A First-Time Home Seller? Breeze through the Process with this Guide

You’ve probably never thought of filling the shoes of a Realtor – until you decide to move out of your current home.

You might find yourself needing to move because of a work-related concern or to accommodate the needs of your growing family. Regardless of the reason, it means you will need to play the role of both home seller and buyer.

Home buying and selling are vastly different processes. Buying, for instance, involves getting a feel of the home and the neighborhood. Selling, on the other hand, centers on what agents refer to as “maximizing profit potential.”

Selling a home for the first time can get a bit daunting, but here are a few thoughts to help you through your first (or second, or third…) home selling experience.

Tip #1: Work with the right agent.

As a first-time home seller, you need help from a professional in navigating the home selling process. When choosing a real estate agent, check his or her track record. As you’re getting into a contract with your agent, make sure he or she is someone you can work with from beginning to closing. Reputable, full-service agents may not be amenable to giving a discount, but the benefits you’ll reap from working with them should be able to justify the price of their commission.

Tip #2: Set the right price for your home.      

Price your home accurately with the help of your listing agent. If you’re working with an experienced agent who has sold a lot of listings in your area, he or she can help you look through and analyze comparable sales as well as prepare a comparative market analysis (CMA) or an estimate of value for your home. While it’s okay to compare the rates provided by apps and websites, it still pays to note the variances your real estate agent will identify.

Tip #3: Take home staging to the next level.

Home staging tends to boost your home’s appeal, and therefore, your selling power. Homes typically show better with about half of its furniture removed. If you’re looking to make little improvements to enhance the look of the space, painting usually does the job. A freshly-painted home gives off the idea that you didn’t lag behind on maintenance.

Tip #4: Host an open house.

Your home is a viable candidate for an open house if it’s located in an area that receives significant traffic. A good location is usually indicative that your open house will pull in interested parties.

Ask your agent about advertising your open house online. If you have hired a good agent, chances are the professional photos are part of their services. Professional real property photos get the right angle and are rich in depth and color, which makes them enticing.

Conclusion

Many real estate websites may make it seem as if selling your home is as easy as a few clicks of the mouse, but in reality, it entails plenty of time, effort, and learning. To get the most out of the sale of your home, work with reputable professionals and let them guide you through the process.