What You Need to Know Before Selling Your Home

Whether you’re moving to a sunnier state or you’re looking to downsize, selling your home will be the first step towards your new lifestyle. In such a dynamic real estate market, putting a property up for sale can be both exciting and challenging. Not only must it be priced just right, but it also must be in impeccable condition for potential acquirers to sign that buyer’s contract. To boost your chances of selling your property and getting a maximum return, here’s a useful guide with everything you should know and consider before selling your home.

Researching Your Local Housing Market

Conducting extensive research on the local real estate will benefit you in several ways. For starters, you’ll get familiar with the actual state of the market, know if there have been lots of sales, or if things have been stagnant. This can indicate whether the time to sell is right or if it’s preferable to hold back a little. Moreover, you’ll have a valuable chance to compare your property with similar ones in the neighborhood, check the competition, and determine where you stand in terms of pricing.

Home Inspections are Essential

A pre-listing inspection is definitely a smart move on your end. Bringing in a licensed professional to perform a home inspection is always a guarantee for the buyer that the house adheres to all standards and regulations and doesn’t conceal any major surprises. The expert will go over your house with a fine-tooth comb to assess electricity, plumbing, isolation, air quality, verify the presence of chemicals, and more. They will then hand you a certified report with any issues that need to be addressed before the sale.

Working with an Experienced Realtor

When it comes to selling your home, you cannot take any chances or solely rely on your own salesmen skills. While many will be confident in their ability to move their property, hiring a real estate agent is bound to get you proper results. They will take care of getting your property ready, marketing it, and handling all visits and negotiations with interested buyers. So, ask around, and interview several realtors before enlisting anyone.

Preparing Important Documents and Paperwork

It goes without saying that you should get all your official paperwork, documents, and contracts sorted out before making a sale. Remember that the process will involve dealing with the legal aspects and lawyers at some point, so covering yourself on the legal front is bound to expedite the process considerably. A comprehensive history of the house, including date and types of repairs, roof age, warranties, and permits will facilitate your realtor’s job and help them market the property efficiently.

Setting a Fair Asking Price

One of the most crucial aspects when it comes to selling your home is to determine a fair and realistic asking price. If it’s too low, you’ll risk losing thousands of dollars. In contrast, if you overestimate your property’s worth, you may end up stuck with it for months. While you can always solicit the services of a licensed house appraiser, research and close collaboration with your real estate agent will allow you to set an asking that won’t scare off potential buyers.

Curb Appeal Means Everything

A prime reason why many homeowners fail at selling their homes is simply because they look unattractive. Buyers usually make up their mind within seconds of seeing the property; if it fails to make an impact, no one will want to purchase it. As such, put everything you have into embellishing your home’s exterior. A fresh coat of paint and some landscaping can make a world of difference!

Depersonalizing Your Space

Once you’ve treated the facade, tackle the interior. Make your space as neutral and balanced as possible to allow prospective acquirers to project themselves. If your interior boasts flashy walls, overly styled furniture, or looks cluttered, this won’t leave a positive impression with your buyers. Consider moving some of the furniture and appliances out temporarily, or hire a home staging company.

Clean, Clean, Clean

Lastly, but important, it’s imperative that your house be spotless when you’re ready to welcome visitors. A dirty and neglected home gives off negative cues to acquirers, and they will storm out as quickly as they came in. You may want to solicit the services of a team of professional cleaners to give your home the cleanup it deserves and maximize its sales potential.

All in all, selling a home is far from easy. Between evaluating its worth, enlisting a competent realtor, and getting it sales-ready, there’s a lot to consider if you wish to sell your home promptly and for a good price. So, keep these useful pointers in mind whenever the time comes to put your property on the market.