Tips for First-Time Home Sellers

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Selling a house can be a complex process and can be a daunting task. This is because there are several things to consider, especially if you want to sell it fast and for a good price. If you do not have the experience, it’s not difficult to make mistakes. And you don’t want that to happen, because a real estate property is a major investment. If you are selling your home for the first time, here are some tips to help you.

 

1. Prepare your home.

Before even listing your home, make the necessary preparations to make it sell. The point of this step is to make your home appealing to the buyers. Remember that you need to attract as many buyers as possible and that you are in competition with a lot of other sellers in your area, so it only makes sense to ensure your home stands out from the rest.

To prepare your home, several home improvement projects can be done. It can range from a minor cosmetic work to major repairs and upgrades. The most common way to freshen up your home is to apply a new coat of paint, but there are other things you can do:

  • repair obvious defects (rotting siding, broken windows, etc.)
  • keep the exterior tidy, including the driveways and walkways
  • add healthy plants and flowers, and remove weeds
  • declutter your home and organize spaces
  • clean the interior from top to bottom
  • remove nasty odors (pet odors and smoking odors)
  • replace broken fixtures
  • clean your rugs, carpets, and floors

You may also hire professional home stagers. This, of course, involves a fee. But they will ensure your home looks inviting and appealing.

 

2. Prepare yourself (and your stuff).

Movers can get really busy. Before putting your home on the market, you can start packing early. This can also help the prospective buyers clearly see what the place looks like without all your personal belongings, and envision themselves living in the house.

When someone makes an offer and you accept it, and all the paperwork is done, you will need to be able to move out quickly. To avoid unnecessary panicking when that time comes, pack your things ahead of time, especially the non-essential ones. This way, getting all your stuff out of your home will be a much smoother process.

 

3. Pick the best realtor.

Yes, it is possible to sell your home without a professional real estate agent. However, considering the steps involved in selling a house, and supposing you have not tried selling a house in the past, it is best if you have someone to handle all the details and guide you through the process.

Now there could be hundreds of real estate agents out there. Be sure to take your time and look around. Hire an agent based on his or her experience and track record. Do your research so you will find someone who can help you accomplish your sales goals. Do not hire a relative just because he or she is a relative. Hire a real estate agent who will go the extra mile to help you.

It is important to note that if you do hire a realtor, prepare yourself for the real estate agent commission. This is usually 5-6% of the property’s sale price.

 

4. Price your home just right.

An accurate price is extremely important. One might think that selling your home for the highest possible price is the only way to go. However, a price that is too steep will only repel buyers and might result in a stale listing, which is another turn-off.

A number of factors have to be considered in pricing your home. A reliable, experienced agent should be able to help you determine the correct price. 

 

5. Respond to offers promptly.

As much as possible, try to respond to a purchase offer as fast as you can. Purchase offers may expire, and it is not a good experience for the buyer at all to have to wait for you. 

 

6. Be informed about the associated closing costs.

Selling a house involves a lot of costs, and many of these you have to shoulder yourself. Some of these fees are the real estate agent commission, capital gains tax, property tax, and more. Read more about how much it costs to sell a home in our previous blog entry.

 

Selling your home for the first time can be intimidating, stressful, and emotional. Our real estate experts at We Buy Any House Fast understand this, which is why we are here to help you. If you are planning to sell your home soon, selling your house for cash is a much easier and quicker process. Skip the repairs, staging, commission fees, listing, and waiting! Call us today at 800-976-SOLD or visit https://www.webuyanyhousefast.com/ to get your offer!

 

Photo Credits Tierra Mallorca and Naomi Hébert