Seller's guide
Selling Your Home in Southwest Washington
Selling your home is more than a transaction. It's a significant life event, so we focus on making the process smooth, rewarding and as stress-free as possible.
With deep knowledge of the Southwest Washington market and a commitment to exceptional service, we help sellers across Vancouver and Clark County get the best possible results. Here's how we work, what our marketing includes and what Washington sellers should know about their bottom line before listing.
Want a number before you read on? Request a free home valuation and we'll follow up with a detailed market analysis.
What sets us apart
Creative talent
From staging advice to strategic marketing, we know how to make your home shine and stand out from the listings around it.
A network of buyers
Strong community connections and a wide referral network help us put your home in front of qualified buyers quickly.
A proven track record
A large share of our transactions come from referrals and repeat clients, a testament to the trust we've earned.
Why sellers choose us
Local market expertise
Every community in Southwest Washington has its own appeal, and buyers shopping in Camas are often looking for something different than buyers in Ridgefield or downtown Vancouver. We build a marketing strategy that reaches the right buyers with the right message to secure the best price for your home.
Your home in its best light
First impressions are everything. From professional photography to compelling property descriptions, we highlight your home's best features so it stands out on every platform where buyers are searching.
Personal attention at every step
Selling a home involves a lot of moving parts. From listing paperwork and the marketing plan to negotiations and closing, we manage every phase with care and keep you informed along the way.
The home selling process
- Initial consultation. We'll talk through your goals, timeline and expectations and build a plan around them.
- Home preparation. We'll recommend staging, repairs and improvements that are worth the money, and just as importantly, the ones that aren't.
- Strategic pricing. Using a comprehensive market analysis, we'll help you set a competitive price that attracts buyers and maximizes your return.
- Marketing your home. High-quality photos, virtual tours, online listings and targeted advertising put your home in front of the right audience.
- Showings and open houses. We coordinate every showing and host open houses so buyers can fall in love with your home.
- Negotiations. When offers arrive, we negotiate on your behalf for the best price and terms, not just the highest number.
- Closing. We handle the details through closing day so the finish is as smooth as the start.
Our marketing plan for your home
- Professional photography and video to capture your home's best features.
- Online exposure across the major real estate platforms, social media and our own website.
- Targeted advertising that reaches local and regional buyers through digital and print campaigns, including buyers relocating from Portland and out of state.
- Compelling property descriptions with thoughtful, engaging wording that highlights what makes your home unique.
- A little personality. Our Robbie Rex videos have a following of their own, and yes, the dinosaur has been known to make an appearance.
What affects your bottom line in Washington
Your sale price is only part of the picture. Before you list, we'll prepare an estimated net sheet so you can see what you're likely to walk away with. A few Washington-specific items to know about:
- Real estate excise tax (REET). Washington charges an excise tax on most home sales, usually paid by the seller. The state rate is graduated, so it rises in tiers with the sale price, and a local portion is added on top. Your escrow officer calculates the exact amount.
- Washington's capital gains tax doesn't apply to real estate. The state capital gains tax that took effect in 2022 exempts real estate sales, so it won't touch the proceeds from selling your home.
- The federal home sale exclusion. If you meet the IRS ownership and use tests for a primary residence, you can generally exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or up to $500,000 for married couples filing jointly. Unmarried co-owners can each apply their own exclusion to their share if they qualify. A tax professional can confirm how this applies to you.
- Other closing costs. Escrow fees, title insurance, any payoff of your existing mortgage and any repair credits you negotiate all factor in, and we'll walk through each one.
Selling during a life change
Many of our sellers are also navigating something bigger: relocating for work, downsizing after the kids have moved out, separating from a partner, caring for a parent or settling a loved one's estate. We handle those sales with discretion and patience, coordinate with your attorney or other advisors when needed, and move at a pace that works for you. If you're buying in Clark County at the same time, we'll help you plan the timing so you're not stuck with two mortgages or no place to live. Our buyer's guide covers the purchase side.
Curious who you'd be working with? Read more about Real Estate Rob and our approach.
Thinking about selling?
Start with a complimentary home valuation and a personalized selling plan. We'll show you what your home could sell for, what you'd likely net and how we'd market it.
Rob Mourton is a licensed real estate broker with Kinected Realty serving Clark County and Southwest Washington. This article is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice; talk with a qualified attorney, tax professional or loan officer about your situation. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
