Home Seller’s Guide: 12 Commandments of Selling in 2026
Selling a home can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategy, it doesn’t have to be. In today’s market, 40% of homes are withdrawing unsold, and when our team dug into why, we found that most of these properties were missing 4–5 of the essential steps that successful sellers follow. Our home seller’s guide outlines 12 expert commandments designed to help your home sell faster, for top dollar, and with less stress.
#1: Have a Professional Realtor With a Proven Track Record
A proven Realtor brings market knowledge, pricing precision, strategic preparation, marketing expertise, and expert negotiation skills. Our team brings over 50 years of combined experience to the table. Homes that launch with the right agent are positioned to win from day one.
#2: Prepare Your Home for Today’s Buyers
We guide you through exactly what today’s buyers expect from paint and flooring to lighting and curb appeal, so your home shows at its best and commands maximum value without over-improving.
#3: Eliminate Any Deal Killers
Our team identifies potential red flags early, especially in kitchens and primary bathrooms, and helps you address them before they derail a sale, keeping buyers focused on the home, not the problems.
#4: Get a Pre-Listing Home Inspection
By recommending a pre-listing inspection, we help uncover issues upfront, reduce renegotiations, and create a smoother, more predictable path from contract to closing.
#5: Professionally Priced for the Market
We use data, local expertise, and real-time market trends to price your home strategically, attracting serious buyers quickly and preventing your home from sitting or going stale.
#6: Expose Your Home to the Maximum Audience
Our marketing goes beyond the MLS. Through targeted social media, custom campaigns, dedicated property websites, and agent-to-agent outreach, we create demand that drives stronger offers.
#7: Complete a Predictive Analysis
We leverage predictive analysis to anticipate buyer behavior, test pricing strategies, and position your home for maximum impact, leading to more showings, stronger offers, and faster results.
#8: Address Objections by Highlighting Benefits
When buyers hesitate, our team knows how to reframe objections by emphasizing lifestyle, upgrades, location, and long-term value, keeping negotiations moving forward.
#9: Host Open Houses Strategically
We use open houses as a strategic tool to increase exposure, attract unrepresented buyers, and create competitive energy that benefits you.
#10: Encourage Highest and Best Offers
When multiple buyers show interest, we manage a structured highest-and-best process designed to maximize your final sale price while minimizing stress and uncertainty.
#11: Stay Calm and Focused
Selling is emotional. Our role is to keep you grounded with data, clear communication, and strategy. Decisions are driven by your goals, not the moment.
#12: Buyers and Sellers Should Not Meet Before Settlement
We protect the process by keeping negotiations professional and parties separate, reducing friction and ensuring a smoother, more successful transaction.
Ready to Sell?
Selling your home doesn’t have to be a guessing game. By following these 12 commandments, you can sell faster, for more money, and with less stress. Contact our team today to start your customized plan and make your home sale a success. Our team sold $100M more than any other agent with homes over $1.5M, this is no market to work with second best.
📞 Call us or schedule a free consultation to see how we can work for you. 703-508-2535.
🎙️Watch our team discuss this topic on episode 5 and 6 The 12 days of Selling: Part one & Part Two, of our Podcast Real Housed.
The Casey Samson Team is a premier Northern Virginia real estate team known for unmatched market expertise, powerful negotiation skills, and exceptional client service. In 2025, our team achieved $234M in home sales, ranking as a top producing team at the leading brokerage in the DMV real estate market.
Our Realtors are consistently recognized among the top agents in Vienna, Oakton, Haymarket, Aldie, Ashburn, and Leesburg, Virginia, helping buyers and sellers navigate today’s competitive market with confidence. Whether you’re looking to buy a home or sell a home in Northern Virginia, our team delivers proven results, local insight, and a client-first experience.