5 Killer Tips For Selling Your Home

There are a number of reasons you may be selling your home. You may be relocating for a job, for school, moving in with someone else and combining households, or maybe you just need to sell for financial reasons. While the motivation for selling will differ, there are some evergreen tips and hints to consider when selling your home. Here we will share some of the best tips:

1. Choose your realtor wisely.

Your Realtor will serve as your guide throughout the entire selling process. There are tons of Realtors out there that will do a great job. Don’t settle for someone that treats you like a number and doesn’t have your best interest in mind. Ask trusted friends for recommendations who they have had great experiences with. Do your research to see what you can find out about your possible choices. Interview a few realtors to help you find someone who you trust and works in the way you expect. Discuss details upfront about how they plan to manage the sale and any possible pitfalls or tips they have for you specifically. Ask the different realtors you interview for comps in the neighborhood and their suggested list price after they visit your home. Don’t necessarily pick the Realtor based on who thinks you can get the best price. You want to find a Realtor that is knowledgeable and is aware of the realistic price that will make your home sell within your expected timeframes.

2. Decide what is important to you.

Sometimes you have to make concessions when selling a home. Depending on the market, if you need a very quick sale, you may be willing to accept a slightly lower price in order to secure a very solid, fast offer that will close quickly. If you have special circumstances and need the buyer to be flexible on timing or your move out date, for example, you may have to negotiate other terms to get the most important aspects of the contract to go in your favor.

3. Get your net sheet up front and know your true costs.

Ask for a net sheet or a breakdown of escrow costs and the amount you will net from the sale up front. You want to see what costs and commissions are being charged to you and what you can expect to actually make from the sale. Let the Realtors you are interviewing know that you want to see the proposed net sheet at your listing appointment. Also, be sure to read through the listing contract and double check that the details match what you were promised verbally. Also, do not feel pressured to sign a listing agreement on the spot. A good Realtor will not push you relentlessly for a signed contract. You will want to make sure you are all on board before signing and have the time to do so without added pressure.

4. Have your next place lined up.

In the case that your home sells very quickly, you will want to have a plan as to where you are going and not be caught off guard without a place to go. If you need more time to stay in your home after the escrow closes, talk to your Realtor and see if this is a possibility. Share concerns upfront so they can be managed appropriately.

5. Care for your personal information.

Any paperwork with sensitive info or valuables in your home should be locked up during showings and open houses. You may consider taking personal photos down before listing photos are taken. The pictures of your home will circulate the internet for all to see, so if you are more safety conscious, you may want to remove photos of you and your family for privacy sake.

While there are many things to consider when selling your home, keep in mind that this is something that people do every day. While it may feel overwhelming, it will pass and you will get to move on to the next stage in your life, whatever that may be. So try to enjoy the process and learn as much as you can. Next time you end up in the position of selling your home, you will be that much for knowledgeable and savvy.