What to Expect as a Home Seller and Preparing Your Home for Sale

Selling your home can either be a comfortable experience or a nightmare. How that turns out is a result of planning and preparation. Although every state has different laws on property transfer, they all share the same process and sequence of events. 

The first determination you should make is to answer a few simple questions: 

1. Have I sold a property in your home state in the recent past?

2. Do you have the resources to advertise, market and present the property to potential buyers?

3. Do you understand negotiation as well as the contract process and do you have the time to devote to effectively sell the property?

Only if the answer is YES to all of these questions should a seller attempt to market his own property. 

It has been consistently shown that being represented by a Real Estate professional results in the seller ending up with more money in their pocket after closing than sellers who represent themselves. This is because trained licensed agents have more experience in marketing and negotiation on a daily basis as well as will have your interest as their primary goal. They also will have you complete disclosures that better define the property. 

In most cases, a seller should prepare their home to its best presentation condition before placing the property on the market. This is also time to select the best real estate agent available that services your market. Once you have settled on an agent that you feel a bond with, have them come and visually evaluate your home. They should have done some background research on your property as well as recent sales in the area and your competition. The meeting should start with you sharing you goals and time line with the agent. The next step should include a visual evaluation of your home with the agent and making a list of must do items prior to sale. This is a good time to discuss whether you should get a professional inspection that evaluates all the systems and the condition of the entire home. The real estate agent will advise you on what to get repaired immediately and what may not be cost effective prior to getting an offer. This should eliminate any surprises that will delay a sale and maybe loose the buyer. It is important to remember that curb appeal is a valuable marketing tool and improves the salability but does not increase property value. So, in plain language, painting, mowing and adding flowers to the front of a property can make the difference of getting the potential buyer to take a second look. 

Once you have obtained a quailed real estate agent and gotten your property in showing condition, you are ready to move forward. It is important to have the agent advise you on the interior presentation of your home. Many buyers have been lost at the front door because of pet odors. Most home owners do not smell odors in their own home. Next, if the home is occupied (not vacant), declutter and pack up items not used on a daily basis and get them out of the way in storage or boxed and in the garage or outbuilding. Walk thru your home and remove personal items including family pictures, nicknacks and items that distracts buyers. Kitchen counters should be clear, sinks empty and clean and refrigerator fronts should have everything removed. All appliances should be clean including stoves and dishwashers. Special attention should include securing and protecting valuables, removing jewelry and firearms and placing in locked locations. Remember, buyers are going to look everywhere including under counters and cabinets. 

Home showings should always be done by appointment. Your agent will call you and establish a time when they or another agent will come to show your home. Many agents use a lock box that only agents can get the key to gain access and also tracks who enters the property. We recommend that agents leave a business card indicating that they have entered and secured the property when the showing is complete. After any showing you should ask your agent for feedback. If the property is suitable to a buyer and realistically priced, you will likely have your agent be calling with a written offer on your home. 

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