Are You Prepared To Sell A House: Seller’s Edition
As a homeowner, vacating a house can seem exhausting, but selling it is even more challenging. Having people over while you are packing can seem troubling. An easy way to sell a house is to get it market-ready before the season kicks in so the sales can be made without much negotiation.
We are here with a checklist of what you should do if you want a smooth selling process. Let’s dive into it!
Tips To Sell Your House Faster
Whether you are relocating for a new job or shifting to a bigger home, it’s essential to keep a few things in mind to close the deal quickly. The more potential buyers are interested in the deal, the fewer resources you will have to invest in selling the property.
Now, here are some tips for selling your house faster:
1. Hire a Real Estate Agent
The first step for a faster home-selling process is to hire a real estate agent. Professionals know the real estate market and will work to get the best deal. Remember that you will have to pay a commission, ranging from 2%-5% of the selling price, in return for their services.
Also, remember the agent will handle the whole process from when the house is placed on the market until the sale. They hire a professional photographer to get some of the best angles to attract more buyers. Also, they arrange showings, shortlist the buyers, market it further, and help get you the desired price.
A realtor knows the trending marketing tactics to get you a good deal. Some ways include emails, mailers, and different social media channels, making it essential to have a strong and reputed realtor on your side.
2. Set up a Realistic Price
Setting up a realistic price for the property will bring down your hassle and interest potential buyers. Pricing too high can make the buyers less interested, increasing the chances of the home not being sold for a long time.
3. Declutter the Home
If you want the house to appeal to potential buyers, declutter and depersonalize it so the buyers can imagine themselves living in it. It won’t be possible if your place is still filled with personal belongings and photographs.
Hiring external cleaners is an extra step that you can make to save yourself some time and effort. Plus, you will need to rearrange or remove the furniture so that the place looks bigger and no one bumps into the furniture.
4.Increase the Curb Appeal
If you want to make an impressive first impression, consider investing in boosting the curb appeal. The potential buyers will notice the surroundings and exteriors of your home even before they enter your house. So, give equal attention to the house’s interior and exterior.
Going for a major renovation can be costly, so consider getting only the required repairs and touch-ups done. If you want to attract prospective buyers, you can decorate the surroundings by plating flowers. Hiring a handyman will ensure a smoother transition to a much cleaner and better exterior if you don’t have much time.
5.Organize an Open House
If you want, you can even host an open house for prospective buyers. It is a great way to make the most of everyone’s time, as all prospects can visit the place at once. You can have great offers in only one day and might not have to go for multiple house showings.
6.Don’t Leave Any Undone Repairs
Last, don’t leave any undone repairs that could divert the buyer’s mind. Get an electrician to check that all the electrical points are working properly, along with the plumber to check the plumbing fixtures in the bathrooms and kitchen.
Depending on your budget, you can get new appliances, update the fixtures, and repaint the house. However, investing in a home warranty might sound like the best option if you are on a budget crunch. A home warranty coverage on vital household items will increase the chances of getting the best deal from the buyer.
A home warranty covers the repair and replacement of the major household systems/appliances, so prospective buyers won’t have to worry about early repairs. Homes with a home warranty get a good market price and are easier to sell than homes without a home warranty.
These are some tactics you can use to sell your house quickly and efficiently. While hiring a real estate agent lessens the homeowner’s burdens, there are other mistakes they should avoid while entering the housing market.
Reading the following section will help you avoid any mistakes while selling your house.
Mistakes To Avoid When Selling Your Home
Here are some of the mistakes that you need to avoid when selling your home:
1. Not Hiring a Real Estate Agent
Not having an expert real estate agent by your side diminishes the chances of a house being sold at the best market value. Remember, they are the experts, have dealt with property selling, and have a lot of market experience.
You’ll be responsible for marketing the home, listing it, and showing it to the buyers, making the sale even more difficult if you don’t have time. The negotiation process can become time-consuming because you will have no agent by your side.
2. Setting Up Unrealistic Prices
Overpriced homes don’t get sold in the trending market. It is one of the most common mistakes sellers make and should be avoided at any cost.
3. Not Investing In A Seller’s Home Warranty
Homes with a seller’s home warranty tend to sell first as the homebuyers feel safe placing their money. It also protects you from hefty repair/replacement costs during the sale. However, do your research before investing in one of the best companies for seller’s home warranty in your residence.
4. Not Choosing the Right Season
As a smart home seller, make it a point to research and not sell your home in the declining season unless it’s urgent. Selling in declining markets will increase your chances of not getting the best deal on your home. So, research well and sell at the right time.
5. Not Having Insurance
You might also need homeowner’s insurance to stay covered in case the buyer encounters an accident. Also, ensure diminish all the hazards on the property so that visitors can freely look around the property.
6. Hiding Major Problems
Any major problem with the property will automatically be uncovered when there’s a buyer inspection, so ensure to disclose everything. If there’s any major problem, you must either fix it or price the property below the market rates. So, invest in proper repairs and even a home warranty to avoid any problems.
Other common mistakes homeowners make are not accommodating buyers, decluttering the home for sale, and putting up blur listing pictures. These problems might sound small, but they will have a bigger impact when selling the property.
The Bottom Line
Preparing for the house sale might seem daunting and time-consuming, but a realtor will make the process easier. However, don’t forget to fix all the minor problems and fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms before putting the house on sale.
Some things that attract potential buyers are clean and depersonalized houses, well-maintained curb areas, affordable pricing, and a home warranty. These things might act as a USP, making the sale process fast and hassle-free.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How Should You Decide The Final Price?
The different considerations when deciding the final price of your home include neighborhood, home’s age, condition of the household items, and current market prices.
Should You Hire A Real Estate Agent for Selling Your Home?
Hiring a real estate agent is unnecessary, but you will have an added benefit if you have an experienced person. As the agents have connections in the market, they will arrange everything from hiring a professional photographer to conducting the sale easily.
What are The Best Home Warranties You Can Invest in For New Homeowners?
The best home warranty companies you can invest in for new homeowners include American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty, Select Home Warranty, and ServicePlus Home Warranty. These companies made it to our list because of their generous coverage caps, workmanship guarantee, and impeccable customer service.
Do You Need Experts For Decluttering?
No, you don’t need experts for decluttering; however, if you have a tight schedule, we recommend hiring cleaning experts.