Selling a home takes time. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done and there are multiple parties that get involved along the way. It’s not something that happens overnight.
It can be a long and complicated process. It often takes several weeks or months for a property to be sold. There are bound to be circumstances affecting the sale of your home that arise from time to time.
Approach them in a calm, rational manner and don’t let anxiety, uncertainty or doubt get the best of you. It can be stressful, but selling a home in Florida can definitely be done. Being proactive, responsive and having a good game plan will help you succeed.
Here are six key steps for selling a home:
1. Hire a realtor
You could sell your home by yourself if you wanted to. However, most people don’t have the experience or connections that professional real estate agents do.
Working with a realtor can take the stress and hassle out of your home sale. When you’ve decided to sell your house, schedule a meeting with a realtor.
Express your intentions. The agent will work with you on a plan to get your home sold in a timely manner.
2. Come up with an asking price.
Determining the right asking price for your property is one of the most difficult and most important parts of selling a home.
The price that you select should reflect the current value of the home. It should also be reasonable based on current market conditions.
Setting a selling price that’s too high could leave your home sitting on the market for many months. On the other hand, selecting a selling price that’s too low may have your fielding offers before you’re ready.
Do your homework before establishing a selling price. Work with your realtor to research other similar properties in your area. Find out what their asking prices were and what dollar amount those properties actually sold for. This can help you set a selling price that’s much more realistic.
3. Host open house showings.
Once your home is on the market, it’s time to let people know about it! You realtor will advertise the property for you. They will also schedule open house showings. Prospective buyers can then come in and review the interior and exterior of your home.
First impressions matter, so make your home presentable. Take some time to thoroughly clean the property before the first showing. It’s the perfect time to donate or get rid of any items that are unused or are things that you won’t be taking with you when you move.
Make sure to keep any photos or other personal possessions or any potentially sensitive information out of sight and out of reach. You shouldn’t be present for the home showings unless otherwise requested.
Talk to your realtor so that you know when each showing will occur so that you can make plans to be absent during those times. You may also want to make special arrangements for any pets that you may have.
Some of your guests may have allergies to pet dander or have other serious medical concerns. You should vacuum rugs and carpets and carefully clean walls, floors, cabinets and other heavily trafficked areas before and after each home showing.
4. Be prepared to field offers and negotiate.
After several open house showings, you may start to receive offers from interested parties. Take as much time as you need to review them.
Don’t feel like you have to accept the very first offer that you see. You may want to ensure that the prospective buyer can actually afford the home.
The last thing you want to do is to have an agreement in place only to have the buyer either back out or lack the necessary funds. This could force you to place your home back on the market again, which would take even more time and effort.
When you’ve found an offer that appeals to you, you can negotiate or you can accept the offer as is. Make sure that you get an agreement in writing so that both parties clearly understand their roles and responsibilities in the transaction. Read the agreement carefully and feel free to ask any questions that you may have before signing.
5. Schedule a home appraisal and a home inspection.
Once an offer has been accepted, you should ensure that both a home appraisal and a home inspection have been scheduled.
An appraisal will be conducted by an experienced appraiser. They will review the property and issue a statement with their estimated value of the home. A licensed inspector will conduct the home inspection. Both the home seller and home buyer should be present for the inspection.
The inspector will release a report with their findings. If there are any items that need to be repaired or replaced, you can discuss them with the buyer. You may negotiate to have the buyer pay for them, you could opt to pay for them yourself, or both parties could split the costs evenly.
6. Prepare for closing.
Closing is the final part of the process.
The buyer will meet with their realtor, usually at a title agent’s office. They will pay for their obligated closing costs, sign all final paperwork and receive the keys to their new home.
Paperwork will be filed with the respective county and state agencies, and you’ll be given a check for the sale of the property.
These are just some of the most important things to keep in mind when selling a house. Take care of your home before the sale. If you were already planning upgrades or renovations to your property, make sure they are completed before the home is sold.
Communicate with your real estate agent and any other relevant parties if issues or concerns arise. Keep an open mind and a positive outlook.
Your home will probably sell faster than you think. Someone else will get to make new memories in your home and you can move on with the next phase of life.
Questions About Selling Your Home?
If you have any questions about selling your home or property I am ready to help you choose the best path when you are ready to sell. You can reach David Rogers by Phone / Text @ 561.660.0154 or Message Me or request a Free Home Value.
My name is David Rogers, and I’m a licensed realtor who loves to provide high-level service. Please let me know how I can serve you!