Selling a home does not just involve listing your property, finding a buyer, closing the deal, and handing over the keys. It requires a lot of planning and making crucial effective decisions to get more out of the sale. If you are thinking about selling your house, here are five tips to make the home sale process less stressful.
1. Find an experienced real estate agent
While it can be tempting to sell a home on your own to save on the realtor’s commission fees, hiring a real estate agent is critical to getting an excellent offer and selling the property fast. A realtor can take the pressure of a home sale off your shoulders as they will handle various aspects of the process, including exposing your property to a broader audience, hosting showings, reviewing homebuyers’ offers, negotiating the price, and closing the deal. They will even offer insights on how to prep your home to make it more sellable and bring in a professional to take high-quality pictures for marketing purposes.
To find the right real estate agent for your home sale, check out different realtors’ online profiles to determine how long they have been in the field, the designations they have acquired, and the total number of sales. Be sure to also read reviews and testimonials from previous clients to gauge the quality of a realtor’s services and reputation. You could also seek referrals to a reputable and experienced realtor from family, colleagues, and friends who have sold properties before.
2. Time your home sale
While it is possible to sell your home at any time of the year, it is best to schedule your sale during the seller’s market, and there is an influx of homebuyers in the market. For instance, the best time to sell a house in Maryland is in June, when the winter weather is not keeping potential buyers away due to the cold weather. This will help you get an offer quickly and even get a higher bid than the listing price. Be sure to work with your real estate agent to determine the right time to sell your home based on your location to maximize your sale.
3. Set a realistic listing price
Going to market at the right time will mean little if you have set an unrealistic price. If you have priced the home too low, you will leave money at the table. Setting a higher price than the actual home value will also see the property staying in the market for months. You could end up selling it at a lower price because a home that remains in the market for too long gives potential homebuyers the impression that something is wrong with the house.
Consider hiring a licensed appraiser to estimate your home’s value based on its size, condition, and location. Alternatively, work with your realtor to set a reasonable price based on comparable homes in the market. This will help you put the correct cost on your listing from the beginning, which helps attract a wider pool of prospective buyers.
4. Enhance curb appeal
Potential buyers will react immediately when they pull up at your home, so you should consider improving the curb appeal to make a great first impression. To boost curb appeal:
- Ensure the front garden, fence, and pathways are well-maintained
- Spruce the front door with a fresh coat of paint
- Purchase a new mailbox
- Invest in colorful annuals and perennials
5. Stage your home
Instead of showing an empty home or a house with apparent imperfections, consider staging it. You could invest in new accessories like toss pillows, coffee tables, art pieces, books, and vases. Be sure to paint the home with neutral colors and rearrange the furniture. Alternatively, bring in staging professionals to add high-quality furniture and decor that appeal to a broader client base.
Endnote
Selling your home does not have to be overwhelming and stressful. Hire an experienced realtor, time your sale, create a reasonable listing price, boost curb appeal, and stage the house to sell your home quickly and get a great offer.
