If you’re selling a home for the first time, it’s quite a different ballgame from anything you experienced as being a first-time buyer. Ultimately, you’re in charge of the procedure. You call the shots on prepping your house for sale, deciding on a listing price, accepting (or rejecting) offers, along with a host of additional factors. Here are 8 suggestions that can assist you.
But you might want to heed the following suggestions
1. Hire an experienced REALTOR
A real estate transaction is filled with complexities and nuances that a professional, skilled agent can help you navigate. Ask people around you to recommend an agent they’ve used and were pleased with, or Nick & Cindy Davis can assist you in getting your home sold for you.
2. Detach yourself from the process
You’ve made memories you’ll always remember with your first home, and saying goodbye is actually difficult. But be careful not to allow your emotional attachment get in the way of making sound decisions, especially when it comes to staging and pricing your house. Try to see your home as a potential buyer would. Pretend you are potential buyer and walk through your house. Create a list of what you like about each room – as well as the things you’d change.
3. Don’t overprice
Some sellers may believe that in today’s low-inventory market they are able to overprice their house and get top dollar. In reality, if you price it competitively, you’ll generate a flurry of activity and (possibly) get in a situation where multiple offers are rolling in. Overpricing at the start hurts your chances of getting a quick sale, particularly when numerous price reductions are necessary.
4. Declutter and stage for a quick sale
Buyers who tour your home will have a hard time picturing themselves living in it should they only see paint colors or décor that matches your very own unique style. Repaint the walls with neutral, earth-tone colors, and remove excess decorations from walls. Consider renting a storage unit to maintain large furniture that overpowers most of your living areas; rooms should appear as spacious as possible.
5. Make the necessary repairs/upgrades
Make certain that all systems and appliances are working properly, as these items can come up in a home inspection that might cost you more money and, possibly, the complete sale in the future. The rule of thumb is to make improvements to your home that will assist the property show well, but don’t put a ton of money into capital investments such as a swimming pool or high-end flooring, particularly if such upgrades aren’t consistent in your neighborhood. You likely won’t get that money back in the sale.
6. Give your home curb appeal
Your home’s front exterior will be the very first thing potential buyers will see when they drive by, and it’s likely the very first photo which will appear in an online search. Give your front door a fresh coat of paint, then add bright flowers to your entryway, and make sure that any cracks or major cement damage is fixed. Consider renting a pressure washer to remove the grime and buildup on the exterior of your house, and definitely keep the yard mowed and tidy. Just a little elbow grease goes a long way to making a positive first impression on buyers.
7. Keep an open mind for negotiations
What’s more essential to you: Walking away together with your selling price (or more)? A fast closing time? Putting out as little up front cash in closing costs as possible? All of these are considerations you will need to make as you evaluate offers. Also, keep in mind that you have the ability to negotiate with counter-offers. Sometimes, you can sweeten the deal by offering to pay a buyer’s closing costs (if feasible), or leaving some appliances behind. A few concessions can go a long way while in the negotiation process, and Nick & Cindy Davis can work with you to carefully evaluate and respond to each offer.
8. Get ready for closing
Once you’ve accepted an offer and signed a sales agreement, you’ll start prepping for a closing. Also called “escrow” or “settlement,” closing is the final meeting between the buyer, seller, their agents and a loan officer (or perhaps an attorney, in certain states) where the buyer pays their portion of the costs to the seller and the buyer’s new title and any mortgage liens are properly recorded. The closing agent will calculate what monies are due to the owner along with what credits need to be applied to the transaction, for example taxes, title fees and other closing costs.
Hopefully you will find these suggestions helpful. So are You Ready to sell? Call Nick & Cindy Davis today we can help you navigate every one of these steps. We are always available by calling us at 813-300-7116 or simply click here and we will be in touch.