8 Steps to Selling your Home

Table of Content

1. Find a real estate agent
2. Evaluate the condition of your home
3. Repair your home
4. Prepare to list your home
5. Have your home listed
6. Show the home
7. Evaluate your offers
8. Close on the sale of your home

Find a real estate agent

Majority of people choose to have a real estate agent work with them to guide them through the selling process to make it easier and more available for buyers to find your home that you have for sale.

Evaluate the condition of your home

Most people looking to buy a home are usually aware that there may be some minor repairs needed, but there can be issues with the home that might deter a buyer away. This is why it is recommended to evaluate the condition of your home before having it listed. Items to assess are:

• Walls/Ceiling
  • Check for any leaking, water damage, or cracks in the ceiling.
  • Check for stains or discoloration of paint on walls.
  • Check for wallpaper that is peeling.
• Windows
  • Check for cracked window panes
  • Make sure all of the windows open and close correctly
  • Check that the windows locks/latches are working well
  • Check for holes in window screens
• Lighting/electricity
  • Make sure all lights turn on and off and all the switches work
  • Check to see if all the power outlets are functioning
  • Check for exposed wiring or electrical box that are damaged
• Water/Plumbing
  • Make sure there is no leaking of faucets, such as bathtubs, showers, and sinks.
  • Check the drain function
  • Make sure the toilets can flush
  • Check to see if all of your sinks and countertops are all sealed well
• Outside
  • Check for cracks or chips on your sidewalk, patio, or even your driveway
  • If you have gates or fences, check to see if there are any damage to them
  • Check your wood decks, railings, or supports for any damage to its structure

Repair your home

Make sure to repair items that may become a problem before buyers encounter them as red flags. To decide what to leave alone and what should be fixed, your real estate agent will be able to guide you. You should also consider getting a home inspection before you list to have the upper hand and show that that if there were any issues, you had already resolved it.

Prepare to list your home

Having a deep clean and decluttering your house can help you increase the appeal of your home to buyers. To create a capturing first impression, many sellers choose to have upgrades done to their home before listing. Here are a few tips of upgrades, if needed:

• Paint
  • Neutral and consistent colors throughout the walls
  • Touch up walls, doors, moldings, and frames
• Flooring
  • Clean carpet thoroughly
  • Replace worn carpet
  • Resurface hardwood floors
  • Refresh/replace area rugs, or remove them if the floor condition is more suitable
• Widows/Doors
  • Clean the glass both inside and outside
  • Clean all the screens
• Personal items
  • Remove personal items such as family photos
  • Organize, store, or pack away items
• Outside
  • Make sure the paint outside of the house is in good condition
  • Check to see if the lawn, flowers, garden, grass are orderly, and weeds have been removed
  • Items stored outside should be packed away
• Closets and cabinets
  • Declutter and start packing them up for your next move
• Furniture
  • If possible, open up the room by removing some of the furniture
  • Try to rearrange the furniture to stage the home and make it look more inviting

Have your home listed

You and your real estate agent with now have your home listed on the market. Although you might want to make the most profit, a home that is priced competitively on the market has a higher likelihood to sell faster. An overpriced property will likely stay on the market for a longer time.

• The price
  • Have your agent show you a Comparative Market Analysis, also known as CMA
  • Research the trend of the current market- if it’s a seller’s market vs a buyer’s market
    • In a Seller’s Market, you may get a higher offer for your home
    • In a Buyer’s Market, your listing price might need to be lower in order to appeal to buyers
  • Make sure you price in any repair costs that the buyers will need to have done
• Review the market listing
  • Check to see if everything is correctly written and all the details are accurate and disclosed
  • Make sure the listing emphasizes the home’s recent upgrades and features that are unique
  • Check the photography for the listing
  • Check with your real estate agent how your home will be advertised and marketed

Show the home

Now it is time to show your home. Make sure to have everything clean and tidy both inside and outside of the home, before every showing, so that you can make a best first impression.

Evaluate your offers

Once you start receiving offers, negotiation process begins. It is normal to have a lot of offers and counteroffers before the offer is finalized. It can take a lot of going back and forth before you your buyers finally come to an agreement.

• Prepare for offers
  • Determine your price rage and conditions that you are open to accept
• Review each offer closely
  • Check for contingencies that may cause your deal to fall through due to the discretion of the buyer
  • Make sure the buyers have their finances ready, pre-approval/prequalification, and proof of funds
• Compare the offers
  • Look for purchase price offer, contingencies, and the closing date
  • Make counteroffers, if needed

Close on the sale of your home

Once you have selected an offer, you start the closing process, which your real estate agent will help guide you through. You will also need to start the closing process with the Title Company. During this time, your buyers will need to make sure their mortgage is finalized. Once all of the paperwork is signed at closing, your home is now sold!