Your Guide to Selling a Home

Selling a Home

For most people, their home is their largest financial asset, and deciding to sell it is a big decision that involves a lot of preparation and work. Homes101 offers home selling resources and the opportunity to connect with an experienced real estate professional to handle the details involved in the successful sale of a home for top dollar.

10 Steps to Selling a Home

1. Determine How Much Your Home is Worth
   The asking price you set is the key to selling your house quickly and making the most profit. The weight of this decision is critical to a successful sale. A comparative market analysis (CMA) prepared by a local real estate professional will show you recent nearby sale prices of houses like yours, the asking prices of current competitive listing and even the asking prices of comparable neighborhood houses which didn't sell.
2. Estimate your Costs to Sell
   Before you make the final decision to sell your house, be sure to consider the costs you will incur before, during and after the process. In a real estate transaction, the seller is responsible for the cost of certain expenses such as house inspections, surveys, paying the portion of yearly expenses such as property taxes and/or association fees during the period of time you live in the home. Additionally, check to make sure you don't have a prepayment penalty for paying off your mortgage early that would deduct from your final proceeds from the sale.
3. Choose the Right Time to Sell
   Most people prefer the spring or summer months to move. So the market can start heating up as early as February. This is especially true of families with children, so they can move during the summer vacation and be settled before the new school year starts. The market can still be busy into the fall. But traditionally November and December have been the slow months. The holidays are the primary reasons, but also, because most people do not like showing their houses in the winter months.
4. Align yourself with an Expert
   If you're ready to get serious about putting your house on the market, this is a great time for you to have an expert by your side to be your partner and sounding board, protect your interests, and make the selling process as convenient as possible, saving you time and money. Find a qualified real estate professional to assist you with selling your home.
5. Home Loan Pre-Approval
   If your buying a new home while trying to sell your current one, you'll have to complete a new home loan pre-approval process. In addition to determining the best loan for you and current interest rates, you'll want to be pre-qualified to know what price range you can consider and any implications that may result should your current home not sell as quickly as you hope. Aligning yourself with a trusted mortgage representative early on will allow you to plan for special financing options so that you don't miss out on your dream home.
6. Prepare and Repair your Home
   In an effort to boost curb-appeal, most houses need a little improvement and repair before they go on the market. Key strategies for staging a home to sell include removing clutter and personal items. Consider making easy repairs before you put your house on the market. Potential buyers will flick switches, turn appliances on and pull back rugs, so if something doesn't work or needs repair, fix it. Make sure your home has "curb appeal" by keeping your yard tidy. If your house looks dull or spaces look too small, painting may be the most economical investment you can make before you sell your house. Most importantly, really clean your house before you show it. It's simple and free, and it can make all the difference in the world.
7. Develop a Marketing Strategy
   A local real estate professional will help you determine a competitive and fair price for selling your house, create a customized marketing strategy with details about what methods of advertising will be imployed to attract buyers to your house and a negotiating strategy for when you start to receive offers.
8. Receive an Offer
   Receiving an offer on your house, accepting it and signing a purchase agreement is a huge step; it should not be taken lightly. Don't find yourself agreeing to something you don't want - make sure you know what it is you're signing. Remember all offers are contingent on certain conditions, so be sure you know what the buyers contingencies are and the time limits that have been placed on each condition. Real estate transactions are complicated and translating the legal documents can be challenging. It's never too early to start working with an expert.
9. Negotiating to Sell
   EVERYTHING is negotiable. When it comes to a purchase offer, everything from the purchase price to the washer and dryer is negotiable. When you receive an offer to purchase, be sure to know exactly what the buyer is asking for and what you are willing to negotiate. Most home buyers are expecting a counter offer from the seller, so don't shy away from rejecting the first offer you receive. It's never too early to start working with an expert who will ensure fair negotiations and protect your best interests during the process of selling your house.
10. Closing
    Congratulations! You've accepted an offer on your home and all that's left is the official signing of the legal documents. Once a closing date has been set, your title company will contact your mortgage company to take care of payoff procedures. An official survey of the home will be done. You will need to make repairs that were agreed upon from the inspection. And finally keys will be exchanged, documents will be signed and funds will be transferred on the day of closing. Most closings can be hassle-free if you have the right people working on your side.