To sell a house in the United States, follow these steps: Prepare the property by decluttering, making repairs, and staging it. List the home with a licensed real estate agent who will set a price, market it via multiple listing services (MLS), and schedule showings. Negotiate offers with buyers, verify financing, and conduct a home inspection. Once an offer is accepted, execute a purchase agreement, secure title insurance, and close the sale through escrow. Required procedures include a comparative market analysis (CMA), appraisal, title search, and addressing contingencies like financing or inspection. The closing involves signing documents, transferring keys, and finalizing the sale.

Preparation and adherence to procedures are critical to maximizing efficiency and value. A well-prepared home sold through a realtor typically sells 30% faster than a FSBO (for sale by owner) listing, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Staging reduces sale time by 15-20 days on average, per the Real Estate Staging Association. Title searches identify 0.5% of properties with legal issues annually, per the American Title Association, underscoring the need for title insurance, which covers 99% of claims. Appraisals ensure fair pricing, with 60% of loans rejected due to low appraisals, as noted by Fannie Mae. Home inspections reveal 3.5 average defects per property, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), highlighting the necessity of addressing buyer contingencies. A structured process minimizes risks and aligns with 88% of sellers reporting satisfaction when working with professionals, per NAR’s 2023 report.