How to Sell Your House in Cottleville, MO: A Complete Guide

Are you looking to sell your house in Cottleville, MO? Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to make the transition smooth and successful.

The Cottleville market is showing signs of balancing out but remains competitive. Sales are up, but prices have decreased from the previous year, showing strong demand.

We’ll explore how to prepare your home and give it the edge to compete in the Cottleville housing market.

What Buyers In Cottleville Are Looking For

Understanding what buyers are looking for when they turn to Cottleville for their new home will help you effectively list, market, and prepare your home to stand out from others in the area.

Cottleville is smaller than other towns in St. Charles County, which will appeal to people looking for a suburban home with a small community feel. 

Access to Amenities

Convenience is a great selling point. Highlighting access to shopping, restaurants, parks, and other surrounding areas can significantly enhance the appeal of your home to potential buyers.

Here are some Cottleville features to showcase:

• Old Town Cottleville
• Mid Rivers Mall
• Old Hickory Golf Club

Small Town Charm

Old Town Cottleville, in particular, is a hot spot buyers love to be near. Be sure to highlight local favorites when talking about Old Town:

• Frankie Martin’s Garden
• Public School House
• Cookies & Cream
• Pink Willow
• Bemo’s

Related Article: Best Things to Do in Old Town Cottleville

Living near a big park can add value to your home. Mention any major nearby parks, especially if you have a park view.

• Legacy Park
• Hansen Park
• Scott A Lewis Park
• College Meadows Park

Golf Cart Community

One of the unique things about Cottleville that buyers love is driving golf carts.

Not everyone knows Cottleville is golf cart friendly, so highlight this when marketing your home to buyers. 

Access to Highways

People who choose the suburbs like having convenient access to city hubs in nearby areas like Saint Charles, Creve Coeur, University City, St. Louis City, Webster Groves, Maryland Heights, and St. Peters.

When presenting your home for sale, emphasizing easy highway access to nearby areas can be a strong selling point. 

Help buyers get a sense of how close your home is to:

• Highway 364
• Highway K
• I-64/40

Neighborhood Amenities

Don’t forget about the neighborhood amenities! 

In competitive markets, every little thing helps. A nearby playground or pool access can be the deciding factor when choosing between two similar homes.

• Pool access
• Playgrounds
• Sports courts or fields
• Dog Parks
• Walkability
• Fitness center

Related Article: Best Neighborhoods in Cottleville, MO

Great Schools

Families will choose an area based on the quality of the schools, so you should highlight Cottleville’s excellent schools.

The 2024 U.S. News and World Report Best High School Rankings list the Francis Howell School District among the Best High Schools in Missouri. 

In addition, the FHS district has received numerous awards and achievements in academics, arts, and teaching.

Getting Your Home Ready To Sell in Cottleville, MO

Should you make repairs?

Depending on your situation, you should first ask whether you should make repairs before selling. 

Repairs require time and money; if you need to sell your house fast, selling it as-is could be a good option. 

Be aware that not making repairs will typically reduce the sale price of your home, and there’s no guarantee it will sell quickly. 

There are cash home buyers who promise to buy your house fast for cash with no obligation; make sure who you’re dealing with is reputable.

If you want to get the most out of your home, you’ll want to consider making repairs.

Major Repairs

You need major repairs to make your house functional and safe. These repairs are usually necessary before closing on the house and will most definitely show up during the inspection. 

Common major repairs:

Foundation Issues: These can be cracks or sloping floors and can seriously affect the structural integrity of your home. 

Roof Problems: Unless your roof is completely falling apart, you may not need to replace it. Make sure there are no leaks or missing shingles. 

HVAC: If your system isn’t working or running efficiently, have a technician inspect it before considering a replacement. A new HVAC system is expensive and may not be necessary. However, if it’s an older system and beyond reasonable repair, you might consider replacing it and highlighting the new HVAC as a selling point.

Water damage: Water damage can cause walls to crumble and lead to mold growth. If there is any water damage, make sure it’s repaired before putting your house on the market and address the source of the damage.

Electrical: This can range from a quick fix to updating the whole house. Fortunately, most homes in Cottleville are newer, with some from the 1990s, so you likely won’t need to worry about an update. Do make sure outlets and light switches work.

Related Article: Things to Fix Before Selling Your House

Minor Repairs

Minor repairs aren’t as critical, and some are purely cosmetic. Many minor repairs can be done with a few tools and basic knowledge. Taking care of these small details can give you a competitive edge in the market and help you get more from your home sale.  

Common minor repairs:

Faucets: They should be leak-free and working properly. 

Walls and ceilings: Check for scratches, dents, holes, or chipped paint.

Drawers, doors, and windows: Any drawers, doors, or windows should open and close smoothly. Check for broken seals on doors and windows.

Carpet: Replace any threadbare or stained carpet.

Aesthetic Fixes with Big Results

Making these cosmetic improvements can help you sell your home faster. The number one rule when preparing your home is to help the buyer envision themselves in it, which can be difficult with too many personal touches.

Declutter: Remove personal items, such as photos, memorabilia, and personalized items. Consider getting a storage unit to store any excess furniture or large personal items. 

Paint: Use light, neutral colors inside your home. It makes everything feel fresh, clean, and more open. Try to use the same color in every room. Make sure the color blends in with your neighborhood’s aesthetic for the outside of your home. 

Landscaping: Curb appeal is important. Make sure your lawn is mowed, bushes are trimmed, and dead plants are removed. Adding fresh mulch is an easy way to freshen up your lawn. 

Cleaning: Every surface should be wiped down, and floors should be cleaned. Don’t forget about the windows, mirrors, vents, and light fixtures. If you are short on time, hire a professional cleaner. 

Listing Your Cottleville, MO House

Being upfront about any known past or present issues is not only a legal requirement when listing your home; it also helps build trust with potential buyers. 

Let’s look at what you need before listing your home in Cottleville.

Seller’s Disclosure Statement: This is pretty standard and gives you the chance to list any known problems or issues with the house. It helps the buyer understand the condition of the home before making a purchase.

Missouri has a few specific disclosures to note when listing your home. 

Flood Zones: You must disclose if “any portion of the Property is located within a flood hazard area.”

Dardenne Creek has flooded Cottleville before.  If you’re unsure if your property is in a floodplain, you can enter your property address into FEMA’s interactive map to find out.

There’s a bit of a learning curve when looking at these maps. Here’s a guide that shows you how to read them. The thing buyers will be most interested in is if they have to carry flood insurance.

Lead-Based Paint:  Federal law requires homes built before 1978 to disclose lead-based paint to possible buyers.

Most of the homes in Cottleville are from the 1990s or newer, so it shouldn’t be an issue.

But if you own an older home in the area, you’ll need to check that box. The good news is home buyers looking at older, historic homes are usually aware that they will be dealing with lead paint.

Cottleville Fire/Occupancy Inspection: 

• The City of Cottleville requires an occupancy inspection and permit if you’re selling a residential structure. It doesn’t cost anything, you just need to schedule with the city inspector at 636-498-6565.
• The Cottleville Fire Department only requires commercial properties to have occupancy inspections performed. 
• St. Charles County only asks for an occupancy inspection if the structure was previously deemed ‘uninhabitable’ by St. Charles County.

HOA: If your home is part of an HOA, you will want to mention that in the listing, along with any associated fees. Also, make sure your home follows any rules and regulations put forth by the HOA. 

Marketing Your Home in Cottleville, MO

Now it’s time to brag about your home and everything that makes it a great place to live!

It’s also good to be aware of anything that might make it less appealing and be able to navigate that if asked.

Now’s the time to discuss any amenities your HOA may include. 

• Is there pool access? 
• A fitness center? 
• Does it take care of any landscaping needs? 
• Talk about the perks of your HOA.

Stay informed about any new developments near your neighborhood. While new construction can boost the local economy, it can also lead to increased traffic and a higher population.

Related Article: New Homes in Cottleville

If someone likes your home because of its quiet location, they’ll want to know if that might change. 

Don’t worry—if your home is properly staged and marketed, the right buyer will come along. You don’t need to sell to everyone, just the right one!

Highlight what the new developments bring to the area, but be upfront if potential buyers ask about things that may seem unfavorable.

They’ll likely figure it out on their own anyway, and honesty builds trust.

Related Article: Your Guide to Living in Cottleville

The Cottleville Real Estate Market in 2024

Overall, the Cottleville market for single-family homes is very active, with an increase in listings and sales. 

However, despite the high demand, prices have decreased, likely because buyers have more to choose from. 

Home sellers should be prepared for strong competition and consider a strategy that makes their house stand out in this competitive market.

For Townhouses and Condos, we see a different trend with demand driving prices up and reducing inventory. Sellers can expect quicker sales and a good price. 

How Should You Sell Your Cottleville Home?

There are a few options when selling your Cottleville home.

Answering a couple of questions can help you decide which option is best for you.

• What is your timeframe? How quickly do you need to sell?
• How much time do you have to dedicate to selling your home?
• How many resources do you have to dedicate to selling your home?

If you need to sell fast and don’t have much in the way of time and resources, selling as-is could be a good option for you. 

You won’t get as much as you would in a traditional sale, but you don’t have to dedicate time and money to repairs. There are also investors who will pay cash for as-is properties.

If you have some experience and a lot of time to dedicate to selling your Cottleville home, you could consider going for sale by owner (FSBO, pronounced “Fizz-bow”). 

It will save you on commissions, but you still may be on the hook for the buyer’s realtor commission, and you will be responsible for all of the scheduling, open house, marketing, and listing. 

Listing with an agent can save you a lot of headaches. We bring expertise and help guide you in the best way to prepare your house to sell and assist you all the way to the closing date. 

Listing agents are typically paid a fee of 2.5% to 3% of the sale of the house, which is completely negotiable.

With an Agent

As real estate agents, it’s our job to help you get the most out of your sale. 

The time, work, and expertise we bring to the table might be worth the fee. Especially in a competitive market like Cottleville. 

Tips for finding a realtor:

• Look for a realtor with experience in your housing market.
• Look at how many sales they have and how many years of experience.
• Look at their listings to see how they market homes in the area. 
• Ask for recommendations from neighbors or friends.  

Related Article: Questions to Ask Every Realtor When Selling

A real estate agent will help guide you and give you direction on staging your home, getting professional photos for the listing, marketing, scheduling viewings, doing the open house, handling negotiations, and assisting with final details at the closing date. 

Working with an agent is a great way to go if you want the best chance at getting the most out of your sale. 

For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

If you have experience with the selling process, are a very organized person, and have some time on your hands, you may want to sell the property yourself without an agent. This will save you on the seller’s commission fees, but you may still be on the hook for the buyer’s realtor fees. 

You will also need to list and market the home yourself, handle the open house and viewings, and navigate the closing. You’ll need to remove yourself emotionally. Listening to people critique the home you worked hard to make your own can sometimes be difficult. 

If you decide to go this route, here are some tips for selling your home:

• Get professional photos: People shop online first these days, and taking stunning photos of a home is a specific skill that requires know-how and special equipment.
• Declutter, clean, and paint: People like to see themselves in the space, so you’ll want to remove any personal items. Cleaning and painting will make your home feel more inviting. 
• Curb Appeal: The outside of your home is the first thing people see and having a well-manicured lawn and welcoming doorway goes a long way. Consider getting a welcome mat if you don’t have one already. Also, adding a couple of potted flowers to add color will add to the aesthetic. Make sure to keep a couple on hand in case any of the plants wilt. 

As-Is

If you need to sell your home fast, selling as-is can save you the time and money it takes to get your house ready to sell. However, selling as-is doesn’t guarantee a fast sale, and as-is homes typically sell for less. But you won’t have to do repairs, and you’ll save on some of the closing costs. 

Someone might decide to sell as-is if they have an unwanted property or inherited property.

You can also sell as-is to a cash home buyer. These are typically real estate investors who buy houses and flip them to sell at a higher cost or rent out and there are no commissions on the sale.

You’ve likely seen ads advertising:

• “We Buy Houses”
• “House Fast For Cash”
• “Sell My House Fast” 
• “Sell My Ugly House” 

These companies often promise fast cash and no-obligation cash offers. While there are reputable cash-buying companies and individuals out there, there are also plenty of scams. 

Do your research and make sure you know what the cash buyer is offering and how the process works before signing anything away to ensure a fair cash offer.