10 Facts to Know Before You List Your Home

You’ve made the big decision to sell your home – how exciting! We know that this can be a very complicated time for you and your household. With the excitement to move on to something that is hopefully bigger and better, to the stress of having to pack up your entire life and wait for a buyer…it’s definitely not something that should be taken lightly.

Before you list your home, there are some things that you should be aware of! Here are 10 facts we think are important for you to know:

1. Know the market.
   By this time, we hope you’ve found a Realtor that you can trust, someone who will help you navigate the market. It’s their job to know the market – what’s selling, what’s not, etc. If you haven’t, don’t be afraid to find someone else! Selling your home is not something that should be handled lightly. Being unfamiliar with the market can lead to your home staying on the market longer than necessary or going for less than you deserve. Need help? Give us a call!
   
2. Clean sells.
   You’ve worked hard to make your house a home. It’s cozy, comfy, and YOU. However, that’s not what buyers want to see. Take some time to declutter and thoroughly clean your house. It might sound too simple, but it pays off. A dirty or cluttered home can cost you thousands off your asking price, if not the sale completely. Don’t have the time to clean? You can always hire an agency to come in and clean for you! We have plenty we can recommend.
   
3. Price to sell. 
   Sellers want to list their home for as much as possible so that they can reap the benefits of their sale. However, if it’s not priced to sell, you might find it taking a while to get an attractive offer. Your house will be most popular among buyers when it’s first listed. Consult with your Realtor to figure out what your highest and best list price should be. 
   
4. Don’t be inconvenienced.
   Buyers will want to come see the house when they are available. That means that you’ll need to make your home as available as possible within your own schedule. It also means that it will need to be clean and ready at the drop of a hat. If it’s too difficult to schedule a time to view the house, buyers will pass for something more convenient for them. 
   
5. Call a repairman.
   If you want to get the most out of your house, don’t let those small repairs hold you back. You’ll have to drop some money up front, but you’ll make it back when you get your offers. Most buyers don’t want to have to fix the house they’re buying! Handle it for them and they’ll be happy buyers; plus, they won’t ask for money off in order to make those repairs.
   
6. Cash isn’t always king.
   We’ve been led to believe that cash offers are the best offers. However, that’s not always true. Cash buyers usually come in under asking price with quick closing dates, which is definitely an attractive offer. Before you accept, consider those financing offers. When competing against cash buyers, those who are financing will make their offer look more attractive whether that’s a shorter inspection period, more money, or no repair requests. Consider all offers equally and discuss them thoroughly with your realtor and significant other if applicable.
   
7. Photos sell.
   The listing photos are your homes’ first impression. While you want buyers to come and see the home in person, you’ll need to entice them with the photos! If it looks good in the photos, they will assume it looks just as good, if not better, in person. Make the best impression you can by getting professional photos taken. If this is important to you, be sure to express that to your Realtor. 
   
8. Tell the truth.
   While you might not want to tell the buyers about all the things that are wrong with the home, it’s important that you do. While it may make it easier to sell, it can put you in some legal trouble. While they should find issues during their inspection, if it comes to light that you’ve withheld information you could find yourself on the wrong end of a lawsuit. Be sure to tell your Realtor everything you know about the home, even if it hurts a sale. Better to sell for less money than spend your money on legal fees.
   
9. Be flexible.
   Every sale will involve some negotiating. If you’re flexible, you’ll find that the deal will most likely go in your favor. Give the buyer a hard time, fighting over every detail, and they can pull their offer. Remember that a sale isn’t final until the papers are signed. You don’t have to cave on the things that are important to you but be sure to weigh out all the options before you walk away from the offer.
   
10. Experience matters.
    It might be nice to list your home with your niece who is an aspiring real estate agent but remember that your home is the investment you own. Experience matters. When selling your home, especially for the first time, you want someone who knows their stuff. They will know how to help you prep for the sale, what price to list at, and who to call for repairs, inspections and more. Need someone in your corner? Give us a call! Our agents are experienced and ready to serve you.