market price in about a third of cases, was off by 25% or more in 11% of cases, and was off by 50% or more in 3.4% of cases - although this study was done in 2007. LINK
That said, you should be aware of the "Zestimate" because buyers will be. Keep this price in mind when you are listing your home.
REDFIN
According to an independent study of on-market homes, the "Redfin Estimate is the most accurate among leading automated home-value tools". Redfin claims their estimates are the most accurate among major home-value tools, often coming within 3% of the selling price.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATE SITES
YELLOW SAYS...
OUR EXPERIENCE WITH ONLINE ESTIMATES
Russell here. In early 2019 I had an appraisal done on my home for a refinancing. Below I'll discuss how the online estimates compared to the actual appraisal.
The estimate from Realtor.com was the closest to the number from the appraiser, coming in slightly below the appraisal. Chase was the next closest and a little further below the appraisal.
In third was the Redfin estimate, which was significantly above my appraisal. Eppraisal was even higher, FSBO, higher still, and Zillow was the furthest away and highest over the appraisal.
The estimates above my appraisal may sound like great news – but there is something important to consider. A buyer WILL have an appraisal done on your home during closing - it's required for a mortgage. If the appraisal comes in below the price you agreed on, the bank WILL NOT approve a mortgage to buy your home.
Conclusion: Don't rely too heavily on these estimates.
Reviewing recent sales of similar homes in your area (usually called "comps") is essential. The more similar the comp is to your home, the more accurate the price estimate.
Appraisers focus heavily on comps. The buyer WILL have your home appraised and many deals fall apart because the home was priced too high, so it's important to stay in line with your comps.
FOCUS ON THE 'SOLD' PRICE
When evaluating comps, focus on the final sale prices, not the listing prices. The sale price reflects what buyers are willing to pay.
FINDING COMPS
Use sites like Zillow and Redfin to find recently sold homes similar to yours. Look for properties that match your home in terms of size, location, and amenities.
Zillow Comps
With Zillow, pull up the search map. Click the “Listing Type” button, then check only the ‘Recently Sold’ box. The process with most other websites is similar, too.
Redfin Comps
Redfin has something interesting. On the search page:
- Click on “More Filters.”
- Turn 'For Sale' OFF and 'Sold' ON.
From there you can narrow your search to sales over a certain time period. Plus, you can select property characteristics that closely match your own home.
On the result maps, you’ll want to look at homes that are:
Most of these postings still have pictures of the home. How does it compare to your home? Nicer features and conditions will make their home worth more, and vice-versa. Take that into consideration when pricing your home.
PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT
Buyers will look at the price per square foot of your home.
While not the most accurate metric, price per square foot can provide a rough estimate of your home’s value. Compare your home’s price per square foot to those of similar properties.
SEASONAL MARKET TRENDS
In Florida, the real estate market can be seasonal, with more buyers looking during the winter months when snowbirds come down from the north. Keep this in mind when timing your sale.
HURRICANE IMPACT
Be prepared for potential impacts from hurricanes. Homes with hurricane-resistant features (such as impact windows and reinforced roofs) may command higher prices.
FLOOD ZONES
If your home is in a flood zone, this can affect its value and attractiveness to buyers. Be upfront about any flood insurance requirements and costs.
YELLOW SAYS...
YELLOW'S PRICING STRATEGY
Initial Listing Price: List competitively but ambitiously.
First Reduction: If no significant interest within 3-4 weeks, reduce price by 3-5%.
Pricing your home correctly involves a lot of factors. By doing thorough research and preparation, you can set a competitive price that attracts buyers and leads to a successful sale.
Remember, you only pay a commission if the buyer is using an agent.
While it's easy to buy a home on YELLOW without an agent, many buyers will still use one.
YELLOW SAYS...
UNDERSTAND THE BUYER'S SITUATION
When a buyer agrees to work with an agent, the buyer will sign an agreement that explains how that agent will be paid. In our experience, a fee of 3% of the sale price is still most common.
That means someone has to pay that fee at closing. If the seller does not agree to pay some or all of it, the buyer is responsible for paying their agent out of pocket.
And that is where the problem can come in. Many buyers are already using their available cash for the down payment, closing costs, inspections, moving expenses and everything else that comes with buying a home. They may simply not have thousands of additional dollars available to pay their agent.
So even if a buyer loves your home, finding out that they would also have to pay their agent's fee can make the purchase much harder - or cause them to look at another home where the seller is willing to help with that cost.
YELLOW gives buyers everything they need to search for homes, schedule showings, make offers, and work through the purchase without needing a buyer's agent. But many buyers will still choose to use one. We're trying to change that, but it takes time.
When deciding whether to offer buyer-agent compensation, keep that buyer's situation in mind. Offering a commission may simply make it easier for more buyers to consider and purchase your home.
With YELLOW, you can decide if you'd like to offer a commission to the agent of the buyer.
YELLOW has already competed much of the work the buyer's agent would normally do, so full compensation may not be warranted.
YELLOW SAYS...
WE SUGGEST THESE COMMISSION OPTIONS
DON'T DECLARE A COMMISSION
The most common option. In this scenario, a buyer will enter the commission amount they want in their offer. It makes it easy to see how much it will detract from the money you will make in the sale, and it's easy to accept or reject the offer, or counter with a different amount.
PERCENTAGE OF THE SALE PRICE
List a percentage you will pay, like 1% or 3%.
SET DOLLAR AMOUNT
Put a flat dollar amount, like $5,000.
Remember, you only pay this commission if you sell to a buyer using an agent.
OFFERING A CONCESSION
A seller concession is when you agree to provide a credit to the buyer at closing to help cover some of their costs. This can include things like closing fees, prepaid expenses, or mortgage rate buydowns.
Instead of reducing your asking price, offering a concession can be a smart way to make your home more appealing - especially if the property hasn’t generated much interest or if buyers are struggling with affordability.
Concessions are not paid out of pocket. The amount is simply deducted from your proceeds at closing and applied toward the buyer’s allowed expenses. It’s a flexible way to give buyers financial relief without changing the advertised sale price.
WHEN TO OFFER A CONCESSION?
WHAT COSTS WILL IT COVER?
While the buyer and their lender will decide how the credit is used, concessions can typically be applied toward:
COMMON TYPES
WHAT AMOUNT TO OFFER
As a seller, you usually just offer a flat dollar amount, and the buyer’s lender and title company will handle the details. You don’t need to specify exactly how the funds are used - just be sure the amount is within the limits allowed by the buyer’s loan type.
YELLOW SAYS...
CONSIDER A CONCESSION INSTEAD OF LOWERING PRICE
If you’re not getting the results you expected with your current listing, consider editing your listing to add a concession instead of immediately lowering the price. It’s a flexible option that may help close the gap for the right buyer.
YELLOW provides staging tips for your home, for FREE.
Staging is a crucial step in the home-selling process. It involves making your home look its absolute best to attract potential buyers. Good staging can significantly boost your home's appeal, price, and lead to a quicker sale.
WHY STAGE YOUR HOME?
Staging is more than just cleaning and decluttering; it's about creating an environment where buyers can envision themselves living. By depersonalizing your space, you make it easier for buyers to imagine their own lives in your home. Proper staging also ensures your home looks attractive in listing photos and videos, which is essential for drawing interest online.
YELLOW'S FREE STAGING ASSISTANCE
YELLOW AI
Get a room photo analyzed by our YELLOW AI Staging Suggester and a staged image of the same room will be created for you!
VIDEOCHAT
YELLOW offers complimentary staging advice via video chat. You can schedule a session where we guide you through your home, providing real-time suggestions to enhance its appeal. Connect with us below to schedule your free consultation.
YELLOW SAYS...
MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK LIKE A NICE HOTEL
Aim for a clean, open, and neutral environment. Think of the aesthetic and ambiance of a luxury hotel room - with no sign of you living there.
YELLOW SAYS...
DECLUTTER & DEPERSONALIZE
These two things alone will probably get you 90% of the way there.
Remove excess belongings, family photos, collections and other personal items, then simplify each room so it feels clean, open and neutral. The goal is to help buyers notice the home itself - not everything you own.
BEFORE YOU START
Before taking listing photos or having buyers come through the home, take some time to make the house feel clean, bright, and well cared for.
You do not need to make the home look empty or professionally staged. Buyers understand that people live there. The goal is simply to remove the distractions of everyday life so the home itself stands out.
Declutter first
Go through every room and remove as much unnecessary stuff as possible. Clear counters, tabletops, floors, shelves, and other visible surfaces. Even closets. If you are unsure whether something should stay, it probably shouldn't.
YELLOW SAYS...
GET A PROFESSIONAL DEEP CLEANING
A professional deep cleaning goes beyond everyday cleaning and tackles the areas that are easy to overlook - baseboards, fixtures, cabinets, bathrooms, floors, built-up grime and all the little details buyers tend to notice when they walk through a home.
We recommend having this done before your listing photos and showings. A professionally cleaned home simply looks brighter, feels better maintained and photographs better - and it gives you a clean starting point that is much easier to maintain while your home is on the market.
Professional deep cleaning usually starts around $250, depending on the size and condition of the home. You don't need a special real-estate cleaning service, either. A simple Google search for "home deep cleaning near me" should give you plenty of local options.
Freshen up anything that looks tired
Touch up scuffed walls, chipped trim, stained areas, or other obvious wear. If a room badly needs paint, a fresh neutral coat can make a big difference - but there is usually no need to repaint simply for the sake of repainting.
Consider a paint color similar to these to appeal to the most buyers.
NEUTRAL ≠ BORING
Sometimes all neutral-colored walls can make a home feel boring or stale. This is especially true with older homes, homes with older furniture, or homes without a lot of natural light.
Use accent pieces like colorful pillows, rugs, vases, or plants to add life to neutral rooms without overwhelming them.
PAINTING OVER WALLPAPER
If your home has wallpaper, consider painting over it with an oil-based primer before applying your topcoat. Ensure adequate drying time, especially in Florida's humid climate.
Check every light
Replace burned-out bulbs and mismatched bulbs so fixtures have a consistent color and brightness. This is one of the easiest things sellers overlook, and it can make a surprising difference.
Skip major upgrades
Unless there is a specific reason, you generally do not need to renovate the kitchen, replace flooring, or make expensive improvements before listing. Clean, maintained, and presentable is usually more important than newly remodeled.
Add live plants
Live plants can add a touch of vibrancy and freshness. Avoid fake plants as they can look dated.
Make everyday cleanup easy
If you have children, pets, or a busy household, large plastic storage bins can be extremely useful. Before photos or a showing, quickly collect toys, papers, chargers, bathroom items, and other everyday clutter, then move the bins to the garage, your vehicle, or another out-of-the-way location.
Put extra items in storage or a "PODS" container
If you have extra furniture, boxes, or belongings, consider moving them to a storage unit or portable storage container while your home is on the market. If convenient, a PODS-style container can often be kept right in the driveway. Clearing out those extra items can make rooms, closets and storage areas feel larger, cleaner and less cluttered for photos and showings.
YELLOW SAYS...
RENT A STORAGE UNIT OR POD
Renting a storage unit can help declutter your home and give you a head start on packing. It’s a small investment that can pay off in a higher sale price.
1. Start Outside
The front of the home is usually the first listing photo buyers see and first impressions matter immensely. Remove anything that distracts from the house itself and make the exterior look neat and cared for.
Vehicles: Move cars away from the driveway and front of the home.
Garage: Close the garage door.
Yard: Green, mowed lawns make weeds tougher to see. Turn on the sprinkler for 10-20 minutes a day. Put away trash cans, hoses, toys, tools, and other loose items.
Landscaping: Trim overgrown plants and tidy visible lawn edges.
Flowers: Plant flowers to add color.
Entry: Keep the walkway and front door area clear.
2. Simplify the Living Areas
Photos exaggerate clutter. Everyday items that barely register in person can make a room look busy and smaller in photographs.
Family photos: Temporarily remove them from walls, shelves, and tables.
Surfaces: Put away remotes, papers, coasters, cords, toys, and small everyday objects.
Decor: Keep a few simple pieces rather than filling every shelf or tabletop.
Furniture: If a room feels crowded, consider temporarily removing one unnecessary piece.
3. Clear the Kitchen
Buyers pay close attention to kitchens. Open counter space helps the kitchen look larger and makes cabinets, counters, and finishes easier to see.
Counters: Remove small appliances, dishes, cleaning supplies, paperwork, and everyday clutter.
Refrigerator: Remove magnets, photographs, drawings, calendars, and notes.
Decor: One simple bowl, plant, or decorative item is usually enough.
4. Make Bedrooms Feel Calm
A bedroom should feel restful and spacious rather than personal. Make the bed neatly and remove the small things that reveal everyday routines.
Bed: Use clean bedding and arrange pillows neatly.
Nightstands: Remove chargers, tissues, medicines, bottles, and personal items.
Dressers: Keep the tops mostly clear.
Closet: Remove HALF of the closet contents. Keep items you know you'll wear in the next several weeks.
Personal decor: Temporarily remove family photographs and highly personal items.
5. Make Bathrooms Look Fresh
Bathrooms photograph best when they look clean, bright, and almost hotel-like.
Counters: Remove toothbrushes, hair tools, cosmetics, medicines, and personal products.
Towels: Use clean, simple towels.
Shower and tub: Remove bottles, razors, bath toys, and other products.
Floor: Remove extra bath mats or laundry if they make the room feel crowded.
6. Add Light
Open blinds and curtains before taking photos. Replace burned-out bulbs and turn on lamps and overhead lights. Bright rooms generally photograph better and feel more open.
7. Give Everything a Final Clean
Consider having the home professionally cleaned before taking listing photos. High-resolution photos can reveal details that are easy to overlook, including shower glass, baseboards, floors, mirrors, appliances, carpets, and even light switches.
While DIY staging is effective, professional staging can offer an unbiased perspective and expert touch. Though it can be costly, it often results in faster sales and higher prices, potentially offsetting the initial expense.
Average cost, from Home Advisor:
Consider an initial consultation to get professional advice, even if you plan to do the actual staging yourself.
Be cautious with major renovations before selling. While they can enhance the home's value, they rarely recoup their full cost in the sale price. Focus on small, impactful updates and price the home competitively to attract more buyers.
Sellers are usually better off not making big renovations and instead, pricing the home lower to appeal to more buyers who can customize it to their tastes.
Source: dyernews.com
Pictures are the most important part of your listing. Invest extra time to ensure they are high quality.
PREPARING FOR PHOTOS
Once your home is staged and ready, it’s time to capture its best angles.
YELLOW SAYS...
WE PROFESSIONALLY EDIT EVERY LISTING PHOTO
We run every photo through professional editing software to make it look its best. We adjust things like brightness, color, contrast, shadows and overall balance so the photos look clean, bright and appealing while still accurately representing your home.
What does that mean for you?
Your photos do not have to come out perfect straight from the camera. If a room looks a little dark, the colors are slightly off, or the photo just needs some polishing, we can usually improve it considerably during editing. Your job is simply to take the clearest, best-composed photos you can and we'll help with the finishing touches.
Your listing photos are one of the most important parts of your listing (the other is the price). You need the photos to look good.
OPTION 1: HIRE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
Should you hire a professional photographer?
This is a common question.
A rule of thumb is the more expensive the home, the more likely you should use a professional photographer. View homes similar to yours - do their photos look professionally done? If so, consider hiring a professional photographer.
YELLOW SAYS...
OPTION 2: TAKE YOUR OWN PHOTOS
It's possible to take quality photos of your home, but it takes a little effort. The following sections have tips and ideas on how to take the best pictures on your own.
TAKING YOUR OWN PHOTOS
CAMERA
Use the best camera available.
The highest quality photos come from DSLR or mirrorless cameras.
Point-and-shoot cameras can also produce good images.
RANKING OF CAMERA QUALITY
Mobile devices should be a last resort!
CELL PHONE CAMERA
Modern cell phones can be used - but should be a last resort, although the quality of their images keeps improving.
Cell phone cameras are so popular and it's an uphill battle against them. Therefore, we've included several links to help get the best pictures out of them.
Our biggest tip: Please never zoom in with the cell phone camera!
Other cell phone camera tips:
USE HORIZONTAL PICS
NOT VERTICAL PICS
SHOW CORNER TO THE SIDE
NOT CORNER IN MIDDLE
Photograph the home in a natural order
Try to take photos in the same order someone would walk through the home. Start with the front exterior, then the entry, and move room by room.
Include at least one good photo of each bedroom and bathroom. Finish with the backyard, garage if presentable, and the back of the home.
Photos can be rearranged later, so the order does not have to be perfect, but following a natural flow makes the listing easier to understand.
FRONT → ENTRY → LIVING → KITCHEN → BEDROOMS → BATHROOMS → BACKYARD
Aim toward a corner of the room
Point the camera across the room so the far corner is visible. This adds depth and makes the space feel larger.
Keep the corner slightly off to one side instead of centered. This creates a more natural and balanced photo.
A straight-on photo can work if needed, but corner shots are usually more effective.
Stand near the wall or doorway
Stand as far back as possible when taking photos, ideally near a wall or doorway. This helps capture more of the room in a single shot.
Avoid standing in the middle of the room or zooming in, as this can make the space feel smaller than it actually is.
If possible, take photos from opposite corners to show the full layout of the room.
Hold the phone at mid-body height
Hold your phone around stomach or lightswitch height when taking photos. This creates a more natural perspective and keeps the room proportions looking correct.
Avoid holding the phone too high or too low, as this can make rooms look distorted or uneven.
Keep the phone level and steady to avoid tilted or angled photos.
Use landscape and keep the camera level
Hold your phone sideways (landscape) when taking photos. This fits better with listing layouts and shows more of the room.
Keep the camera level
Keep the phone level so walls, doors, and windows appear straight. A simple way to check is to look for a vertical line in the room - like a wall corner, door frame, or window edge - and make sure it appears straight up and down on your screen.
If those vertical lines lean to one side, adjust the phone until they are straight. This helps the room look natural, balanced, and professionally photographed.
Avoid tilting the phone up or down unless necessary.
Open blinds and curtains
Open blinds and curtains to bring in natural light. Bright rooms look larger, cleaner, and more inviting in photos.
It's not just the natural light, but focus on even lighting throughout the room.
Turn on interior lights as well to help balance the lighting in the room.
Pay attention to sunlight
For exterior photos, try to take pictures with the sun behind you. This keeps the front of the home well lit and avoids harsh shadows.
For interior photos, avoid taking pictures when direct sunlight is shining through the windows. This can create bright glare and dark shadows inside the room.
Aim for soft, even lighting so both the room and the view outside the windows are clearly visible.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
Take your time: A few well-composed photos are better than many rushed ones.
Take multiple angles: Capture each room from at least two corners to show the full layout.
Check each photo: Quickly review your photos before moving on to make sure they are clear and straight.
Keep it simple: Clean, bright, and level photos will always perform better than overly complex shots.
You can reorder later: Do not worry about getting the perfect order while shooting. Photos can be arranged afterward.
These simple steps can make a big difference in how your home looks online.
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS, FROM ZILLOW
ADDITIONAL PHOTO TIPS
TIPS FROM AIRBNB
Airbnb is a vacation home rental site and attractive pictures make the listings more appealing. AirBNB listers share photo tips that make their property look its best.
GOOD PHOTOS MADE AIRBNB SUCCESSFUL
Airbnb is a successful company now, but they had a hard time gaining traction in the early days and were close to shutting their doors. As they were trying to figure out where they went wrong, they noticed something:
“We noticed a pattern. There's some similarity between these [bad] 40 listings. The similarity is that the photos sucked. The photos were not great photos…”
The listing photos were so bad that no one wanted to stay at the Airbnb rentals. So, the Airbnb team went to their listings and took high quality photos - and the bookings jumped immediately. They call this the turning point of the company.
Source: How Design Thinking Transformed Airbnb from a Failing Startup to a Billion Dollar Business
Here are photo tips from Airbnb:
MISTAKES TO AVOID
There are websites devoted to bad real estate pictures. Try not to end up here.
High-quality photos are essential for selling your home. Invest time and effort in capturing the best images to attract potential buyers.
A VIDEO IS NOT REQUIRED
Creating a video walkthrough of your property is an excellent way to give potential buyers a realistic and immersive experience. Videos can capture the flow and feel of a home in a way that photos alone cannot.
YELLOW strongly recommends professionally-made video walkthroughs!
A poorly made, amateur video is difficult for us to fix.
AMATEUR EXAMPLE
Sellers on YELLOW can upload a video walkthrough of their home. The video can be as simple as walking through your home with your cell phone.
YELLOW SAYS...
YELLOW HELPS WITH VIDEO
YELLOW uses professional software to stabilize footage, clear up the picture, and adjust coloring to make your video look its best. We remove all sounds and do not add music, as videos with music often do not autoplay on many web browsers.
VIDEO CAMERA QUALITY
All recording devices can provide nice video - even the phone.
The purpose of the property description is to highlight desirable features that buyers can’t see from the pictures. The most important thing is to be honest and avoid overhyping your home - exaggeration is easy to spot and can turn buyers off.
YELLOW offers two ways to write a description:
USE THE YELLOW AI TO WRITE YOUR DESCRIPTION
When submitting your listing, the page for the description has an AI description generator. Simply enter a few keywords and the AI will generate a description for you. The results are usually quite good!
We suggest using the response as a draft and modifying or expanding it as you see fit. This feature is only available when logged in.
Additionally, sellers can look into using ChatGPT to create the listing description. https://chat.openai.com/
YELLOW SAYS...
USE DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPHS AND BULLET POINTS
When you write your home description, mix a little heart with the facts. Buyers often engage with a short, natural intro that helps them feel what it's like to live there, followed by clear, factual details about updates and features.
EXAMPLE
Bright, open living spaces with a water view and updated systems throughout make this home move-in ready.
Recent updates:
Etc.
WRITE YOUR OWN DESCRIPTION
For sellers who prefer to write their own description, we’ve provided some tips below.
Research: Real estate websites like Zillow may still have your home’s description from when it was last sold. Use that as a guide for what to include, but do not copy the old description to avoid copyright infringement. (This also applies to photos.)
Inspiration: Look at descriptions of other homes in your area for ideas, but again, do not copy them.
Fair Housing Act Compliance: The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disabilities, or familial status. Avoid terminology that even alludes to these issues. For example, even mentioning that a home is near a church can be problematic. Be cautious here.
DESCRIPTIVE REAL ESTATE WORDS
Check out these links to helpful adjectives and keywords that can enhance your listing:
OPENING
The intro should capture the reader’s attention. Descriptive adjectives like those found in the links above can be helpful.
CORE
This section highlights features and helps readers imagine living in the home. Describe the benefits of features rather than just listing them. Stay concise and factual.
A rule of thumb is to touch on the main points in the order your pictures appear (starting in the front of the home, moving inside to the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, then to the rear of the home).
Be sure to note any upgrades, renovations, or improvements you completed.
Highlight any special features of the home, like hardwood floors, marble countertops, tile showers, insulated windows, solid wood doors, nice views, outdoor areas, etc.
Also include name brands of premium appliances, windows, and doors (like Viking, Sub-Zero, Thermador, etc.) as this indicates quality.
Note any nice neighborhood or location features, too. The home may be close to certain districts or attractions, or maybe have amenities nearby like walking trails, parks, or a community pool. Also note a highly-rated school system if it is in your area (this must remain fact based, like "A-rated schools." Subjective terms like "good" can violate the Fair Housing Act).
CLOSING / CALL TO ACTION
The closing should convey a sense of excitement or urgency to encourage buyers to act. Avoid sounding too cheesy, but a well-done call to action can be effective.
Finally, don’t forget to mention that by using Yellow, you are helping buyers save time and money!
By following these guidelines, you can create a compelling property description that effectively showcases your home to potential buyers.
House Hunt Network How to write real estate copy
Sellers are legally required to make disclosures about their home. This is true even when selling a home on your own.
YELLOW has built the disclosures into the process when you list your home, so there are no additional documents to complete. Sellers will receive a completed copy of these forms after the home is listed on Yellow.
By law, sellers must disclose any material defects of the home that they are aware of.
This only applies to issues you know about.
You aren't expected to know about everything, especially inside the walls. However, you could face legal trouble if the problem is something obvious, like a leaky roof, and you don't disclose it. It is crucial to be honest here.
The blank disclosure forms for both houses and condos can be found below.
Condo owners must disclose details about the association and the fees charged. A blank copy of this form can be found below:
Homes with HOAs must disclose details about the association. A blank copy of this form can be found below:
The federal government requires that buyers of homes built before 1978 be aware that lead paint may be present in the home. This does not mean the home has lead paint present, but all homes built before 1978 are required to have this notification. A blank copy of this form can be found below:
Condo sellers are required to provide additional documents, which sellers may recall from when they purchased the condo.
Required documents include:
Here’s How to Make It Work
Selling and buying a property at the same time can be tricky. Without a good plan, you may feel pressured to buy the wrong home out of desperation. Fortunately, there are several strategies to avoid juggling two mortgages, prevent rushed decisions, and help you manage both transactions effectively.
Start by speaking with your lender to ensure you’re pre-approved for a new mortgage without having to sell your current home first. Having this pre-approval gives you more control over timing and helps avoid unexpected hurdles.
YELLOW SAYS...
BUY NEW HOUSE FIRST, THEN SELL
In our experience, the best result comes when the new home is bought first, then the old home is sold once you've moved out.
This makes the selling process much easier.
Once the home is empty, you can clean it, make any final touch-ups, and keep it ready for showings without having to work around your everyday schedule. Buyers can usually see the home more easily, and you also avoid the pressure of trying to perfectly coordinate the sale of one home with the purchase and move into another.
Of course, this means covering two mortgages for an undetermined amount of time, so sufficient savings are needed in order to do this.
CONCURRENT SALE OPTIONS:
A NOTE ON SALE CONTINGENCIES
YELLOW does not include sale contingencies in our buyer offers, as these can complicate and slow down the process. Contingency-based offers are also frequently rejected by sellers, so keep this in mind when making offers on your next home.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Selling and buying a home simultaneously takes careful planning, but the right approach can make it smooth and manageable. Whether you decide to buy first or sell first, having options like recasting, HELOCs, and temporary housing can make a big difference. Explore each path with your lender and agent to find the one that best fits your financial situation and timing goals, allowing you to make your next move confidently.
Once you’ve entered your home’s info and uploaded the pictures, it won’t immediately go live (where it appears on our website, the MLS, and other real estate websites).
Selling your home
Visits to your home
