7 Things the Black Community Needs to Know Before Selling a Home in 2025
Selling a home as a Black homeowner in 2025 is not just business. It is personal. I am on this journey too, learning what it really takes to protect Black wealth, navigate this wild market, and make sure we do not leave money, or legacy, on the table.
Let’s talk about the real, unfiltered truths.
1. Black-Owned Homes Are Still Being Undervalued, Right Now
This is not some history lesson. It is still happening. According to the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), in 2023, homes in Black neighborhoods were valued at nearly 30 percent less than similar homes in White neighborhoods.
Median appraisal for Black neighborhoods: $299,572
Median appraisal for White neighborhoods: $430,915
That is the kind of gap that holds us back from building the wealth we deserve. I am learning right along with you how deep this issue runs and how to fight it when it shows up at the closing table.
2. Who Represents You Matters, More Than You Think
Representation is not optional. It is essential. You need someone who understands both the math and the mission, someone who knows the numbers but also knows the neighborhood.
I have been studying this heavy lately, realizing how many Black sellers go underrepresented or misrepresented. When you choose an agent, do not just ask about sales volume. Ask if they are ready to protect your equity and your story.
3. Your Equity is Bigger Than Just the Check
Most Black families are not just selling a house. They are selling one of the only major assets they have. Equity is often our biggest source of wealth.
Before you list, slow down. Ask yourself:
Does selling serve you today or serve your family long-term?
Could you rent, pass it down, or leverage it differently?
I have been soaking up all the information I can on this because I do not just want us to sell homes. I want us to keep wealth. (Source: Urban Institute, 2023)
4. You Have Leverage Right Now, Even if it Does Not Feel Like It
Yes, mortgage rates are bouncing between 6 percent and 7 percent. Inventory is tight, and buyers are still out here looking. You have more power than you think, especially if your home is staged well, marketed well, and yes, scented just right.
5. Set the Vibe, Set the Value
Let me be plain.
Buyers feel your home before they ever process the price.
When you stage with intention, when you scent with purpose, you are creating an experience. A house that smells like Crimson Bourbon? Buyers do not forget that. They relax in it. They want it. This is not fluff. It is strategy. Scent triggers emotion. Emotion triggers offers.
6. Watch Out for Predatory Investors
Predatory investors love to target Black homeowners, especially elders or families feeling financial pressure.
If you are getting lowball cash offers left and right, do not panic. Get educated. Fast money often comes at the expense of thousands you could have had. Protect yourself and your neighborhood from these vultures.
7. This is More Than a Sale. It is Your Story
Whether you are selling the family home, downsizing, or making your next move, this is part of your story. It is not just a transaction.
The system might undervalue your property, but you do not have to. Protect your equity. Protect your legacy. Protect the block.
And if you need help creating the kind of atmosphere that makes buyers fall in love at the door? That is what I am here for, on both sides of the deal.
Sherries' Note
I am not here to give you some watered-down, HGTV version of the truth. I am here to make sure you sell smart, not desperate. And when you need help with the vibe? I got you. I scent and sell homes, for real.
When you are ready, text me. Let us protect what is yours.
Citations:
NAREB (2023)
https://www.nareb.com/site-files/uploads/2024/10/Home-Appraisals-in-Black-and-White_Final_10.21.24.pdf
Urban Institute (2023)
https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/black-housing-wealth-varies-across-local-markets-despite-recent-improvement-black
