Once you decide to sell your home, it’s time to start planning how you’re going to move forward. Preparation is the key to avoiding unnecessary time delays and expenses during the home selling process. If you’re unsure of how to begin, check out these six steps to selling a house.
Step 1 – Real Estate Agent
The experience and skill of a real estate agent prove to be invaluable when it’s time to sell your home. Your first step is to find a reliable real estate agent who can represent you well. Selling your home for the most money possible is your goal, and a good real estate agent can make that happen for you. Find one who understands your communication needs, is an expert in your local area, and has an active sales record. Set up a time to conduct a thorough interview. Come prepared with questions about their experience, recent sales, and marketing strategies.
Step 2 – Show Ready
You want your home to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Repair items that require attention and remove any worn-down furniture. Declutter and organize your cabinets, pantries, and closets. Any personal items, photographs, and collector’s items you have should be packed up and stored away while your home is on the market. Potential buyers want to envision their items filling the space. Removing distracting pieces and repainting loud colors will make it easy for them. Not only should it be free of distraction, but your home should stay spotlessly clean during the duration of your listing. Keeping things neat and tidy is a challenge when you have a busy household. Set aside time each day to pick-up toys and other items. Make this a fun game for any children in your household.
Step 3 – Asking Price
Ideally, you want to bring in the most return on the investment you made when you purchased the home. You will go over the pros and cons of various pricing strategies with your agent before choosing what to set as your asking price. What a buyer is willing to pay for your home may not match what you feel your home is worth, so take the wisdom of your agent to heart to get the most out of the transaction.
Step 4 – Marketing
Your real estate agent has a plan to make sure as many potential buyers as possible see your home’s listing. There will be other homes on the market in competition with your property. Excellent photographs, several open houses, and aggressive marketing are all tactics that will set your home apart from the rest.
Step 5 – Inspections and Contracts
Once your real estate agent receives an offer from a buyer, it’s time to decide whether you wish to accept the terms of the purchase. If all is well and you’re happy with the money offered and the fine print, you’ll sign a contractual agreement between you and the buyer agreeing to the sale terms. After the contract is signed, the mortgage lender will order several inspections and an appraisal of the property. If no problems arise, you’ll be ready to move ahead to closing. If an issue appears, don’t worry, your agent will be there to guide you through any renegotiation that is needed.
Step 6 – Closing Time
The closing day has arrived, and that means you’re almost done! You’ll sign your final pieces of paperwork, and you pay any agreed upon fees. Hand over the keys to your former property and celebrate a successful transaction!
Your real estate agent is the best source of information about the local community and real estate topics. Give Rachael Hughel a call today at 818-397-8177 to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale.
