Selling your home can be a big decision. But it can also be an exciting time.
If you’ve recently moved to a new city, are planning a retirement or want a larger home for your growing family, you may decide to sell your current house.
However, you should carefully consider all your options before making a final decision. You need to weigh the costs, equity in your home and the local market before deciding whether it’s the right time for you to sell.
1. Do Your Research
Doing your research is one of the most important parts of selling your home. It can help you get top dollar for your home, avoid common mistakes and make the process easier.
Start by researching local market trends and finding a seasoned real estate agent to help you with your sale. The right agent can guide you through the entire process and give you expert price guidance.
You should also look at what similar homes in your neighborhood have sold for. This can be done with a search on Trulia for homes that are nearby and in your price range.
2. Hire an Agent
If you want to sell your home, hiring an agent is one of the most important things you can do. An agent can help you sell your home quickly, and for the best price possible.
They can also help you avoid costly mistakes and get the most out of your sale.
You can find a good agent by asking for referrals or doing your research online. Zillow suggests interviewing at least three agents before you decide who to hire.
You should also be sure to talk with your agent on the phone before you meet in person. This will give you an idea of how well they understand your home and the neighborhood it’s in. It will also allow them to compare your home to similar homes that have recently sold in your area.
3. Prepare Your Home
Getting your home ready to sell is an important part of the process. It can take some time and effort, but it’s a necessary step to ensure you get the best price for your home.
A potential buyer’s first impression of your home is crucial, so make sure your house looks its absolute best at all times. This means a thorough cleaning, including toilets, floors and rugs. It also means sprucing up the exterior of your home.
4. List Your Home
If you’re going to sell your home, you need to get it on the market. That’s where your agent comes in.
They will take photos, write a listing description and list it on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) so that it can be seen by buyers.
The right agent will make sure that your home gets the most exposure possible and attracts the highest possible price for it. That means lots of gorgeous photos, creative listing descriptions and strategic social media marketing.
5. Get Ready for Showings
Showings are one of the most important parts of selling your home. Not only do they give you the opportunity to make a good impression on buyers, but they can also help encourage multiple offers.
But if you don’t do your part, these showings can quickly become a frustrating and time-consuming ordeal. Here are some things you can do to get ready for showings that will help your home sell quickly and easily.
Keep your home clean and tidy for all of your showings! This can be a lot of work, but it’s essential to attracting potential buyers.
6. Wait for Offers
Waiting for offers is a standard part of the home buying process. It’s a time when both parties are nervous and excited.
The best way to handle this is to keep patience. It may take a few days for the seller to think about your offer.
You should also make sure that your first offer is not too low. This is because most sellers won’t acknowledge an offer that is less than 10% of the market value.
7. Close the Sale
Closing is the final step of the home selling process. At closing, your real estate agent or attorney will help you sign a lot of paperwork and transfer the deed to the buyer.
It’s a good idea to attend the closing if you can. Depending on the state, your real estate agent or attorney may require you to be present.
This is also the time to look over everything one last time. Make sure you don’t leave anything behind that the buyer doesn’t want.
