There are times when selling your house is the best choice for where life is taking you. Where do you begin? Starting the home selling process without being prepared may cost you money and delay the sale of your property. Keep stress at bay by checking out these helpful steps before you begin your adventure.
Step 1 – Find a Real Estate Agent
Take everything you know about today’s real estate market and compare it to the experience and knowledge a professional real estate agent has under their belt. It’s easy to see the scale tips in their favor. You need that knowledge and experience working on your behalf as you move forward. Choose someone who listens to you, communicates at the highest level, specializes in your type of home, and has a marketing plan. Check their track record for selling homes like yours. The valuable advice they offer can help you set an appealing asking price from the start.
Step 2 – Staging for Potential Buyers
You want your home to be warm and inviting. It should appeal to a broad range of people. Your goal is to reach as many people as possible, and this is where your real estate agent’s marketing comes into play. Once interested, you want to keep the attention of potential buyers with your beautiful home. Clear away distractions so that visitors can see themselves living in the home. Pack away photographs, collections, and controversial items. Even the cleanest properties could use a deep cleaning. Replace worn, dated, and broken items throughout the home. Use neutral tones for paint and furnishings.
Step 3 – Set the Asking Price
The real estate market is always changing, but it would be nice to sell your property for more than what you initially paid. Keep an open mind and discuss with your real estate agent ways to set an appealing asking price. The agent’s comprehensive report on the value of your home can help you determine the best asking price. When completing this report, they will consider the current market, upgrades to the property, and other properties sold in the area. Setting the correct asking price from the beginning helps lower the risk of price lowering or your property staying on the market too long.
Step 4 – Understand Marketing
Your real estate agent markets the property to make sure it reaches as many buyers as possible. Your home needs to stand out from the rest of the homes in your area. It’s a good idea to get clear, professional photographs taken of the property once staging is complete. Your agent sets up open houses and creates interest online through various marketing techniques. Discuss the plan with your agent to make sure you understand the process.
Step 5 – Accepting an Offer
Be prepared to receive multiple offers. Once you’ve accepted one, you’ll begin the finishing steps. You and the buyer sign an agreement that spells out the sale terms. The mortgage lender orders inspections and an appraisal. Don’t be afraid to revisit conditions of the sale if problems arise during an inspection.
Step 6 – Closing Day Arrives
On closing day, you pay any outstanding expenses and sign the final paperwork. In most cases, you hand over the keys to the property.
Your real estate agent is the best source of information about the local community and real estate topics. Give Indy Signature Group a call today at 317-345-0785 to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale.
