If you’re thinking of selling your home, but haven’t a clue where to start, continue reading to learn about one of the most important financial transactions you will ever experience. We give you the step-by-step process in preparing you to hit the ground running.
Do Your Homework (two months before listing)
Two months before listing, it’s a good idea to go through and evaluate your finances to review how much leverage you have before jumping into a for sale by owner process.
If you need to sell your home quickly, that usually plays a role in your asking price and what you’re ultimately willing to accept. If there’s no pressure to sell, no need to fret about waiting for the ideal offer; price your house accordingly. Once you’ve established an asking price, start to get a feel for your local market. Check prices for other similar homes in your immediate area.
At this point, you may want to get an estimate of your home value, so you can gauge what a reasonable asking price may entail. Add up transaction costs and remaining equity in your home; having a specific dollar amount ahead of time helps you know all the costs involved.
This is also the ideal time to collect key documents, gathering up any paperwork you’ll need, so you have them ready to go. Get your title, mortgage, and insurance.
Get in the Mind of a Home Buyer (two months before listing)
Inspect your home like a buyer would—with a critical eye. Also, enlist friends or family that aren’t afraid to speak up and be honest with you. Once you know what shape your home’s in, it’s time to get to work.
Take care of cosmetic problems, such as grimy walls, torn carpeting, crooked or missing light fixtures, stained or ripped furniture, or torn windows screens. Consider making upgrades, if you have some extra cash. How are your appliances? Electrical or heating/air conditioning working correctly? When you repair wonky systems, you reduce the chances of people rejecting your home.
Establish Your Asking Price (1 month before listing)
Now is the time to do your homework on your asking price. Research your house market and establish a baseline asking price. Add any home improvement costs to the most recent purchase price and calculate the average rate of appreciation.
Check the sale price of recently sold properties, looking at the prices of all the homes in your neighborhood. You can do this by searching through local property records that are open to the public. Next, get an appraisal by an on-site appraiser who is familiar with your neighborhood. They will compare your home to the condition of other homes in the area that sold and add value to unique features or home upgrades.
Stage Your Home (two weeks before listing)
Get your home ready to sell. Make it as appealing as possible, Declutter and clean; stage it with accessories and furniture you already have, but take down all your pictures and add throw pillows, rugs, a vase of fresh flowers on the table, and some nice artwork for a finishing touch.
Spruce up your yard, so it’s curb appeal draws people inside. Plant some fresh flowers; trim the bushes and trees, mow, if needed, and rake any leaves.
List & Market Your Home (1 week before listing)
Now, it’s time to list and market your home. Assemble all the materials you’ll need, which may include photos, room measurements, yard signs flyers and handouts, and pricing documentation.
Put your home listing online and use print advertising. Arrange some appointments for people to check out your home.
Now, you can start negotiating and accepting offers.
Contact NH Homebuyers LLC
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of trying to sell your home, let us buy it from you. Contact us to learn how our process works, and enjoy no fees, commission, or obligation, and with cash-in-hand soon.