Research the Best Time to Sell

Figuring out the right time to sell can help you make the process a lot easier and help you get the most of your sale price. Ideally, the best time to sell is in the Spring through Summer. However, there are many other factors that should come into play such as the local market in your area, tax incentives, and personally how ready you are. Doing in-depth research can help you specifically lay out a plan for the selling of your home.

PREPARE TO SELL

REPAIR ANYTHING THAT NEEDS FIXING

REPAIRS

Once you have decided that, repairing anything that needs some fixing can make your home feel ready to buy. Some quick repairs can be done by you like putting on a fresh coat of paint, fixing up the lawn, replacing any lighting, etc. Other problems can be done by a home professional such as plumbing, roof repairs, and water damage. Whatever seems problematic, make sure it gets taken because it will definitely speed up the selling process of your home.

PRICING

COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS

PRICING YOUR CURRENT HOME

Pricing your home takes some serious decision making because you need to find a balance. Pricing it too high can end up making your home sit on the market for too long and pricing it too low can make you miss out on a more profitable outcome. A comparative market analysis is a document that presents pricing information for homes similar to yours. Your real estate agent can provide you this and give their feedback on it. It will be helpful to know what has worked price wise in your area and what hasn’t. Take note that it’s important to have some room for negotiation within your selling price because most buyers would want to do some dealing. Again, your real estate agent can help with figuring out the amount.

LISTING YOUR HOME

Attracting as many buyers as you can.

Putting Your Home on the Market

You want to attract as many buyers as you can when putting your home on the market. Buyers usually get listings through the internet, social media, and other real estate agents. Other sources include yard signs, newspapers, and television. The internet has helped real estate marketing tremendously. When looking online, buyers mainly want to see property photos, detailed information on the property, real estate information, virtual tours of the home, and neighborhood information. Market your community as well as your home. Many buyers look at the neighborhood for their number one reason for moving into a home. Highlight your community’s amenities like school systems, parks, and attractions. Your real agents are skilled at presenting the relationship between the two so ask for their help. That being said, using multiple advertising choices can maximize exposure such as using a multiple listing system, real estate websites, and networking in the local community.

SHOWINGS

MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK ITS BEST

Preparing Your Home for Showings

You want your home to look its best when buyers are looking at it. In order for it to be in top condition, start by each room and cleaning up clutter. Allow your buyers to imagine themselves living in your house by putting away any personal items. When you’re putting away personal things make sure to store them in a place where buyers can’t see them. For example, closet spaces are not ideal since buyers will see them. Try putting them in a storage facility, a friends place, or even someplace in your basement. Boost your curb appeal by cleaning up on the exterior of your home. For example, check your front lawn landscaping, mailbox and doorknobs, and driveways. Make sure everything is in top shape. Some other tips before showing your home are opening the doors and windows to circulate air, vacuuming carpeted and pet areas should also be cleaned up.

HOW TO HANDLE A SHOWING

When a buyer makes an offer on your home, they will use a contract to offer up their sale price and any other terms of purchase. You can either accept, reject, or counter the offer that will then lead to negotiation. Successive counter offers will take place until you and the buyer reach a satisfactory agreement. For a successful negotiation: disclose everything, ask many questions, meet halfway on costs, and use your real estate agent for help because they know what’s best.

THE CLOSING PROCESS

WHERE OWNERSHIP IS TRANSFERRED

CLOSING

Common contingencies will take before actually closing the deal. For example, taking care of the title search and insurance, home inspections, and appraisals. A closing agent will finalize the transaction and review the sales agreement. He or she will also collect any last payments from the seller and buyer, will do any adjustments, and makes sure the buyer’s title is recorded in the local records. After this, congrats! You’ve sold your home successfully!

MOVING OUT

Start by getting rid of items that you don’t need by donating and or having a garage sale weeks prior. From there you can see the items that you need and start packing. Get the movers ready and schedule a time for them to be at your home. Separate valuable paperwork and other important things into one box. Do a change of address and forward any medical records if needed. Lastly, walk through your home one last time to see you didn’t forget anything and take inventory of everything you have.