How Does the Home Selling Process Work in New Jersey? A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you're upgrading, downsizing, relocating, or just curious, selling a home in New Jersey involves more than putting up a sign and waiting for offers. And if you’re in Hudson County—where the market moves fast and buyer expectations are high—understanding the steps ahead of time can give you a major edge.

Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to the home selling process in NJ, from prep to closing.

Hoboken, NJ

Step 1: Choose the Right Real Estate Agent

First things first: don’t go it alone.

In New Jersey, a local, experienced agent does more than just list your property. They guide pricing, coordinate marketing, manage showings, negotiate offers, and help you avoid costly mistakes.

At The Jill Biggs Group, we specialize in selling homes throughout Hoboken, Jersey City, Union City, Weehawken, and the surrounding areas—giving sellers the edge with data-driven pricing and unmatched local expertise.

Step 2: Prepare Your Home for Market

Before your home goes live, it needs to look its best.

That means:

• Decluttering and deep cleaning

• Minor repairs or touch-ups

• Professional staging (yes, it makes a difference)

• High-quality photography and video

Buyers shop online first. If your photos don’t pop or your home isn’t show-ready, you could miss out on serious interest.

Step 3: Set a Competitive Listing Price

Pricing in NJ—especially in Hudson County—is strategic.

Your agent should analyze:

• Comparable recent sales (“comps”)

• Current inventory

• Buyer demand in your neighborhood

• Seasonal timing and interest rate trends

The goal? A price that attracts multiple buyers and strong offers, not one that leads to weeks of sitting and inevitable price cuts.

Step 4: Go Live and Market the Property

Once your home is photo-ready and priced right, your agent will list it on the MLS and syndicate it across Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and more.

But listing is just the beginning.

At The Jill Biggs Group, our marketing plan includes:

• Social media campaigns

• Email blasts to thousands of local agents and buyers

• Pre-market teasers to build momentum

• Open houses, broker tours, and more

The first 7–10 days on market are critical—and your listing needs to shine.

Step 5: Showings and Open Houses

Buyers will want to tour your home privately and/or attend an open house. This is your chance to show off what makes your home special.

During this phase:

• Keep your home tidy and available for showings

• Try to leave during tours so buyers feel comfortable

• Expect feedback that helps fine-tune your sale strategy if needed

Step 6: Receive and Negotiate Offers

Once an interested buyer submits an offer, your agent will help you:

• Review the price, terms, and contingencies

• Compare multiple offers (if you’re lucky and well-positioned)

• Negotiate the best possible deal

New Jersey is an attorney review state, meaning no offer is binding until both parties’ attorneys review and approve the contract. This phase typically lasts 3 business days.

Step 7: Attorney Review

In NJ, every home sale goes through a mandatory attorney review period.

During this time:

• Both the buyer and seller’s attorneys can propose changes to the contract

• Either party can cancel the deal without penalty

• Once both sides agree, the contract becomes legally binding

This step protects you—but it's also where strong communication and legal expertise are key.

Step 8: Home Inspection and Negotiations

After attorney review, the buyer will schedule a home inspection. Depending on what comes up, they may:

• Request repairs

• Ask for a credit

• Walk away, depending on contingencies

Your agent will guide how to respond. Not every issue needs to be fixed—but ignoring major items can delay or derail the deal.

Step 9: Appraisal and Buyer’s Mortgage Approval

If the buyer is financing, their lender will require an appraisal to confirm the home is worth the purchase price. If the appraisal comes in low, there may be another round of negotiation.

Meanwhile, the buyer’s mortgage goes through final underwriting.

Step 10: Closing Day

Once everything is approved, you’ll head to the closing table (sometimes virtually) to sign documents, transfer ownership, and receive your sale proceeds.

Before closing, you’ll also:

• Move out of the property

• Leave it in broom-swept condition

• Possibly do a final walk-through with the buyer

Then congratulations (!!!) your home is officially sold.

Thinking About Selling Your Home in New Jersey?

At The Jill Biggs Group, we make the process seamless and successful. Whether you're in Hoboken, Jersey City, Union City, or anywhere in Northern NJ, we’ll walk you through every step—with the right strategy, pricing, and marketing to get you the best results.

Call or text Jill at 973-495-6038

Or get your free home value estimate.

The Jill Biggs Group is the #1 real estate team in Hudson County, with nearly $2 billion in sales. We specialize in helping sellers succeed in today’s fast-moving New Jersey real estate market.