Contributed by Shipp Group
1. How Much Does It Cost to Sell My Home?
::: The total cost of selling a home can be around 10 percent of the sale price. These costs include seller concessions, possible closing costs, repair costs, and maybe housing overlap costs if you can’t line up selling your home with your next home purchase.
2. Should I use a Real Estate Agent to Sell My Home?
::: The “for sale by owner” (FSBO) method seems a great way to save thousands of dollars when you sell your home. But hiring an agent has many advantages. An agent brings expertise – which few home sellers have – to a complex transaction with many financial and legal pitfalls. Agents can get broader exposure for your property, help you negotiate a better deal, dedicate more time to your sale, and help keep your emotions from sabotaging it.
In short, if you want to be taken seriously by sellers’ agents, get the best price, and make sure you don’t miss any key steps in the process—or risk a lawsuit—it’s better to use a real estate agent than to try to sell your home yourself.
3. How long will it take to sell my home?
::: One of the strongest indicators in determining how long it will take to sell your house is the average days on market. This can vary widely depending on the season in which you are trying to sell and local market conditions. Additionally, there are several other factors that can impact the timeframe, such as the condition of your home, your neighborhood, home photography, and staging. So, ask your real estate agent for an estimate based on these factors for homes they have sold that are comparable to yours.
You should always factor in a scenario where it might take longer to sell your house, just in case. There can be a significant financial impact if it does, and you should prepare yourself to be on the safe side.
4. When should I sell my home?
::: You want to sell when you are likely to get the best possible results. Simply put, that’s different for every home and every situation. Find a real estate agent who knows how to sell year-round, and who has sold houses in a variety of price ranges in your market. That way, you can sell when you’re ready to sell.
5. What can I do to get my home ready to sell?
::: There is a lot to do before you ever list your home. The most successful sellers have already done the work behind the scenes so that once the home is on the market, they can make a sale immediately, and don’t have to do a bunch of things to meet the buyer’s conditions.
Of course, your real estate agent will give you the run-down for your property, but here are the basics:
Clean Up!
No one wants to visit a dirty home – much less buy one – unless they’re looking for a home that is a mess in the hopes of getting a good deal. If you want to get good value for your home, declutter, and thoroughly clean. Even hire someone to do a good job if you need to.
Repair!
Proper home maintenance shows a potential buyer that they can feel comfortable with the asking price. So, handle the little things you’ve been meaning to do but haven’t had a chance to get done. The more small, cheap fixes you do ahead of time, the more desirable your home will be. A word of caution, though: talk to your agent before doing any major repairs. You want to be sure that whatever you do will positively impact the sale.
Take Great Pictures!
Your listing pictures are your home’s first impression. Your agent should either be skilled at taking real estate pictures or know someone who is. That way your listing looks as good as possible and shows the best side of your home. Take a look at your agent’s existing listing pictures to make sure you’re getting the best value.
Ready to sell?
Contact us to get started today. We’ll be happy to help you build your dream.
775-299-4123