Selling your home is a big decision. Whether you’re looking for a change of scenery or need an extra bedroom, selling your home can be emotionally and mentally challenging. These six steps can help ease some of that anxiety.
👥 How to Find Agents for Selling Houses
Finding the right real estate agent can go a long way towards simplifying the process of selling your home. Find someone that shares your values and makes you feel comfortable – you’re probably going to be spending a lot of time with this person! Just because someone says they can do the job, doesn’t mean they are the right one for you and your family. Don’t feel pressured to work with the first agent you speak with. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. Check in with neighbors, friends, and family, for recommendations.
🏡 How to Stage Your Home for Sale
Staging your home is a very important step. The more you can help potential buyers visualize themselves in your home, the better the chance of receiving an offer. There are several things to keep in mind while cleaning up and cleaning out your home. First, remove as much clutter as you can. Maximize counter space in the kitchen by storing small appliances in the cabinets, and clear off flat surfaces such as coffee tables and desks. Second, once the clutter has been cleared, a deep clean is in order. Pay special attention to bathrooms and kitchens. Third, a new coat of paint may be needed. Any room with bold colors should be repainted in a neutral color and the master bedroom should be as gender neutral as possible. Fourth, look at the outside of your house. Curb appeal is important for drawing potential buyers into the house. Freshen up flower beds with plants that are in bloom and power-wash siding, driveways, and walkways.
💲 How to Price Your Home for Sale
Setting the right asking price can be difficult. You have a personal attachment to the home and may feel like the value is higher than the appraisal. This is one of the many places where a good real estate agent can help. If there are other comparable homes for sale nearby, researching their asking prices is a good idea. Depending on your financial situation, determining what you are willing to accept is a very personal decision, but keep in mind that your expectations may be unrealistic and input from your real estate agent can be invaluable.
✍️ Accepting an Offer on a House
Congratulations! You’ve received an offer that you can’t refuse. There are a few things that you will need to cover with your agent. First, are there any repairs that the buyer has requested? Review these items with your agent to decide what, if anything, you will repair. Second, if you decide not to repair anything, it might be beneficial to counter with a lower price or offer a monetary amount to cover those repairs. Third, do not feel pressured to agree to repair anything or to accept a lower price, but keep in mind that a buyer’s offer may be contingent on a home inspection. If that inspection reveals expensive or extensive repairs that need to be made, the buyer may withdraw their offer.
🧐 What Happens After an Offer is Accepted on a House
Once you have accepted an offer, the buyer may choose to have an independent inspection done on the home. After the inspection is complete and any agreed upon repairs have been addressed, your financial institution will require an appraisal. This is to verify that the offered price is in line with the local market. A title check will be conducted by the lending company to verify the title is clear of any liens or other legal issues, and then a closing date will be set. Don’t be surprised, however, if it’s moved due to paperwork issues. If possible, utilize a title company owned by or located inside an attorney’s office. If an issue is found with the title, an attorney will likely be available immediately to address it.
📅 What to Expect at Closing of the House
Hooray! You made it! It’s finally closing day and you’re almost finished. If it hasn’t already been done, a walk-through of the home will take place to ensure all parties agree regarding any repairs that needed to be done. Now it’s back to the office to sign mountains of paperwork! Once everything is signed and the keys are handed over, you’ll receive a check in the amount of the offer, minus the remaining amount on the mortgage and any various fees you have incurred. Now it’s time to pack everything up and move on to the next adventure!
Your real estate agent is the best source of information about the local community and real estate topics. Call Tom Verhelst at 218-205-2604 | Karen Zell at 218-731-6836 to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale.