Home Sellers Quick Guide
- Research the Best Time to Sell – In the current market, the time is now!
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- Make Repairs – Repairing anything that needs some fixing or whatever seems problematic, will definitely speed up the selling process of your home. Keep receipts for proof of work done.
- Find a Real Estate Agent – you want an agent that has experience working in the area you live in, with a proven track record, and someone who can offer feedback through every step of the process.
- Pricing Your Home – 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.
- Putting Your Home on the Market – Discuss with your real agent their marketing plan they believe will work best for your home. They should, at the very least, utilize the Multiple Listing System (MLS), real estate websites, social media, reach out to other agents, use yard signs if permissible, advertise in print media and have a virtual tour available for example.
- Prepare 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, go through each room and clean up clutter. Allow your buyers to imagine themselves living in your house by putting away any personal items.
- How to Handle Offers – 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 with your agents help. For a successful negotiation: disclose everything, ask many questions, meet halfway on costs when possible and keep in mind your “why” for selling.
- The Closing – This can take a month or longer depending on they property. Be ready to cooperate with a Title Company, Escrow Officer, Inspectors and Appraisers. 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 make 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.