Selling a house is one of the most difficult decisions to make, especially if this is a place loaded with emotional connections. However, there are times when you’ll need to make this step, regardless of your feelings. Once you’ve made the decision, you’ll also discover that the process isn’t easy. There are quite a few forms to fill, lots of paperwork, and more. Plus, it takes time and effort to put the modern houses on the market, evaluate the property and set the right price, find interested buyers, and make sure all legal issues are taken care of.
If you’re already feeling confused, don’t worry – selling a house, or property in general, takes time and patience. But, to give you a bit of clarity, here are the most common steps a homeowner should take to get things rolling:
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#1: Evaluate the Property
This step is not mandatory but it will help you evaluate the overall price of the property while also making you aware of any repairs or problems that may hinder the process. Buyers usually come with their own specialists and evaluators who will most likely discover the same problems you’ll find during your own evaluation. However, if you ignore the situation hoping the buyer won’t find out, you may end up losing a solid opportunity.
Plus, when all the repairs are done, you can get a better price and speed up the process. Buyers love to know that the former owner took care of the property and invested in proper maintenance. However, don’t get into any costly upgrades that don’t guarantee a return on investment.
#2: Get Professional Help
While you can sell a property without a professional’s help, we strongly recommend hiring a licensed real estate agent who knows the market. An experienced agent can help with the paperwork and can make the process a lot smoother than if you choose to sell the house without help.
Plus, an agent knows how to expose the property to a broader audience, which may also hype up the price. They can also negotiate on your behalf and provide guidance on how to prep the home or how to handle difficult buyers.
Overall, if you want the sale to go as smoothly as possible, you will need the help of a professional real estate agent or broker.
#3: Make Sure Everything is In Order
This step has a broader reach and is different for each property, but it usually has to do with the papers (proving your ownership and right to sell), arranging the house, and other aspects.
First and foremost, work with your real estate agent and check if the papers you have are in order from a legal standpoint. Check if you have the right to sell the house and make sure there are no obstacles.
Once the legal aspects are taken care of and the house is ready to be put on the market, work on arranging everything for visits. Interested buyers will want to come and see the property, so it is a good idea to hire a cleaning company for indoors and maybe a gardening company for the outdoor area. Also, ask your agent to take a few professional photographs and maybe a video tour of the house for online advertisements.
#4: Review the Offers
As the offers start rolling in, make sure to check possible buyers’ credentials and their method of payment. Usually, if your house gets a lot of attention on the market (which is a great scenario) you will have the possibility to choose your buyer. However, if the market favors buyers, you may have to negotiate or even compromise.
Still, before you sign off the house, make sure the transaction is transparent and that everyone involved understands the terms. For this, you will need help from either a real estate agent or an attorney.
Overall, the best way to make sure no funny business slips in and ruins your deal of selling a house is to work with a reliable professional.
Also read: 3 Tips to Make Your Home Sale-Ready
