Most home sellers dream of a smooth and stress-free sale but the reality is that selling a home includes a lot of moving parts. There’s much more to it than just sticking a ‘For Sale’ sign in the front yard and waiting for the offers to roll in!
Your home is your most valuable asset so it’s important to thoughtfully prepare a strategy so you can attract the right buyer. Since most sellers spend an average of six months thinking about selling before taking action, you have plenty of time to do your due diligence and get everything ready before listing your home.
Have you been thinking about selling your home but not sure where to start? We’ve put together this guide that breaks down all the things you need to do to get your home ready to sell.
Find an agent who knows the market
Finding an experienced real estate agent is your first step after deciding to sell your home. They will be your partner through the sales process, providing guidance on pricing and marketing strategies, managing negotiations, and closing details. The internet has made it easy to find and research reputable real estate agents. You’ll want to find an agent who not only understands your specific market but is one you feel comfortable with.
Choose a selling strategy
Before listing your home, you’ll need to decide how you’ll sell your home. Do you want to sell first and then look for a home, buy a home first and then sell, or manage both at the same time? Your decision should be based on current market conditions and your agent will be able to advise what’s the best approach.
Set a realistic timeline
Depending on the market, it can take between two and four months to sell a home.
Make necessary updates and repairs
If you have any repair projects you’ve put on the back-burner, now is a good time to address them. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to update your home. You can get a pre-listing inspection to identify any issues with the home that buyers may point out when they perform their own inspection before closing. Don’t worry about making any costly upgrades or additions. Your money may be better spent on a fresh coat of neutral paint, new carpet, or updated landscaping.
Competitively price your home
Pricing your home is one of the most important factors of a successful sale. It can be challenging trying to decide on the right price. You need to balance your personal expectations with market realities but homes that are appropriately priced tend to sell in a timelier manner than those that aren’t. An experienced listing agent can provide guidance on finding the right listing price based on comparable homes in the area.
Stage your home to sell
Now it’s time to show off your home’s best features. Real estate agents often recommend sellers stage their homes. You don’t need to hire an expensive professional stager! You can do this yourself. The first step is deep cleaning and decluttering your home. Aim towards creating a neutral space so buyers can picture their families and belongings in the home. Remove personal belongings, toys, and pack out-of-season clothes to free up space in the closets. Store excess furniture and rearrange the placement to create an inviting space. Staging should highlight the positives of your home.
Let your agent handle the rest
You’ve done all you can and now it’s time to let your agent step in and take care of the rest. They’ll submit your home to the multiple listing service in your area, place the ‘For Sale’ sign in your yard and market the home to potential buyers. They will be the point person for scheduling showings and open houses, as well as reviewing offers, leading negotiations, and guiding you through closing.
While your home is officially on the market, you can begin (or continue) your home search. When you’re ready to start looking for your next home, connect with us at SummerHillHomes.com to learn more about our new home communities throughout the Bay Area.