For most of us, buying and selling a home is a process we expect to experience at least once in our lives. It is a rite of passage—to search for our perfect house, close on it, live in it for as long as we so desire, and then move on to the next one when the time is right.
That can be easier said than done, though, especially when it comes to selling your home. There are many intricacies that go into preparing it and then putting it on the market, so we’ve compiled a list of four things to carefully consider before putting your home on the market.
- Outsource the Work to a Professional
An integral part of the house-selling process is to find the right real estate agent for you. Real estate agents work exclusively in the business of buying and selling homes, meaning any and all of your concerns should be put to rest by their experience.
Additionally, there are also companies who outsource your problems another way—by buying your house from you. This is a trend that’s appearing more and more, convenient for anyone who is on a time crunch or does not have the time, energy, or resources to abide by the whims of the market. From New York City to Seattle home buyers, plenty of quick home-buying businesses already have you covered.
- Consider That Your Home May Need Renovations
Perhaps the most frustrating but necessary step to consider is whether or not your house needs renovations. It seems counterintuitive to sink so much money into a house you’re attempting to sell, but this is a common move exercised by homeowners everywhere. Renovations bring the house up to date and add to the value of the house, and often they can actually pay for themselves because of that fact.
Also, even if aesthetic changes are not necessary, make sure that any needed repairs are dealt with in advance. Any leaky pipe, busted light, or out-of-date appliance should be upgraded to ensure a quick and easy sell. You may think some things will go over potential buyers’ heads, but that’s rarely the case.
- Think About the Timing and the Current Market
One thing that many people might not know about selling a home is that the timing of putting it up for sale is vital to how easily it sells. Properties actually sell far better in the Spring and Summer months, when curb appeal is at its best and homes are filled with natural light when viewings take place.
Another thing that can affect the timing of your sale is the current housing market. Home buying must be an ever-flowing wave among buyers and sellers alike, but when that rhythm goes stagnant, it can become a big problem very quickly. Look long and hard into the state of the housing market.
Consult professionals, consult your friends and do all the needed research to ensure that you will earn back a fair amount of money if you sell your home right now. If it’s not a great time, consider holding off. Of course, depending on your circumstances, that may not always be a feasible option, but it is a strongly encouraged one.
- Always Accommodate Potential Buyers
Selling a home isn’t just taxing on the financial and legal side of things, but it’s also hard work on you physically. If someone wants to view your home on a Saturday morning at 9 am, you need to be up, ready, with all the kids’ and pets’ toys packed away, and all the surfaces sparkling. If someone else wants to view it at lunchtime on a weekday, be prepared to drive home from work to fit them in. Even though they might want to view at an inconvenient time, they could be your buyer.
There may be a lot of schedules-bending to get your home sold; but if you really want or need to sell your house, you’ll have to make it work! You can relax once you’re in your new forever home!
The Takeaway
Selling your house is not easy. But sometimes, the circumstances or decisions in our lives require it, and it’s good to know exactly how to go about it if or when the time comes.
Whether you’re deciding on your real estate agent, need a second opinion on your home’s potential repair and/or renovation needs, or want a professional take on the current state of the housing market, take time to ruminate on these things before putting up a ‘For Sale’ sign.
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