SELLING WITH LYDIA
Listing your house with Lydia is hands-on and tailored to suit your needs.
Putting a price sticker on something as personal as a home can feel overwhelming, but Lydia tailors her strategies specifically to meet each client’s needs and wishes to drive the best decisions. She takes time to map out the right marketing plan for the right audience and right neighborhood.
The results of this bespoke approach speak for themselves:
“Lydia is phenomenal. She has incredible contacts in the business that helped us find the right contractors, numerous potential buyers and established a strong marketing presence. She is honest, transparent and sensitive to the needs and emotions of the seller. Her incredible efforts got the house sold in less than 1 day! I can't recommend her enough!”
— J.M. & A.R.“Lydia Benson is in a class by herself. She came to me with a strategy and a plan for listing my home and flawlessly executed with huge success. Throughout the entire experience Lydia kept me informed of the progress and took on all the work so that I could focus on my cross-country move. Lydia is a warm and compassionate person and makes it her mission to deliver the best results possible. If you are looking for a Realtor that understands the market and will negotiate the best deal for her client, then you won’t find any better than Lydia Benson. My favorite Realtor on the planet!”
— M.U.“Lydia Benson was simply the best realtor we could have chosen to help us sell our home. Lydia was extremely knowledgeable about the market and we felt confident in all her advice. She was so patient with us and played part “therapist” as we went through the emotional process of leaving a home we had lived in for over 30 years. We were very pleased with the price we got for our home and there is now a wonderful family living in it. Thank you so much, Lydia!”
— M. & M.S.Lydia will provide her expertise alongside her detailed Selling Guide. She will thoroughly explain the most commonly asked questions of the listing process, including:
How competitive market analyses work
How home prices are set
The ins and outs of market timing
The potential risks of overpricing a property
Whether to leave negotiating room
How to best prepare your house for sale
What it’s like to work with developers
What targeted, personal marketing strategies to use for your home
If need be, she will pull in outside expertise to ensure maximum return and efficiency.
Throughout, her goal is to make you feel empowered – she is your true partner in this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Pricing your home correctly is one of the most important steps in the selling process. Most sellers work with a real estate agent to obtain a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which reviews recent sales of similar homes nearby to help estimate a fair market value. Online home value tools (like Zillow or Redfin estimates) can give ballpark figures, but they’re often inaccurate without local context. You might also consider hiring a professional appraiser for a more precise valuation.
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There isn’t a universal “best” time that applies everywhere, but spring and early summer often see the most buyer activity because families want to move before a new school year. However, local market conditions and your timeline also matter — for example, lower inventory in fall or winter may reduce competition. Check trends in your specific area with your agent.
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Preparation helps your home show well and may increase offers. Common steps include:
Decluttering and deep cleaning,
Neutralizing strong smells,
Touching up paint and minor repairs,
Improving curb appeal (landscaping, entryway),
Staging key rooms (living room, bedrooms, kitchen) to help buyers visualize living there.
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Yes — in most states, sellers must disclose known material defects that could affect value or safety, such as structural issues, water damage, mold, or electrical problems. Far from harming a sale, honest disclosure builds trust and helps avoid disputes later in the process.
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Closing costs on the sale side typically include agent commissions, title insurance, escrow fees, prorated taxes, and any repairs negotiated after inspection. Total seller closing costs often range from about 6% to 10% of the sale price, depending on your market and contract terms. Sellers don’t always cover every fee — for example, buyers usually pay their lender-related costs — but negotiations can shift responsibilities.
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Time on market depends on price, condition, location, and current demand. Well-priced, well-marketed homes often sell faster — sometimes in days to a few weeks. Your agent can use local MLS data to give you an accurate timeline for your area.
CONTACT LYDIA
PHONE
ADDRESS
DOWNTOWN DC — 1515 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
GEORGETOWN — 1206 30th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
CHEVY CHASE DC — 5100 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
BETHESDA — 4809 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
ARLINGTON — 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201