Long Island home exterior photographed for a listing

Seller resources

Your guide to selling a home

Seven steps from valuation to closing table, with what ARVY handles at each one.

Start with a valuation

Before anything else, find out what the market says your home is worth today. A proper valuation analyzes recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, current market conditions, your home's features and condition, and local market trends. We provide a written analysis showing how we arrived at the number, not just a guess. Everything after this decision depends on the price being honest and grounded in real data. An inflated valuation wastes time; an accurate one positions you to sell at the best achievable price in the shortest reasonable timeframe.

Prepare the house

Strategic preparation gets you more money and sells your home faster. Focus on repairs that matter to buyers: leaking faucets, broken fixtures, worn caulking, scuffed trim. Fresh neutral paint photographs well and lets buyers see the space rather than your color choices. Clear clutter from counters, closets, and garages so rooms look larger. Deep clean carpets, windows, and baseboards. Fix curb appeal issues: trim overgrown bushes, edge the lawn, mulch beds, paint or clean the front door. Good preparation costs less than the price reduction you will face if the house shows poorly.

Price it for this market

Price your home for the market that exists today, not the market from last year or the one you wish existed. The first two weeks on the market bring the most qualified, motivated buyers. If the price is too high, those buyers pass and you chase the market down with reductions that make later buyers wonder what is wrong. We analyze current active listings (your competition), recent sales (what buyers actually paid), and pending contracts (where the market is moving right now) to recommend a price that attracts offers quickly. Overpricing costs more time than it ever gains in dollars.

Market it properly

Effective marketing reaches the buyers who will pay the most for your home. This starts with professional photography that shows your home in the best light and makes buyers want to see more. We write accurate, compelling listing remarks that highlight what makes your property valuable. Full MLS syndication distributes your listing to Zillow, Realtor.com, and other major portals where buyers search. We reach out directly to agents in our network who have buyers actively looking in your area and price range. Email campaigns, social media promotion, and targeted digital advertising extend your reach beyond the MLS.

Show the home

Flexible showing windows and well-planned open houses maximize the number of qualified buyers who see your property. We coordinate showings with minimal disruption to your schedule while ensuring the home is accessible when serious buyers want to see it. Open houses create urgency and let buyers compare your home to others they saw that day. After every showing and open house, we collect detailed feedback and share it with you: what buyers liked, what concerned them, how your home compared to others they are considering. This real-time market intelligence helps us adjust strategy if needed.

Review offers

When offers come in, we review the complete terms, not just the purchase price. Financing type matters: cash and conventional financing close more reliably than FHA or VA in some situations. Contingencies affect your risk: inspection, financing, appraisal, and sale of buyer's home. Deposit amount signals buyer commitment. Closing timeline affects when you receive proceeds and need to vacate. We compare all terms side by side, explain the trade-offs of each offer, and help you understand which terms are negotiable. The highest price is not always the best offer when you factor in likelihood of closing and total net proceeds.

Contract to closing

From accepted offer to closing day, we manage the timeline and handle issues before they become delays. The buyer's inspection will identify items; we review the report with you and negotiate which repairs you will address. The appraisal must support the contract price; if it comes in low, we have strategies to keep the deal together. Title work uncovers any liens or easements that need clearing. We coordinate with the buyer's agent, lender, attorney, and title company to keep all parties on schedule. The final walkthrough confirms the property is in the agreed-upon condition. At closing, you sign the deed, receive your proceeds, and hand over the keys. We stay available after closing for any follow-up questions.

Get the seller's guide

A printable version you can work through before you list.