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| Guiding
Steps to Selling Your Home |
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So, you've decided it's time to sell
your home.... |
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to see a SOLD sign in your front lawn, there are many
things to consider before you get started.
Insuring a hassle-free sale requires preparation and an
understanding of the sale process. Whether this is
the first time you have sold a home or not, doing your
homework will make you a more educated seller and
eliminate surprises along the way.
After you have made the decision to sell,
following these steps will prepare you for the selling
process.
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Know
Where You Are Moving To
It may seem
strange that the first step in preparing to sell
your home is to determine where you are moving to,
but knowing the answer to this will provide you with
the security needed to complete the real estate
transaction. Possibly you are moving to a
second home, moving in with family, or you are
becoming a renter, then your plans are set and your
ready to move on to the next step.
But, are
you planning to purchase another home? If so,
will you be paying cash or will you be financing the
new home? Mortgage programs have gone through
many changes in the last several years.
Sitting with a trusted mortgage provider is a
valuable step.
Getting a pre-approval will confirm that
you are able to get a home loan and the amount of
the mortgage that you will be able to obtain.
Determine Your
Homes Equity
In order to determine your homes
equity, you will need to know a few pieces of
information. First, contact your current lenders and
find out how much you currently owe on your home.
Don't forget any equity loans, back owed taxes, or
association dues you may owe. Second, you will
need to determine the approximate
current market value for your home. Your
real estate professional can help with that.
Lastly, have a clear understanding of seller paid
closing costs and taxes that you will be responsible
for.
Hopefully, the
current market value is high enough to support
the money owed If not, a Short Sale will be
required.
Get Your Home Show
Ready-Prepare for Success
More and more sellers today are seeing the value of
investing in a pre-inspection on the property they
are preparing to list. Whether or not you are
confident in the condition of the home, an
inspection can either give us professional,
third-party validation, or reveal issues you should
attend to before listing your property – issues a
buyer inspection could surface later, making them
part of the final price negotiation.
Consider making repairs
or improvements to your home. While some home
improvements can be quite costly, others are quite
affordable and will truly maximize you appeal to
potential home buyers. Sometimes a small
investment of time and money will pay off nicely.
If you would like some help knowing how to make your
home show ready, request a "Room by Room Review", a
complimentary service I provide.
Even if you have
opted to forego updating, you must ensure that your
home is sparkling when potential buyers view it.
Clean the bathrooms and kitchen daily while the home
is listed for sale. Take a walk through your home
with the mindset of a potential buyer and try to
spot any problem areas. Cluttered garages or
basements are a buyer turn-off, so take some time to
de-clutter them, even if that means placing some of
your belongings into a temporary storage unit.
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Following these simple steps
will increase the chance that your home will sell quickly and
without any problems. Remember that attracting potential buyers
is as much your responsibility as it is your agent’s
responsibility. By presenting potential buyers with a home that
they will want to drive by repeatedly, you are increasing your
chances of receiving a great sale price.
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