You’re ready for the next phase of your life, which includes selling your house and moving on — but there’s more to selling a home than listing it. If you want to sell your home quickly and get the best possible offer, it helps to do some research and preparation. Here are some tips to make the process go smoothly.
Get Your Paperwork in Order
As you might remember from when you bought your home, the purchasing process involves a lot of paperwork – the experience is similar on the seller’s end. To ensure you have what you need, it’s a smart idea to get your paperwork in order before you put your home on the market.
You’ll want to have the sales contract from when you bought the home handy, as well as your mortgage documents, property tax statements, title reports, and the deed. Other paperwork you’re likely to need includes permits and receipts for work done on the home, as well as warranties and receipts for the appliances you plan on including with the sale.
Research the Local Housing Market
Pricing your home correctly from the start can help you sell it quickly and for the best possible price. You don’t want to price your home too low and miss out on thousands of dollars. However, setting the price too high can mean buyers give your home a pass when looking at listings.
Doing some research will allow you to gain a good understanding of your local housing market. Browse online listings in your area and see what comparable homes are priced at, considering homes that have similar square footage, acreage, features, and location.
In addition to browsing active listings, take a peek at recent sales. See how much similar homes recently sold for and how long those homes were on the market.
Understanding how long homes take to sell can help you plan for the length of time you may be “in flux” if you’re looking to buy at the same time. If homes are selling within days, you might want to find a new home before you list. If they tend to sit longer, you may have more time to house hunt.
Find a Real Estate Agent
A real estate professional can provide you with invaluable advice and support. A reputable, licensed agent will know the market and help guide you through the selling process. They can also help you get your home ready to list.
You have options when it comes to finding an agent you can trust. You might decide to work with the agent who helped you buy your current home. If you weren’t happy with that agent or if they’ve moved on in their career, ask around to see if friends or family members may have a good recommendation.
You can also find an agent online. Read reviews and speak with a few agents before you decide who to work with. You want to partner with an experienced agent you can trust who has expertise selling homes in your area.
Declutter, Deep Clean, & Depersonalize
If ever there was a time to give your home a deep, thorough cleaning, it’s right before you list it and before the photographer comes to take pictures. Now’s the time to clear out items you don’t use or don’t need. You can donate items that are in good condition to local thrift shops or charities or try to sell items online.
Even if you don’t plan on getting rid of a lot, it’s smart to clear out as many of your personal belongings as possible. When potential buyers come to view your home, they might be turned off by knick-knacks and clutter. If you haven’t already moved to your next home, you might want to rent a storage unit for items you don’t want to display while your home is on the market.
After decluttering, deep clean your home. Vacuum under furniture and in nooks and crannies you don’t usually get to, dust in the high corners of each room, and give the windows a good washing inside and out. You might want to hire a house cleaning company to help as well.
Add the Finishing Touches
The final step before listing your home is to make it look like a million bucks! Your real estate agent can provide you with expert tips on how to tastefully arrange your furnishings and décor or can refer you to a professional home stager who will offer guidance on how to organize each room.
This is also an ideal time to repaint the walls of your home. Use neutral colors such as light grey, off-white, or “greige.” You might also want to take on smaller projects, such as replacing the faucets or fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms or upgrading cabinet knobs or pulls.
Along with freshening up the interior of your home, give some attention to the exterior. Remember that people will see the outside of your home first when they’re coming for an open house or a scheduled viewing. Giving the front door a fresh coat of paint, planting flowers, and clearing away any debris and outdoor clutter will help make your home look inviting and appealing to potential buyers.
If you’re putting your current property on the market to move into the perfect home, we offer a wide variety of mortgage loan products, customized service, and expert advice. You can complete your application online, at your convenience – and if you have questions, our trained mortgage consultants are here to help. Get started today.