Minnesota Home Selling Strategies by Joe Houghton

Pricing Your House Right the First Time Set the Right Price. Maximize Your Results. One of the biggest mistakes Minnesota homeowners make when listing their property is overpricing it from the start. As a full-time Realtor with over 22 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to price a home correctly right out of the gate. Those first 7–10 days on the market are your sweet spot — that’s when your listing is freshest and gets the most attention. It’s your best shot at generating buzz, showings, and strong offers. If your price is too high, you risk losing serious buyers before they ever walk through the door. Why Pricing Correctly Matters First impressions count – Buyers (and agents) are constantly comparing listings. If your home looks overpriced, they’ll scroll right past it. Online activity peaks early – Sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and your MLS feed give your home a quick visibility burst — but only once. Price reductions can backfire – Dr...

How to Handle a Lowball Offer on Your Home Stay Strategic, Not Emotional — and Turn a Low Offer into a Better Deal Imagine this: you’ve spent weeks preparing your home, it’s finally on the market, and then the first offer comes in… but it’s tens of thousands below your asking price. Ouch. Lowball offers are more common than many Minnesota homeowners expect — especially in shifting markets or when buyers are testing seller motivation. But a low offer doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. In fact, it’s often the starting point for a successful sale. Step 1: Don’t Take It Personally As someone who’s helped hundreds of sellers across the Twin Cities navigate offers — from fair to frustrating — I can’t stress this enough: keep your cool. Buyers may be gauging your flexibility, reacting to market headlines, or simply aiming low to see what happens. It doesn’t necessarily reflect their true willingness to pay. Step 2: Evaluate the Full Offer Before rejecting it outright, consider th...