Regardless of your reason for selling, the process can be stressful and emotional. However, being prepared will reduce the amount of stress you feel since you will have an understanding of the process. Read this Home Selling Guide for a glimpse into what you can expect when selling your home in Houston, Texas.
Consider Your Plan for Selling
Before you take any other steps toward selling your home, you need to answer some serious questions to determine how and when you will sell your home
Consider the following:
Why do you want to sell?
Are you ready to sell?
How much effort can you afford to put into selling?
What is your timeline for selling your house?
Decide Who Will Sell Your House
The most important decision you will make in selling your house is who will sell it. In most cases, it’s best to work with a real estate agent because they understand the ins and outs of the market. They will also save you the headache of managing the selling process yourself.
Price Your Home Competitively
It can be challenging to find the right listing price for your home, but it is extremely important since accurately priced homes are more likely to sell in a timely manner.
Your real estate agent will understand the nuances in the Houston housing market that affect your asking price and will deliver a pricing strategy to generate the most interest for your home.
Complete Home Repairs and Improvements
It is helpful to work with an agent on this step because they will know what repairs and improvements will increase your home’s chances of selling at the asking price. An agent can also help you decide whether bigger repairs or renovations will be worth your investment.
It is important to identify all necessary improvements, so you can have plenty of time to complete them before listing.
Stage Your Home to Sell
Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring professionals, staging your home for buyers is a great way to stand out from other listings.
Though it varies by the home, proper staging includes arranging furniture, organizing spaces, and decorating rooms in a way that appeals to the widest range of potential buyers.
Market and Show Your Home
Once your home is ready for showing, the next step is to get your listing in front of as many buyers as possible.
If you are working with an agent, then your responsibilities during this step are limited to keeping your home presentable and being ready to leave the home for showings. Your agent will do the rest!
Your agent will invest in professional photography, write listing descriptions that entice buyers, advertise the home on several online platforms (including the MLS), and schedule showings with potential buyers.
Entertain Offers and Watch Out for Hurdles
Your agent will help you select the best offer and negotiate a great deal. When you get an acceptable offer, be vigilant of potential hang-ups between the time you accept the offer and the closing day.
Some of these hurdles include: bad inspection reports, low home appraisals, buyer financing failure, etc. Your agent will do their best to prevent these issues from happening and will help you get through them if they do occur.
Move Out
Moving can be expensive and can catch you off guard if you didn’t plan for the costs. It is best to add a line item for moving when you’re planning your budget.
If you plan to buy after selling your home, consider temporary housing, so you don’t have to worry about selling and buying at the same time.
Fulfill Your Closing Obligations
Once you’ve found a buyer and the deal is made, there are usually a few housekeeping items you must take care of before the sale is complete. Some of these tasks include completing repairs, obtaining certifications, and submitting various paperwork.
The last step in the closing process is to attend the closing appointment to sign legal documents, pay off the remaining mortgage balance, pay closing costs, and confirm receipt of the buyer’s payment!
Ready to Sell?
If you’ve read this entire article, then you are serious about selling. Contact Keith E. Ford at 832-788-7037 to learn more about selling in Houston!
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