11 Tips for Selling Luxury Homes Quickly (and Without Any Price Drops)

2. Work with a real estate agent who has experience in the luxury market

Having an experienced agent by your side is always a huge advantage in a real estate transaction, but for luxury clientele, the stakes are even higher.

These sellers and buyers expect “white glove service”, Schwartz said.

Aside from expertise, luxury buyers and sellers want a higher level of service and discretion. In 2024, nearly 300,000 homes sold for over $1 million, a noticeable rise from the previous year, indicating a growing competitive market.

Affluent homebuyers have discerning tastes when it comes to high-end properties. They focus on a property’s intricate architectural details, premium materials, and exclusive amenities that enhance the luxury experience. A skilled luxury agent understands how to appeal to this audience, helping you position your home effectively and providing the personalized attention these clients expect.

Moreover, luxury real estate agents offer insight into pricing and negotiate with tact, knowing that every detail counts in a luxury transaction. With their guidance, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the nuances of the luxury market and achieve your selling goals.

“When the phone rings, they want to get a call back as soon as possible or even a pickup. They know what they’re looking for, and they know what they want. … With a high-end buyer, you really have to make sure you’re listening.”

3. Use quality photos—and tell a story

Top-notch photos can make your house sell 32% faster than a house with low-quality or average pictures because they grab buyers’ attention.

“The pictures are the number one thing,” said Schwartz, who noted that many potential buyers online don’t read the listing as much as look at the visuals. “We also do a video as well, so they can kind of feel the home through a story.”

A professional real estate photographer knows where to place the camera and what lenses to use to showcase your property at its best.

4. Point out high-end features

A luxury home isn’t defined just by price. It has a prime location. These are the top luxury real estate hotspots, along with the average home prices:

• Manhattan: $24.6 million
• Greater Los Angeles: $17.5 million
• Miami-Dade: $18 million
• Palm Beach County: $18.8 million
• Orange County: $14.8 million

Luxury homes might be in an exclusive or gated community or chic neighborhood, like this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in New York City’s Murray Hill.

Being designed by a well-known architect is a selling point, as are top-notch amenities and high-end finishes, which may vary by where you live. In Miami, for instance, Schwartz touts modern clean lines or Art Deco architecture, along with brand-name appliances, a tub and Jacuzzi with jets in the master bath, and lush landscaping that offers privacy luxury buyers want.

Smart security features, smaller swimming pools (allowing for more backyard entertaining space), guest suites, pocket doors, imported design elements, and pairs of stoves, dishwashers, and washers and dryers likewise elevate the luxurious home experience.

Bear in mind that luxury features are relative. Having a wine cellar, a home theater, a private elevator, a library, and heated floors are all good to advertise. But just as vital are items considered a premium in your area.

For instance, in the Murray Hill apartment, having “custom closets with plenty of storage” is as much of a draw as a 24-hour doorman, laundry facility, courtyard, garage, and “roof deck with great river and city views.”

5. Check out that view!

Speaking of views, luxury buyers love a view. In Miami Beach, Surfside, Bal Harbour, and Coral Gables, it pays to mention beach and ocean views immediately. “The first thing when they walk into a high-end luxury condo is the view,” Schwartz said. “They step out to the balcony, and then they come back in and go around inside.”

When actress and singer Jennifer Lopez and ballplayer Alex Rodriguez put their 4,000-square-foot New York City condo on the market in 2019 for $17.5 million, the listing mentioned “northern and eastern exposures with Central Park and city views” within the first three lines. The condo sold in five months, which is fast in the luxury world, for the full asking price.

6. Measure up right

Letting in lots of natural light and showcasing an unobstructed view boost resale value. But in the luxury market, high ceilings (up to about 14 feet, compared with the more common 8.5 feet) increase your returns. Advertise not only your square footage but cubic footage as well.

7. Say if the home is move-in ready

Schwartz’s average price point is $971,000, which includes turnkey homes at $1 million and higher, and others that are considered starter homes at about $600,000 to $700,000. If you have potential buyers interested in custom finishes and fixtures, you can advertise your home as a place they can improve little by little while living there.

However, luxury buyers typically aren’t looking for a project, so if your luxury home is “move-in ready,” be sure to highlight its turnkey condition as a big selling point, especially if a big-name developer or interior designer has already worked on your home.

8. Show off the lifestyle

Florida is one of the few states with no state income tax, which entices wealthy homebuyers from other states. “We’re getting a lot of people coming in from the Northeast because of the tax advantages here,” Schwartz said.

Even if your home doesn’t have that financial allure, note points of interest nearby so that newcomers can see how swiftly they can find the high-end restaurants, shopping, and entertainment to which they’re accustomed.

“So they feel like they’re part of a community,” Schwartz said. “It’s in a good area, and it’s easy to get to if they [want] to step away from the comfort of their home and discover new areas.”

9. Focus on Instagram, old-school newspapers, and open houses for your marketing

Your luxury listing should be featured on all the standard real estate listing websites and blasted across social media. However, Schwartz highlighted one platform, “We do a lot of Instagram. ”

Instagram, which has more than two billion users worldwide, has become a key tool in home sales. Its unique focus on gorgeous photography serves the luxury real estate market especially well. With its Carousel feature, you can post up to 20 images in a single post and show the ins and outs of an entire property.

Schwartz also mixes marketing on social media with advertising in publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, along with open houses. She’s found that potential luxury buyers like to drop in with “a little more free rein, and they can check out what they like.”

10. Speak to the market

Luxury homes aren’t just about private estates and mega-mansions anymore. As millennials become prime consumers, they tend to focus on eco-friendly products and “discreet wealth.” Some affluent buyers prefer to expand their portfolio by investing in multiple smaller properties rather than managing a large, high-maintenance estate.

Promote the experience that your property can offer as opposed to just the square footage. Does it have community amenities, such as a spa? Does it have a great Walkability Score placing it near cultural attractions and trendy hotspots?

11. Stage your luxury property with high-end touches

Staging helps you sell your luxury real estate for a higher price because high-end buyers expect a polished, move-in-ready home that reflects elegance and exclusivity. It effectively highlights premium materials, custom finishes, and unique architectural details, reinforcing the home’s value. More importantly, it helps buyers envision the upscale lifestyle the home offers.

Even if your home is neat and pristine, hiring a professional stager who can offer advice on decluttering and enhancing the property with appropriate furnishings and artwork really helps to sell the luxury lifestyle.

Elevate your luxury home sale

Selling a luxury home demands a well-thought-out strategy, deep market knowledge, and a keen eye for detail. From understanding the competitive landscape to crafting a marketing plan tailored to affluent circles, every step is crucial in attracting the right buyers. While it may take additional preparation and effort, with the right partner, you can ensure a timely sale at the right price.

A skilled luxury real estate agent brings invaluable insight into local market trends, helping position your home effectively. Reach out to a real estate agent specializing in high-end properties to maximize your home’s value and appeal.

Header Image Source: (Julia Kuzenkov/ Pexels)