So You Need To Sell Your Home. Where Do You Start?

Home Seller's Frequently Asked Questions

Well, if it’s time to sell your home, have we got answers for you! We’ll help you figure out your next steps of the home selling process so you can successfully get your home under contract as smoothly as possible.

How much needs to be done to my house before putting it on the market?

Many people get caught up here. They worry that everything must be perfect, new, and spotless, but this is not always the case. Talk with your realtor to understand what you must prioritize before listing in your market.

Remember: if a buyer wants everything perfect, they would be building a new construction home.

How much is my house worth?

This is a great and important question! Again, a realtor does this for a living. But you can start researching even before you meet with a realtor. Look at recently sold homes in your area with a similar size and year built as your house. This will help give you an idea or target listing price for going into your first realtor meeting. If you'd like to know how much your house might be worth click here.

When is the best time to sell my house?

Typically spring! Buyers are able to get out and look at properties and spring/summer is an easier time for a move. April, May, and June is when you will see homes go on the market, so be prepared if you plan to sell this year and get in touch with a realtor ahead of time. Now's the time to plan and get your house ready.

Should I price my home higher to leave room for negotiations?

This is a great question! In a financial mind, that strategy makes sense. But a well priced home will sell quickly and will sell for (hopefully) very close to the listing price. There is no need to over price the home for negotiations. Today’s buyers are very well educated on fair pricing and market value.

Should I have my home staged?

According to stagedhomes.com, homes that are staged sell 88% faster. They also report that 81% of buyers said a staged home is easier to visualize as their own, and 52% admit they are willing to pay more when they see a staged home. We can consult with you on staging, or we can recommend a local, professional stager if you’d like to hire one.

What happens if I’m not happy and want to cancel the contract?

The plan is to sell a home quickly and for top dollar, but that’s not always the case. Every state and contract is different, and if you decide to cancel the contract you could be responsible for paying any expenses incurred by the realtor or brokerage. As with any contract, read everything carefully before signing.

How should I respond to significantly low offers?

The worst option when a low ball offer comes in? Choosing to not respond to the offer at all. These offers can sometimes turn into a really successful sale of a home. Consider each offer, and remember that this is a business decision and not an emotional one! (Even though we know that can be really hard!)

Are there repairs that are mandated by a buyer or bank?

Yes, there definitely mandatory repairs. These are great questions because people can sometimes forget this. If a buyer is getting a mortgage through a bank, an appraiser will come to the home and assess the home for potential safety hazards and concerns. The buyer will declare a dollar amount that the seller is responsible for to cover bank required repairs. This all happens during the inspection timeframe of the contract. If you know of any repairs that need to be done now's the time to get those fixed before the house hits the market.

Should we include appliances in the sale or leave that negotiable?

A lot of times the appliances bought for one home will not look natural or match a new home, but the decision is ultimately up to the seller. Keep in mind that appliances are considered personal property so they do not add much value.