Wichita Real Estate Blog | Tips for Buying, Selling, and Living in Wichita, KS

One of the most common questions homeowners ask is: “What’s the first step to selling my home?”

I’m Bobbie Lane, a Wichita real estate agent, and since 2016 I’ve helped clients complete more than 700 real estate transactions totaling over $152 million in sales. From my experience, the most important first step is not putting the home on the market right away.

The first step is meeting at the property and evaluating the home together.

Start With a Walk Through of the Home

When a homeowner contacts me about selling their house in Wichita, I like to start with a meeting at the property itself.

During that meeting I like to hear the homeowner’s story about the house and their plans moving forward. At the same time, I bring a comparative market analysis (CMA) so we can review recent comparable sales in the area.

However, I don’t finalize pricing until I’ve actually seen the home in person. Once I walk through the property, I often make adjustments to the value based on condition, updates, and how the home compares to others currently on the market.

Look at the Home the Way Buyers Will See It

One of the biggest things I help sellers with during that first meeting is seeing their home through a buyer’s eyes.

When you live in a home every day, it’s easy to become blind to small things. Buyers, on the other hand, notice them immediately when they walk through the door.

Two of the most common things I recommend are:

Decluttering
Your home does not have to look like no one lives there, but a lot of items on shelves and countertops can become distractions for buyers.

Removing pet-related items
Even if a home does not have any odor, seeing pet items can create a negative perception for some buyers. I usually recommend removing things like dog bowls, toys, or cat furniture so buyers focus on the home itself rather than pets.

Don’t Overlook the Front Porch

Most sellers think about curb appeal, but front porch appeal is just as important.

When a buyer arrives at your home with their agent, they often walk up to the porch and wait while the agent opens the lockbox. That means the buyer is standing there for a moment looking around before they even enter the house.

You want that space to feel welcoming.

Simple things can make a big difference, such as:

• Clean surfaces
• A small seating area
• Plants or flowers
• A tidy entryway

If there is nothing for buyers to focus on, they often start noticing small imperfections like cracked paint or minor wear. While those things may not be major issues, they can create a negative first impression before the buyer even walks inside.

Pricing Strategy Matters More Than Most Sellers Realize

After evaluating the property and reviewing comparable sales, the next step is determining the right pricing strategy.

In my experience there are three common approaches when listing a home:

Overpriced
Homes that are priced above market value often sit on the market with little activity. Eventually the seller reduces the price, but by that time the home can develop a negative reputation with buyers.

Market Price
This is where most homes should be listed. Market value is based on comparable sales, condition, and current inventory.

Under Market Value
Sometimes pricing slightly below market can generate significant interest and even multiple offers. The risk is that if offers do not come quickly, there is less room to adjust the price later.

A Real Example From a Wichita Listing

I recently worked with a seller who initially wanted to list their home for $350,000 based on a Zillow estimate.

After reviewing comparable sales, the condition of the home, and current inventory in the neighborhood, the actual market value was closer to $325,000.

I showed them examples of homes in their neighborhood that were overpriced and either sat on the market for months or eventually sold for less than what the true market value had been earlier.

They decided to list at market value, and within a week we received a full price offer.

Pricing correctly from the beginning often produces the best outcome.

Final Thoughts

The first step to selling your home in Wichita is not just putting a sign in the yard. It starts with understanding the home, the condition, the current market, and the right pricing strategy.

Meeting at the property, reviewing comparable sales, and making small improvements before listing can make a big difference in how quickly a home sells and the final price.

If you’re thinking about selling your home in Wichita, taking the time to start with the right strategy can help you get the best possible results.