6 Steps to Selling a House
6 Steps to Selling a Home
1. Research
Research home prices in your area to get a general idea about what your home is worth. Zillow.com is a popular site that shows you recent sales near your home. Bear in mind that prices may vary drastically from one area to another, even within a neighborhood or subdivision, and you may not be able to see differences like upgrades, size, and floorplans from this type of data. This is where a real estate agent can help. Ask your friends and family for a referral or find an agent who specializes in your area. This is also the best time to research your agent. Check with the Department of Real Estate and the local REALTOR® association to see if any complaints have been filed against him or her (click here to check my record with ADRE). Then set an appointment to discuss thecurrent value of your home and marketing strategy. Ask plenty of questions about the agent and how they plan to help you sell your home, including what services they offer, what marketing they will use, and how long to expect the process of selling your home to take. View my qualifications or Contact me for a free consultation.
2. Clean & Repair
Clean your home from top to bottom, left to right and everything in between. Also, spend a little time and effort doing small, but often neglected, repairs. Your home needs to show like a model home to command market price and sell quickly. Ask your agent for recommendations on small items, like paint and flooring, that will help you sell your home more quickly and possibly for more money. If you are selling, I offer a suggested list of improvements to help you gain a higher selling price.
3. Showtime!
Your listing will receive the most activity the first six weeks that it is on the market, so it is important to price it right and make sure it shows well from day 1. The easier it is for buyers to arrange a viewing, the more showings you are likely to receive. Make sure to tidy up every morning before you leave. Remember, buyers aren’t paying thousands of dollars for soggy cereal in the sink.
4. The Offer
When you receive an offer, your agent will help you examine it for conditions like price, closing date, contingencies, etc. Depending on the terms, you may wish to accept it as it is, reject it, or counter the buyer’s offer. Your agent’s expertise in negotiations can help you decide
what action to take to help you get the best price and terms. Your agent will also help you ensure that all purchase contract documents and addenda are complete and accurate.
5. Inspections
The buyer will have an opportunity to conduct home inspections to make sure your home is in good condition. Don’t be surprised if there are items that you were not aware of. Home inspectors are trained to carefully examine and test all the major systems of a home for health, safety and function. The buyer will also likely ask for some repairs. Consult with your agent to determine how to handle the buyer’s request.
6. Moving Day
After repairs have been done, documents signed and the buyer’s loan is funded, your home will be transferred to the new buyer and you can move on to the next stage of your life!
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If you still have questions about the home selling process, contact me.
