The Real Estate Home Selling Process Explained

Buckle up, because I am also letting you know

WHAT OTHER REALTORS DON’T TELL YOU

There are some things that you need to know before going through the home selling process, and one of them is how much work it can be. You may be surprised by the buying process’s complexity, but don’t count on it being any easier when you’re selling your home. Unfortunately, the home selling process is just as complicated and daunting. Things can get overwhelming quickly if they aren’t done correctly from start to finish!

The Home Selling Process

The home-selling process is similar to buying one in many ways. It has its own set of steps and moving pieces, but if you remember how it felt when acquiring your first property then maybe this will help prepare for what’s ahead with selling!

Why Do You Want To Sell

You may be thinking that selling your home is an emotional decision, but don’t let it get in the way of making sure you are ready. Be clear on what’s important and make a list with non-negotiable items before committing to anything else – this will help avoid any future regret once all those other things start coming up!

Market Trends

When deciding the right time to sell your home, you must be aware of the real estate market in your area. Research hyper-local pricing trends and how quickly homes are entering and leaving the market in your neighborhood. This will help to ensure you get the most money possible and future negotiations are backed by market research.

Researching the best time to sell your home can be tricky. There are many factors that impact when people list their properties, including seasonality and trends in each market you’re interested in selling into – but there’s no one-size fits all answer! To get an idea of what may work well for YOU as a seller with different needs (eagerly waiting on THAT someday sale vs looking at off-market listings), take advantage of some free online research at sites like Zillow or Trulia; utilize their maps and economic reports for recent local sales data, comparable homes, and the demand for homes in your area for starters.

Find the right agent

You’ve bought a home so you understand how stressful that can be, it’s no different when selling it. Like buyers, sellers want to make sure that their best interests are being served by an agent who will work hard on getting them what suits THEM most! The first step of this journey starts with asking friends, family members or coworkers if anyone can recommend somebody before browsing through websites and interviewing potential candidates in person. On the flip side, just because an agent was able to perform well on your sister’s sale doesn’t mean the same agent is right for your unique situation. Interview more than one agent!

What other realtors won’t tell you: “I’m using your house to sell myself.”

Stories about the houses you sell are great, but agents should focus on selling your home instead. Homes with photos in magazines or direct-mail pieces won’t get buyers excited for what’s inside; they’re just another way of marketing themselves!

Sellers should ask an agent how long their recent listings stayed on the market before selling, and compare that to neighborhood’s history of sales. You should also look at other statistics such as average listing prices or sale speeds before making your decision.

Pick a competitive listing price

Pricing your home correctly can be the single most important factor when selling your house. While it’s tempting to price low to try and bring multiple offers, that strategy can backfire quickly for many reasons. Overprice taking advantage of the low inventory and high buyer demand and you risk it not selling and becoming stale. This is a daunting process even for skilled professionals.

What other realtors won’t tell you: You are overestimating

As stated earlier, this is your home. Every scratch on the wall, drawing in a closet, and birthday growth chart in a door frame is a memory. This sentimental attachment can inflate your perceived value. An agent worth their salt will tell you this and then walk you through a market analysis so you can price your house, not your home, appropriately. 

Devise a marketing plan

The best listing agents know how to market their listings in order attract potential buyers. One of the most important strategies for this, as with all things related to real estate sales and marketing campaigns–is investing time into preparing professional photos that will make any home stand out. Sellers should also get involved in their own promotion process by opting for virtual tours or tapping into networks that can find interested buyers. According to MLS statistics, homes with professional photos sold 68 percent faster than those without.

What other realtors won’t tell you: Self-Promotion is Everything

You may find yourself bored with the same old bus station or Facebook ads that keep listing off apartments, but they’re an essential part of landing clients.

Marketing a property for sale requires heavy promotion including everything from direct mail, email marketing, website marketing, search engine marketing, social media, public relations and old-fashioned, pick-up-the-phone and dial broker after broker after broker until we locate a buyer.  My team and I utilize each and every one of the marketing techniques listed here including going down the list..

Give your property a makeover

Your home may be a sanctuary, but it’s not immune from the demands of buyers. Take time before selling your property to rejuvenate and refresh its appearance by providing fresh paint or other updates like decluttering excess items that don’t belong in someone else’s life. 

Giving an already cluttered space less clutter makes roominess feel larger than before; limit personalized effects unless specifically asked otherwise

What other realtors won’t tell you: Your Buyer is More than Likely a Millennial

Millennials aren’t drawn to large, ornate houses; rather, they prefer smaller, modern, more casual abodes with minimalist designs. Desired amenities include: multi-functional rooms like a guest bedroom that can aso be used as a home office or workout area, outdoor spaces including outdoor kitchens, decks, and gardens, environmentally friendly elements like energy-efficient appliances and sustainable materials. And they are moving to the burbs. 

Prepare for open houses and private showings

The listing agent is your partner in preparing for open houses. They will show the property professionally and keep you up-to date on potential buyers’ interest through phone calls, emails or other means of communication