A step-by-step guide to selling your home

There are various options that you can take advantage of when you are looking to sell your home. In fact, most home sellers often find numerous options daunting and overwhelming. Whether you need a real estate agent or plan or selling yourself are some of the decision you will have to make. With so many questions and numerous paths to pursue, you need to have an understanding of the home selling process. With this in mind, here is a step-by-step guide to selling your home with minimal hiccups.

Finding a real estate agent

To start with you need to find the right real estate agent to represent your interests. Not every agent out there is ideal for your particular circumstances. But there is a right real estate agent for you out there and finding them is not as hard as you might think. You need to understand an agent’s area of expertise to ascertain if they can meet your specific needs. Remember that some agents are specialised at representing buyers, while others are specialised at representing sellers.

Real estate agent vs realtor

Simply put, a realtor is a real estate agent who belongs to a national association of realtors. Realtors are required to have valid real estate licenses as well as immaculate history of professional conduct. Moreover, realtors are required to adhere to a strict and extensive code of conduct. As such, it might be in your best interests to opt for a realtor as opposed to a real estate agent. With a realtor you are assured that they will comply with a prescribed set of professional standards.

Selling without representation

Some people intending to sell their homes often wonder if it is possible for them to sell with engaging a real estate agent or realtor. It is possible for you to sell your home on your own, but there are various considerations to keep in mind. Although you can sell your home on your own there are numerous benefits to selling through a real estate agent. Here are a few reasons why you might consider using a real estate agent.

1. Higher selling price

In most instances a real estate agent can get you a higher selling price due to their deep knowledge of the property market coupled with refined negotiation skills. Even after paying an estate agent their commission, you will usually end up with more money than when you sell on your own. Real estate agents tend to get results by utilising multiple listing services as well as implementing a number of effective marketing strategies.

2. Legal documents

Contracts and other legal documents can be complex and confusing to understand. However, a good real estate agent helps navigate the messy waters of legal affairs. From evaluating offers, dealing with inspections, appraisals and financing issues, a real estate agent plays an important role.

3. Marketing

Realtors and real estate agents play a pivotal role in the effective marketing of your home. Some of the marketing tools used by good estate agents include:

  • Online advertising
  • Professional photographs
  • Open houses
  • Printed media and other promotional material

Getting your house ready to sell

Whether you are using a real estate or not you need to have an appreciation of the home selling process. This will help you be more informed and aid you hold your agent accountable. In the event that you decide to sell your home on your own, then the following information will be vital.

Price your home

Firstly, you need to establish a value for your home and price it accordingly. You need to review comparable properties that have sold recently in your area. Pay particular attention to the size of the homes as well as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. It is also important that you evaluate other comparable properties in your area that are currently for sale.

Make improvements

When you are selling your house on your own you will need to figure where to spend your time, energy and resources fixing the house. Start by cleaning, decluttering and organising your house. An unkempt will put off prospective buyers making it difficult to sell. In addition, fix up the little things that require attention and won’t cost you much. Moreover, you also need to decide if you are going to attend to major issues or sell your house as it is. Keep in mind that if there are any major issues then that is likely to bring the value of the property down.

Set up showings

Open houses are a great way of marketing your property and giving potential buyers the chance to assess the property. However, in light of the social distancing restrictions in effect, you need to consider creating 3D virtual tours. Virtual tours are essential to give prospective buyers an opportunity to get a feel for the layout and design of the house.

Negotiate offers

As the offers start to come in you must be prepared to negotiate. Decide whether you want offers to come right from the onset or you would prefer to wait until the first open house. Research the benefits or setbacks of either option. Also, keep in mind that there are other variables to consider in addition to the highest offer.

Prepare for inspection

Ensure that your property has remained in the best possible condition from the time you listed it. The buyer and their representative will evaluate the findings of the inspection and advise if there are any requests they have. The buyer will either request that you carry out some work on the house, or they will negotiate the for a monetary credit you need to give them at closing.

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