Tuesday, November 20, 2012

How to Sell Your Home in 8 Steps


Your Daily Real Estate Blog

From

Supreme Manor Real Estate Services

 

How to Sell Your Home in 8 Steps

 

Real estate agents may try to make you think selling an FSBO house is too hard, but if you're willing to put in a bit of time and effort, you can make the sale and save thousands in commissions. Here are the steps involved:

 

1. Do Your Research

Knowing the market is one of the keys to success. Learn sale prices of similar homes nearby and look at listings to determine which details you should include in yours. Your local newspaper is a good source of information, as are home sale prices listed online.

 

2. Price It Right

The price you set should be comparable to similar homes in your vicinity. If you set it too high, you may put off some buyers. If it's too low, buyers may think something is wrong with your house. If you're confused about pricing, hiring a professional appraiser can be money well spent. You don't want to go more than 10% over what a competent appraiser values the house at, even in a strong market. The right price is the key to a faster sale.

 

3. Get Your House Ready to Show

Keeping your house neat helps when a prospective buyer wants a tour right away. Before listing your house, consider doing cosmetic updates, such as a fresh coat of paint to rooms that look drab, and get rid of clutter to make rooms look more spacious. Keep the yard mowed and get rid of weeds.

 

4. List Your House

After you establish your price, list your property with a qualified realtor.  Remember 85% of buyers start their searches online, the internet and social media sites like Facebook are great for putting your listing in front of as many eyeballs as possible.  Make sure your realtor utilize these media.

 

5. It's Showtime!

Be flexible with allowing showings of your property. Sometimes you may have to do a showing on very short notice, so keeping the house tidy is a good investment of your time. Try to be scarce during homebuyers visit of your home.  Buyers feel restricted and intimidated when sellers are hovering around..

 

6. Field Offers and Negotiate a Price

You don't necessarily have to pounce on the first offer. When you set your asking price, be sure to remain flexible and consider all offers submitted. Counteroffers are generally expected. It's a good idea to only consider written, signed offers and to respond with a written counteroffer, acceptance, or rejection so that everything is documented. While negotiating on a handshake seems "nice," selling your house is too big a deal not to document everything in writing.

 

7. Sign a Purchase and Sale Agreement with a Buyer

You feel like all your hard work has paid off when someone makes an offer. Once you and a buyer agree on a sale price and any conditions of the agreement, you will both sign a sales contract. You should have an attorney look it over before you sign anything.

 

8. The Big Day: Closing

The buyer has arranged financing, you've fulfilled all your obligations in the sales contract, and closing has been scheduled. At closing, you will receive a check for the net price of the home after outstanding debts and fees. The buyer will receive the deed to the property along with keys, garage door openers, etc. Find out in advance if you will have to pay any legal fees or a commission to a buyer's agent on the date of the closing.

 

I hope this information is useful.

Should you need assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact Supreme Manor Real Estate Services 773-881-9224.  Feel free to visit us on our website or any of our social media sites.

Have a Supreme Day!

 

Sheila M. Wilkinson-Sanders

Managing Broker/Owner - CPA, GRI, CNC

Supreme Manor Real Estate Services

1840 West 95th Street

Chicago, IL 60643

(773) 785-0127 Direct

(773) 797-9640 (fax)


 

No comments:

Post a Comment