When you decide to put your home on the market, it’s natural to have some questions. You may be wondering how to increase the value of your home, or how to avoid common mistakes when you start searching for your dream home. One thing that is always true is, the real estate market is always changing. It doesn’t matter if you have sold several homes in your lifetime, or it’s the first time putting your house on the market, I can help you.
Here are some common questions and answers:
1. What should I expect when I put my house on the market?
Once you have you home listed for sale, the best of advice I can give you is to have realistic expectations. With the real estate market constantly changing, you need to remember that these market ups and downs will affect things like the price you can get for your home and the expected market time.
When you work with me, I promise to keep an open line of communication and keep you posted on any changes in the market that may affect your home sale. handle all of the marketing for your home and I’ll guide you through the process of showing your home. I also will help you with the negotiations when an offer comes in, and make sure your home closing goes as smoothly as possible.
2. Why should I use a REALTOR®?
As a REALTOR®, l belong to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). NAR is a nation-wide real estate trade association that requires all its members to follow a 17-article Code of Ethics. This means that I am required to have your best interests in mind at all times.
I will help you determine the best asking price for your home, market your home to reach potential buyers and help you negotiate the sale. I also help you with staging your home and adding curb appeal. I support my clients every step of the way and ensure that you receive the best service possible.
3. Should I put my home on the market while I’m trying to buy a new one?
Many consumers try to buy and sell their home at the same time. This is always an interesting balancing act. There are different opinions as to to whether you should search for a new home before selling your home or sell your home first. My answer for this depends on your personal circumstances and whether it’s a buyer’s market or a seller’s market. If it’s a buyer’s market, there are more homes for sale than there are potential buyers. A seller’s market is the opposite; there are fewer homes for sale, and buyers are often trying to buy the same house as each other because the demand for homes is so high. I will discuss all of this with you when we meet.
4. Should I stage my home?
Home staging helps potential home buyers envision themselves in your home. Homes that are staged properly often sell for more money, and are on the market for a shorter amount of time. So to answer this question in a word: YES. You should stage your home. I offer a complimentary staging consultation when you list your home with me.
5. Are there safety tips to keep in mind when putting my home on the market?
Opening your home up to strangers always creates some safety concerns, especially for first time home sellers. To help protect you from these risks, I recommend you do the following:
1. Never show a buyer the home by yourself. A REALTOR® should always be present.
2. Hide all of your valuables and electronics before any home showings or open houses.
3. Remove your mail, bills, and personal checks from places where they can be seen.
4. Look around your home after an open house to make sure everything is locked and in place.
6. What are some mistakes I should try to avoid?
For sale by owners who don’t work with real estate professionals open themselves up to many common mistakes when putting their home for sale. One mistake homeowners make is choosing to hold an open house by themselves. You are not only inviting strangers into your home (which can be a major safety concern), it is also very likely that those coming through your home may not be legitimate buyers. Working with a REALTOR® makes it possible to screen potential candidates before they enter your home, giving you the best chance of working with qualified buyers.
Another mistakes that sellers often make are: the pricing, negotiations, and closing issues. Some sellers set the price their home without consulting an area expert first. This means you could be pricing yourself too low and losing money on the deal, or pricing too high and not attracting any buyers. I will work with you on pricing, marketing, and negotiating with the buyer. In the long run, this will save you money and give you peace of mind!
