Five Step Plan For Home Sellers
Now that you’re planning to sell your house, it seems like there is a lot of things to do. Aside from moving, it selling your house is a major decision and starting too late could sour the whole selling experience.
There are many ways to plan ahead. If you’re selling your house, check out our 5 step plan to get a head start on your selling process:
1. Get Organized
The first step to selling is to get organized. One of the best ways of doing so is to make a checklist. Having a checklist is advantageous because it allows you to formulate a plan in attacking all you need to accomplish before you actually need to move.
Start by identifying a list of all the things you need to do before selling the house for example: contacting a realtor, taking photos, cleaning the house, repairs, etc. Phase 2 of this can include items you need to do while the house is in the market and the last phase will tackle assignments you need to do before moving out.
Having a list will also make it easier for you to keep track of things that still need your attention or to delegate assignments to other family members or friends.
2. Check Mortgage Records
If your mortgage is paid off this step will not apply to you. If you still have a mortgage to pay off t’s time to figure out how much you owe. Knowing your outstanding loan balance will help you when determining a sale price. You may need to use the money from your home sale to pay off your mortgage.
Ask your lender for an updated mortgage status. Your lender will want to ensure that your home is paid in full before it sells.
3. Plan Your Selling Strategy
You and your real estate agent should work together on determining a selling strategy for your home. For example, if you want to sell your home quickly, you and your realtor should come up with a minimum price you are willing to take to make vetting offers easier and faster. Determine on the best marketing tactics. For instance, you might want an open house while your agent prefers private viewing. Each strategy has its pros and cons and the right strategy should be something you are comfortable with but is also the most effective for your specific situation.
4. Get Repairs Done
Most home buyers prefer homes that are ready to move in. They are already spending a lot of money buying a home; so major repairs like a new roof or a new heating system might be too much for them to handle. Move-in ready homes tend to sell quickly and usually for more money compared to houses that need major repairs. Go around your house and check for things that need fixing. A working air conditioning unit for example or a fresh coat of paint can help improve first impressions.
5. Implement Your Marketing Plan
Usually the first time a buyer will see your house is through photographs on real estate websites. Taking good pictures is very important because if buyers don’t like photos of your house, they won’t waste time to view it personally. If you don’t have a talent in photography, hire professionals to do it for you.
Home staging is just as important as photographs because it emphasizes a house’s strengths while minimizing the weaknesses. Some sellers think that staging is costly but staged homes usually sell faster compared to non-staged homes. This can be very important if you’re in a rush to sell.
Always remember that buyers form an opinion about a property within 7-10 seconds of entering a home. First impressions count.
Need help in selling your home quickly? Call the team at Gold Path Real Estate at 612-758-0071 to discuss your specific situation. Alternatively, click below to get your FREE no obligation Home Selling Report NOW.
