While the average Sioux Falls native might spend more time outdoors than in — at least for the less-frigid part of the year — they take their home buying every bit as seriously as hunting or fishing.

With a population that’s on average four years younger than the rest of the country, that may not come as a huge surprise. Growing families have lots to think about before signing on a house, including the school district, proximity to friends or relatives, the number of bedrooms, and the layout.

The experts we spoke to are calling the city a seller’s market with just a few months of inventory available, which is typical this time of year as they also say the best time to sell a house in Sioux Falls is in the spring, after the thaw. But the trend is far from seasonal.

Not only does Sioux Falls have one of the nation’s most resilient economies (it’s listed among the top-10 most recession-proof cities in America, according to CNBC’s financial site, Make It) but residential construction has nearly doubled in 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019.

Contractors aren’t the only ones taking notice of this demand for housing. Real estate agents have, as well. Does a favorable market make unloading a house effortless? It’s not that simple.

We’ve crunched the numbers and spoken to the best in the biz to find out how to sell a house fast in Sioux Falls, so you can be all settled in to your new digs in no time flat.

Highlight the best features of your Sioux Falls home

Though it may sometimes feel like everyone in Sioux Falls knows one another, the metropolitan area has an impressive 250,000 people and sports an active and growing food scene (wine and coffee, too), top-notch public schools, three universities, and a booming job market.

The city’s core population has grown by 67,000 since the year 2000, with momentum to reach 208,000 people by 2025. This growth does indicate a strong demand for housing, but the rocketing rates of new construction mean that sellers don’t exactly have the market cornered. At an average price of $225,000, single-family homes in the area brush elbows with the national median.

Our favorite local agents point out that most houses in Sioux Falls were built no earlier than the 1970s, and as often as not you’ll find homes built well into the ‘90s and 2000s. Ranch-style homes — with three bedrooms on the main level — and two-story homes may be the most popular options for new construction, with many multi-level or 1.5 story homes built recently, as well.

Homeowners looking to sell can make the most of these trends:

• Empty nesters can shed excess space and take advantage of a strong market by selling to eager families with young children.
• Play up the layout to draw buyers if your home has multiple levels, or multiple bedrooms on the same level. Local experts said that three or more bedrooms on the same level is a particularly hot selling point.
• Likewise, the open layout, with living, dining, and kitchen all located in one open area, is a major local trend. Highlight it if you got it.

Most couples approaching retirement age will choose townhomes, also known as twin homes or villas, which share a wall with their neighbors. Many of these are located in homeowners association (HOA) communities, where the association mows the lawns and shovels the snow for you, among other outdoor maintenance services. This also allows homeowners the freedom to spend a few months in warmer climates over the winter without worry.

Here’s what these trends mean for sellers:

• If you own a townhome in a gated community, accentuate your home’s strengths by ensuring that the outside has been properly maintained. Don’t be afraid to brag about not having to lift a finger.
• Don’t neglect to highlight the perks that come with living in an HOA community — be that pools, parks, social halls, or sporting areas.
• At only about 10% of the housing stock, HOA homes are in high demand, but experts say that this trend can easily shift, and there may be a surplus of such homes 10 or 15 years down the line. If you were thinking about selling, the best time to do so may be sooner rather than later.

Accentuate outdoorsy touches Sioux Falls buyers love 

They say first impressions are everything, and that holds true when selling a house — oftentimes, the first things that potential buyers see can set the tone for the entire showing. According to local agent John Anderson, if you’ve got a three-stall garage, you’re already a step up.

“Out here we like to hunt and fish, we like to have toys. We have boats and quads, so it’s great to have the extra space to store them safely,” Anderson says.

That doesn’t mean that a big garage, or a lack thereof, will make or break a sale. Other hot features named by Anderson include:

• Covered patios If your patio lacks a roof, fear not. There’s an abundance of quick and affordable DIY patio covers in addition to more high-end solutions. Even creative use of tarps or umbrellas can transform a space almost immediately.
• Fenced-in backyardsEven if you hire a pro, fencing in a backyard doesn’t have to break the bank. With a median cost of $2,400, this investment may be worth your while, but it’s a good idea to consult your agent to see if the return is worth the time and cost.
• Fire pits If you don’t have a fire pit, adding one is a no-brainer. They are a huge draw in Sioux Falls, and you don’t have to be a DIY expert to build one. Anyone can do it. Did we mention that materials, such as these concrete pavers available at the local Home Depot, can easily run well below $100?
• Shrubs or bushes If you don’t have these already, run out and grab some to improve your landscaping. It’s relatively cheap. These white hibiscus pillar shrubs are just $21 apiece at Home Depot but go a long way towards beautifying a home’s aesthetic.
• Sparkling clean exteriors Winters in Sioux Falls can be particularly punishing, and folks have a keen eye for a place that’s been kept up well. Power washing a home’s exterior takes years off its age, and local experts like Sioux Falls Pressure Washing can help take the pressure off you to do it yourself.

Prioritize a few key interior upgrades