
Deciding to sell your home isn't an easy decision to make. Though it might be an exciting time, the process of selling a house might seem a little daunting - and rightfully so! There's a lot that goes into preparing a home to go on the market. But here's the good news - we are here to help! Here is your complete guide on selling your house. From first steps to final details, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to get a grasp on what all goes into selling your house. Let's go!
Hiring the right Realtor to help you through the process of selling your house is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. It's worth putting in some thought on your end. Do you want someone who will do anything to get the best price? Is a personal relationship important to you? Regardless, here are a few good questions to ask when it comes to finding the right Realtor.
This is where you get to have some fun. It's no surprise that homes that look good sell fast. In a market where inventory is increasing and buyers have options to choose from, you want the "first look" of your house to outshine the competition. First things first, declutter. And when you think you're done, declutter some more. We are going for simple, not busy, and it gets easy to overlook a lot of, well, junk, when you have lived in the same house for awhile. Second, you can really increase your curb appeal by making some small changes such as adding new greenery outside or a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Another easy change is to add some smart home electronics to your house - such as a Ring Doorbell or a Nest Thermostat - these are an easy win with potential buyers! Finally, when it comes to actually listing your home, you want it to look its best. That means having your agent hire a high-quality, professional real estate photographer to take the best listing photos possible. Get the lighting right and highlight the parts of your home that you want to showcase/showoff.
These are all completely optional, but can tend to go a long way if you're wanting to sell your home fast for the most money possible. Small projects can make a dent, but if you're wanting bigger projects to increase the overall value, here are some of the top upgrades to increase home values:
Sure, it might seem like you're going "above and beyond" to schedule an inspection when you're thinking about selling your home, but there are actually some really good reasons to go ahead and pull the trigger. Here are some of my best reasons:
When repairs are made, landscaping has been spruced, and your home is in tip-top shape - it's ready to list! This is where having a trustworthy, experienced Realtor on your side can really help. When it comes to marketing and getting your home in front of the right eyes, we know exactly what to do. One of the main things you want to get right here is the listing price. Depending on your timeline, you can work with your Realtor to figure out what the sweet spot of your home should be (based on current market situations, comparable properties, etc.)
It's no secret that the financial aspect of buying or selling a home can be one of the hardest parts about actually getting a transaction to go through. Costs tend to add up fast throughout the process and can surprise people when they actually get the numbers down - especially in the California Real Estate Market). So, here are some ways that you can calculate a rough estimate on total costs when it comes down to it (this will help you to understand how much you'll walk away with after your house has sold).
Here's a rundown:
$600,000 - $36,000 (6%) - $100,000 - $5,000 = $459,000.
Now, of course, this is just an example. But running some quick numbers such as these can really help to take the surprise out of the final costs / profits from selling your home down the road.
If you've bought or sold a home before, you probably know how this all goes. A few things happen when an offer is accepted on a home for sale. First, the buyer's agent will set up an official inspection of the property and report the findings to the buyers. Depending on what is reported in the inspection, some negotiations might go back and forth to settle on what will be the responsibility of the current owners v. the new owners. After the inspection is done and potential repairs are agreed upon, the appraisal process starts. This could take up to a few weeks, but it's the appraiser's job to find out what the home is actually worth for the lender to give you a proper loan (obviously, not the case for cash buyers). Finally, when those steps are complete, a closing date is set and it's smooth sailing from there!
Making the decision to sell your house is a big deal. Whether you've lived there for two years or twenty years, parting ways with a home that has been faithful to you is very bittersweet. It's where you make memories, start a family, get to know friends, and live your life. With that said, going through the process of selling your home can be a really exciting time as well. I hope that the steps above help to make the process go a little smoother and that you can understand more of what to expect when it comes to selling your house. Though the process can seem daunting to start, taking small steps toward preparing it for sale and actually getting on the market can go a long way. Whether it's a remodeled kitchen or a few new flower pots on the front porch, adding character to your home will only help the appeal for potential buyers.
Reading a guide to sell your home is helpful, but getting to talk to someone in-person is going to answer any other questions you might have. If you're thinking of selling your home and have questions or would like a selling consultation, reach out and we will put you in touch with one of our local real estate agents.
Happy home selling!