If I Were Selling My Own House in Rochester This Summer, Here's Exactly What I'd Do

People ask me all the time:

"Nate, what would you do if you were selling your own house?"

It’s a fair question. There’s no shortage of advice out there from friends, neighbors, HGTV, Facebook groups, and everyone who has ever sold a house once (40 years ago, in another state…).

Some of that advice is helpful. A lot of it is not.

So if I were selling my own home this summer, here’s how I’d think about it.

I’d Focus on First Impressions, Not Perfection

I would not spend months trying to make the house perfect.

Instead, I’d ask: What will buyers notice right away?

That means I’d focus on decluttering, deep cleaning - especially addressing any odors, curb appeal, small touch-ups, and anything that looks broken or neglected.

A good house cleaner and handyman are your best friends here!

I would not spend $20,000 trying to squeeze out an extra $5,000 in value.

I’d Price It to Create Activity

Sellers usually want to talk about the highest possible price.

Buyers care about value.

If I were selling, I’d want a price that gets attention right away—not one that leaves me chasing the market later. We often call this "teaser pricing”, and it’s become common in the Rochester, NY real estate market since 2020.

The goal is not just to list high. The goal is to strategically create interest, showings, and strong offers.

I’d Invest in Great Photos

The first showing happens online.

Before a buyer ever walks through the front door, they’ve already judged the photos, compared the home to other houses in the Rochester, NY area, and decided whether it’s worth seeing.

Good photos do not replace a good house.

But they do help get buyers in the door.

I’d Make Showings Easy

Showing your home is inconvenient. There’s no way around it.

But if I were selling, I’d make it as easy as possible for qualified buyers to see the house.

More showings mean more opportunities for offers. Too many restrictions can quietly shrink your buyer pool. If I needed a little “me time,” I’d even take the family for a weekend to a hotel with a pool and make showings super easy!

I’d Keep Negotiations in Perspective

The highest offer is not always the best offer.

I’d look at the full picture: price, financing, contingencies, timing, inspections, and how likely the deal is to actually close.

Sometimes the strongest offer is the cleanest one—not just the biggest one.

The Bottom Line

If I were selling my own house this summer, I’d keep it simple:

Make a strong first impression.
Price strategically.
Use great marketing.
Make showings easy.
Stay focused on the goal.

Most sellers do not need a perfect home.

They need a smart plan.

If you’re thinking about selling this year in Rochester and want honest advice about what makes sense for your home, I’d be happy to help.