Selling a home is a major process that can cause emotional and physical upheaval in anyone’s life. If you have made the decision to sell, you should be prepared for what lies ahead. Use this guide to help you navigate a path forward to a seamless move.
Interview Realtors
Even if you are considering trying to sell on your own, speaking with a realtor and getting a feel for your prospects is still a good idea. However, be careful not to settle for the first person you call or even the person who helped you buy your current home. Instead, talk to several agents from different offices to find someone you are compatible with and who understands how you want to proceed. This will save you a ton of aggravation later on.
Ask each realtor you speak with to provide a market analysis and comparable sales report. It’s also a good idea to ask for opinions, such as what you can do to improve your chances of getting a full-price offer and how long nearby listings are on the market before going to contract.
Make Sure You Understand the Process
The home selling process involves numerous steps, and you must understand each. Start by talking to your realtor and asking her to explain each step. Then, take notes and keep them handy to refer back to while your home is listed. Finally, if you have any questions, such as “What is the purchase agreement?”, at any time during the process, you need to speak up.
Work To Stage Your Home
It’s usually best to get your home ready for sale well before you actually list it. Of course, this means different things for everyone, but an excellent place to start is by getting rid of the clutter that has built up during your time there.
Go from room to room and start packing up things you won’t use until after your move. Toss out or donate anything you haven’t used in a while and probably won’t again. Not only will this make your house look neater to potential buyers, but it also means that there is much less stuff you’ll have to pack come moving time.
From there, tackle small maintenance tasks you may have been putting off. Things like squeaky hinges or missing cabinet knobs can be a huge turnoff to buyers, and they only take a few minutes to fix. You might also consider a fresh coat of paint, especially if your home has a unique and vibrant color scheme.
Don’t Take Comments Personally
House shopping is also stressful, and sometimes potential buyers make comments that can come off as hurtful. In reality, they are probably just expressing their thoughts about how a home will or won’t work for their family. However, those comments can still hurt. Try really hard not to take these things personally so that it doesn’t cloud your judgment when offers start coming in.
This is so important that it is often best to take a short vacation when the house first hits the market. Go away for a long weekend and leave things to your realtor. She can filter any comments so they are less harsh and more aligned with what buyers meant.
Know What Offers You Can and Cannot Accept
Regardless of how many (or few) offers you receive, it is essential to know what you can and cannot do regarding the sale. For example, maybe you need a closing t is at least two months out, or you want to sell without making any repairs. Be clear about these boundaries and stick to them when reviewing offers. Remember that the best offer might not be the highest-priced one; instead, it could be the one with the least strings attached or the quickest turnaround time.
If you go into the home selling process with knowledge and planning, it will go more smoothly. Start by talking to several realtors, then be sure you understand the entire process, and finally, be realistic about what offers you can and cannot accept.
