Home Selling Guide
Preparing Your Home for Sale
Clean and Declutter
Clean every room thoroughly, including carpets, windows, and appliances. Remove excess furniture, personal items, and any clutter to make your home appear more spacious. Take down personal photos and items so buyers can envision themselves living in the space.
Repairs and Upgrades
Repair leaky faucets, broken tiles, and any other minor problems. Invest in small upgrades like new light fixtures, fresh paint, or modern hardware to increase appeal.
Curb Appeal
Trim bushes, mow the lawn, and add some flowers or plants to enhance the exterior. Clean the exterior of the house, including the driveway and any porches or decks.
Pricing Your Home with Market Research
This is where your agent’s experience shines. A professional Realtor can help guide you through the process and provide valuable market insights. They will prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) by looking at recent sales of comparable homes in your area and help you determine a range of pricing that is appropriate for the immediate market.
The report they provide you with will show photos and give details concerning each property that is used as a comparative for your pricing. The fair market price is determined by many factors. Consider whether it is a buyer’s or seller’s market, how quickly you need to sell and how this might affect your pricing.
The market can be unpredictable, you and your agent will discuss your strategy often and adjust if needed. If you have an unusual property, you may want to hire an Appraiser. Vacant land or properties that do not fit the standard in your area may be hard to price without a professional appraisal to determine an accurate value of the property.
Listing Your Home
Your Realtor will ensure your home is listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for maximum exposure. They will post the listing on popular real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia. It is imperative to have quality photos and descriptions which your agent can provide. Many agents will hire a professional photographer to take magazine-quality photos. Your agent will write a compelling description highlighting key features and amenities. They will emphasize hot topics which are currently driving Buyers to make offers. An agent will keep you up to date with market trends and local real estate news to help you make informed decisions.
Open Houses and Showings
Consider staging your home to make it more attractive. Your agent can schedule open houses to allow multiple potential buyers to view your home and provide feedback. Be flexible with scheduling private showings for interested buyers. Keep your house ready for showings at any time.
Negotiating Offers and Repairs
Your agent will help you evaluate each offer. While the price is important it is not the only factor in consideration. The buyer’s financial situation, contingencies, and closing timeline all affect your bottom line. Your agent will prepare counter offers to get the best deal.
Having an experienced agent will help you to stay calm and professional. Keeping emotions out of negotiations is imperative. You may want to share your bottom line with your agent. Be clear on the minimum price and terms you are willing to accept.
Be prepared for the Buyer to request a home inspection and no home is perfect. After the Buyer reviews the inspection reports, they will ask for repairs. Your agent will help negotiate the cost and suggest licensed vendors to make repairs.
The Buyer’s lender will require an appraisal to confirm the home’s value. Your agent will typically provide access and meet with the appraiser to answer questions.
Closing the Sale
Hire a closing agent. Your agent can suggest an attorney or title company to prepare the legal paperwork and ensure everything is in order. They can help you to understand the closing costs involved, including agent commissions, taxes, and fees. The closing agent will assist in completing all necessary paperwork, including the deed transfer.
You should arrange your move and ensure the home is clean and empty by the closing date. Do not forget to provide a change of address for the postal service, banks, and other important contacts. Keep copies of all documents related to the sale for your records.
Hiring Traditions Realty will provide you with a seasoned partner to navigate the home selling process smoothly and successfully. Contact us today to set an appointment.
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