Selling your home is not as easy as selling cookies, but if you take the time to prepare correctly, it will go much smoother. Whether moving up to a bigger home or downsizing now that the kids are grown, selling your home is likely to be one of the most stressful things you’ll ever do. There is so much to think about and so many potential pitfalls. And as a home seller, it’s normal to feel like you’re in the dark about the whole process.
The good news is we’re here to help shed some light on the situation. This article will share six things you need to do before selling your home. Following these tips can increase your chances of a successful sale and avoid common mistakes.
Get Your Finances in Order
The first step is to get your finances in order. This means getting pre-approved for a mortgage if you’re planning on buying another home and making sure you have enough money saved up for a down payment, closing costs, and any repairs or renovations needed on your new home. It’s also essential to have an emergency fund set aside in case anything unexpected comes up during the selling process. If you’re not planning on buying another home, make sure you have a plan for where you’ll live after you sell, as well as enough money saved up for a down payment on a rental property or moving expenses.
Find a Real Estate Agent
The next step is to find a real estate agent. Look for someone experienced and who has sold homes in your area before. Interview several agents and choose the one you feel most comfortable with and who you think will do the best job marketing your home and representing your interests.
When looking for a real estate agent, it’s also essential to ensure they have a good understanding of the current market conditions in your area. Ask them about recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood and what they think your home is worth.
Get Your Home in Good Shape
Once you’ve got your finances squared away and have found a real estate agent, it’s time to start getting your home ready to sell. This means decluttering and deep cleaning every nook and cranny. You might also consider hiring a professional cleaner for an extra deep clean before potential buyers come for showings.
It would also be ideal to hire a plumber to see the condition of your pipes and make any necessary repairs. The good news is that most plumbers these days offer emergency plumbing services, which means they can come out to your home on short notice if something goes wrong while you’re selling.
Determine How Much Your Home Is Worth
Once your home is in tip-top shape, it’s time to determine how much it’s worth. You can do this by looking at recent sales of similar homes in your area or by having a professional appraiser come out and give you an estimate. It’s important not to overprice or underprice your home—if you overprice it, buyers will move on to another property; if you underprice it, you could leave money on the table. Correct pricing is key to a successful home sale.
Stage Your Home
Once you’ve determined your home is worth and set a competitive asking price, it’s time to start thinking about staging. Staging involves arranging furniture and decorating to make rooms look larger and more inviting. It also helps potential buyers see how they could use the space. If done correctly, staging can be instrumental in assisting buyers to fall in love with your home and making them willing to pay top dollar.
Choose the Right Marketing Strategy
Now that everything is finally in place, it’s time to start marketing your home. This means deciding which channels you’ll use to reach potential buyers. The most common method is listing on MLS ( Multiple Listing Service ), but there are other options, such as using a For Sale By Owner ( FSBO ) website or even just putting up a sign in front of your house. You’ll also want to promote open houses on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The key is reaching as many prospective buyers as possible so that multiple offers come rolling in, giving you some negotiating power when it comes time to accept one.
Final thoughts
So there you have it—six things need to do before selling your house. Just remember to take a deep breath; although selling a home can be stressful, if you follow these steps increase the chances of having a smooth transaction. So take your time, do your research, and be patient. In time, you’ll be able to find the right buyer willing to pay the price you want.
