How to Sell Your Home in Delaware

Know Your Selling Options

Every seller has different priorities—speed, price, convenience, or certainty. Understanding your options helps you make the best decision for your situation.

Traditional Listing

List on the MLS, market to all buyers, and typically achieve the highest sale price. Best for sellers who have time and flexibility. Average time on market in Delaware is 30-45 days, plus 30-45 days to close.

Cash Offer

Sell as-is to a cash buyer with no showings, repairs, or financing contingencies. Close in as few as 14 days. Best for sellers who prioritize speed and certainty over maximum price.

Guaranteed Sale

Get the best of both worlds—list your home traditionally while holding a guaranteed backup offer. If your home doesn't sell on the open market within your timeframe, we'll buy it at the agreed price.

Prepare Your Home to Sell

Small improvements make big differences in how quickly your house sells and the price it commands. Focus on changes that help buyers imagine themselves living there.

4 Factors That Affect Your Home's Saleability

• Price PointPricing for the current market is critical. Factors that matter: location, design, amenities, competing properties, and economic conditions. What you paid or spent on improvements has little influence.
• Market ConditionsThe real estate market fluctuates. We'll discuss the pros and cons of listing during varied market conditions to help you time your sale strategically.
• Property ConditionCondition affects both price and speed. If repairs or staging are needed, we'll assist with guidance and our trusted vendor network.
• Market ExposureWe focus on what we can control—market exposure and negotiating offers. With a comprehensive marketing plan, your home will get noticed in any market.

The 10-Step Selling Process

Here's what to expect when you list your home with Rush Home Team, from initial consultation to handing over the keys.

Show Home Ready in One Hour

Got a last-minute showing? Here's your quick prep checklist:

• Make the beds
• Grab a basket and put personal clutter in your car
• Make sure bathroom towels are clean, straightened and match
• Wipe down toilets and put the lids down
• Wipe down all counter tops and sinks
• Open all blinds & turn on all the lights in the house
• Make sure the house temperature is comfortable
• Make sure the house smells good (don't overdo the air freshener)
• Vacuum carpeted areas, sweep all surfaces
• Clean all mirrors
• Sweep the front doorway and wipe off the mat

What to Expect After Accepting an Offer

Once you've accepted an offer, it's time to start the under contract process. There are a few dates and deadlines to be aware of: title deadline, due diligence, inspection, appraisal, and loan conditions. The under contract process can normally take anywhere from 30-60 days.

Inspection

One of the most crucial steps in buying a home is performing an inspection. The buyers elect to do this if they choose. The buyer's agent will set up a day and time that works for you to have the inspector perform a full inspection on your home. You will be asked to leave during this time. It should take anywhere from 1-4 hours depending on the size of your home.

After inspection, the buyer's agent will send an inspection report requesting specific repairs or replacements, if needed. At this time you can decide which items you agree to fix, repair or replace, if any. Remember: inspection items that affect health and safety are required.

Appraisal

An appraisal will be required by the lender if the buyer is obtaining a loan. The appraisal could come in low, high, or at value. We will guide you through the process on the right moves to make if the appraisal comes in low. After the appraisal, we wait for the loan conditions deadline for the buyer and are that much closer to the closing table.

Negotiating the Deal Successfully

• Disclose everythingBe proactive about disclosing all known defects to buyers—avoid legal problems later.
• Respect the buyerRemember your priorities, but also respect the buyer. This will be their next home and they're nervous about the unknowns.
• Ask questionsOffers may include complicated terminology, which can be clarified for you.
• Respond quicklyThe mood for the buyer to buy is exactly when the offer is made—don't delay.
• Meet halfwayIf there are disagreements about small expenses, split the difference and move on.
• Stay calmEven if the situation is tense, keeping your cool leads to better outcomes.

HOA Communities

If you live in an HOA community, check in with the HOA to see if there are any restrictions or policies when listing your condo/townhome. If you have any known info regarding assessments, certification letters or HOA covenants, have those available for buyers.

Closing 101

The closing process finalizes the sale of your home and makes everything official. Also known as settlement, the closing is when you get paid and the buyer receives the deed to your home.

What to Bring to Closing

• A valid government-issued picture ID
• House keys
• Garage door opener(s)
• Mailbox key and any other spare keys

What to Expect

The closing attorney will look over the purchase contract and identify what payments are owed and by whom. They prepare documents for the closing, conduct the closing, and make sure taxes, title searches, real estate commissions and other closing costs are paid. They ensure that the buyer's title is recorded and that you receive any money due to you.

Seller Etiquette Checklist

As you prepare to hand over the keys, here's everything you need to do to leave your home in perfect condition for the new owners.

Before Closing Day

• Remove all personal property, including items you're throwing out
• Schedule bulk trash pick up before closing (no bulk trash at curb on closing day)
• Vacuum and sweep all floors
• Clean kitchen appliances, inside refrigerator and stove
• Contact utility company to transfer utilities as of closing day
• Cancel homeowners insurance to coincide with closing date
• Update your address and forward your mail
• Yard should be freshly mowed on closing day

What to Leave Behind

• One front door key to closing; all other keys left in kitchen
• All garage door openers and remotes for fans/lights in the kitchen
• Mailbox key and mailbox number (if applicable)
• Manuals, warranties, and guides for items staying in the home
• Maintenance schedule should remain in the home
• Leave forwarding address for mail and deliveries
• Consider leaving a note with trash/recycle day