Looking forward to selling your house? In an ideal world, you would advertise your house, find a suitable buyer and collect a cheque. The opposite is true; the various steps before you finally hand over your house keys after a sale agreement can be intimidating. Ideally, for your house to sell, it depends on your locality housing market, your home, and what situation you are in. In this article, we will cover the processes involved before you finally sign that sale agreement. Selling a house requires a timeline. Let see what to do as you move towards the final day.
The initial three months before advertising your house
Assess your finances, including your budget. To avoid any surprises, get as much information as you can regarding your mortgage, any taxes that may apply, closing costs, and any other fees applicable. You can have a tax accountant and a financial advisor to guide you through. Take time to find out if homes similar to yours are selling, after how long, and at how much. Get to know who is in charge, the seller or the buyer.
In the following two months, do the following
Get a reputable real estate agent. You can ask your friends and family for any proposals. Feel free to ask the agent if they have sold many houses in your area, how they will market your home, how long, and how much they will charge. Make sure to be upfront with these and any other questions cause you will work closely with them through the various steps.
It is also the best time to pick a day when to advertise your home finally. Take into consideration the year, holidays, or when classes are ongoing, and particular days. Did you know Sundays are the worst day while listing on Wednesday will give you a much better offer?. For you to get a buyer fast, listing on a Thursday is recommended.
It is rare to have a home that doesn’t need a patch here and there. Hence, be proactive and have a home inspector check for anything that needs to be addressed. It gives you time for any repairs and adds the expenses incurred in your budget. If the windows, roof, electrical and plumbing systems, drainage, and foundation are not ideal, they may cost you a potential buyer.
In the last month before advertising your house
A potential buyer wants to envision your home as theirs, so clear off your belongings, especially on shelves, and straighten the beds. Rearrange your home to make it appear spacious. You can hire a professional to assist. If necessary, keep your belongings in a secure storage unit nearby. I will enable the buyer to stay focused on the house, not the things inside.
Dirty homes are a sure way of putting off any buyer. For a thorough clean up, get a cleaning company to make your home shine, hence appealing and competitive. As the month comes to a close, evaluate how much your home is worth. Your agent should assist you but also analyze the market rates to avoid overpricing or under pricing.
In the last week, have photographs taken of your home for listing, highlighting the house’s different areas. Remember, this is what any potential buyer will see before deciding whether they want to view your home. Finally, list your home. As the potential buyers trickle in, negotiate, and review your price to get the best deal.
