Whether you’ve sold a house before or it’s your first time selling your home, there are various things you should know before you put your house up for sale. If you think home selling is easy and doesn’t take much preparation, it’s not true in most cases.
In fact, anyone who says selling a home is a fun experience isn’t being honest. The truth behind home selling is that it’s a process full of inconvenience, anxiety, and stress, which may result in thoughts of uncertainty. Fortunately, these feelings can be reduced if you do proper preparation.
So, before you decide to look for cash buyers, like Safe Home Offer, below are some of the things you should know before selling your home.
1. Know The Best Time To Sell Your Home
One of the things you should know before you sell your home is that not all real estate markets are the same. There are good and bad times to sell a property.
Generally, the spring season will help you get the top dollar for your home. Although it’s possible to sell a home during the winter season, the spring months may provide you the highest possible offers in most cases.
However, there are instances when the spring season may not always be a great time to sell a house. For other home sellers, the winter or fall months are a better time to sell instead of waiting until spring. So, make sure to know the pros and cons of every selling time frame. It’s also essential to choose the most convenient time for your situation to sell your home fast.
2. Decide On How You Want To Sell Your Home
Another thing to know before selling your home is to determine how you want to sell it. For instance, if you’re in a rush and want to sell your home as-is, you can find cash buyers for your property. Most cash buyers will buy your home no matter its condition.
On the other hand, if you want to get the best possible value for your home, it’s a great idea to work with a real estate agent or realtor instead of selling it on your own. But, you have to note that every real estate agent is different, and top agents may possess different skill sets and qualities. So, you need to choose wisely.
It’s the same case when working with a realtor. While there’s no guarantee that the top realtors are the right ones to help you sell your home, asking the right questions and seeking the right answers are crucial to make the selection process easy.
3. Decide On Your Pricing Strategy
You have the freedom to choose which pricing strategy to use. Typically, experienced agents are best in reading the real estate market, which can be of great help to choose the best pricing strategy for your home selling journey.Â
However, it may depend on your unique situation, the type of property you have, and its overall condition. All of these should be factored in to determine the right pricing strategy for you.
4. Gather All Your Documents
As a home seller, you should be aware of the documents you need to prepare before selling your home. More often than not, you’ll need documents for the age of the water heater and air conditioning unit, instrument survey, and permits, like fence permits.
If you don’t have a clue about the other documents to gather, make sure to work with your realtor. A good realtor knows the type of documentation required to sell a home.
5. Know Your Local Competition
Before you jump into the home selling process, it’s always beneficial to research your local competition. This will help you collect information about the number of homes for sale, the prices they’re listed at, and how long they’ve been on the real estate market. It’s also essential to note the real estate agents of every property.
When checking your local competition, stick with the houses that are similar to yours. It’ll help you decide better on your starting price and which real estate agent to use.
6. Opt For A Pre-Listing Inspection
Ensure that you consider getting your house inspected by a licensed and certified professional before selling your home. Your hired professional home inspector must have years of experience in the industry for you to determine the real issues of your home. If you settle with inexperienced inspectors, the chances are that they might not be able to spot your home’s problems, which may just waste your time and money.
When the inspection is complete, don’t forget to address all the issues mentioned by your inspector. Depending on your budget, fix the minor issues immediately and hire professionals if necessary, so your home will maintain its value. Â
7. Home Staging Is A Good Idea
Staging is something you should consider seriously. This is true if you want a quick sale, or there are similar homes for sale in your location. In many cases, staging secures you a better price and faster sale, so it’s worth the investment.
Once you decide to invest in staging, make sure not to spend too much, and don’t try doing it yourself. If possible, hire a professional home staging expert to avoid costly mistakes and get the best value for your investment.
8. Know If Home Warranty Is Worth It
A home warranty can be a good idea for some people when selling a house. In many cases, it’s a nice bonus to offer to your potential buyers, as well as an excellent marketing tool for realtors to use. However, before you sell your home, determine whether or not a home warranty is worth it. If you can’t decide, it’s best to ask for opinions from professionals and other home sellers. This way, you’ll know if the cost of a home warranty is worth it or not.
Bottom Line
Whether you decide to sell your house on your own or by hiring real estate agents, it’s essential to keep the above things in mind before proceeding with the home selling process. This is especially true if you haven’t done it before. So, if you don’t want to make mistakes or waste your precious time when selling a home, it’s crucial to be equipped with that knowledge to prepare yourself and make a well-informed decision in the long run.