If you need to let your humble abode go, it’s best to know how to sell a house first. This is definitely a task that requires the utmost preparation because of the decreasing demand for housing.
In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this decline. With that said, there are certain methods that will help you sell your home quickly.
What Should I Do Before Selling a House?
First, you must know your reason why you want to place your home for sale. This will help you create your home selling plan, setting how soon you must close the sale.
For example, you can allow a few years for selling if you’re downsizing while your kids are in college. In contrast, your plan will become more urgent if you need quick cash for debt repayment.
Is it Hard to Sell a House on Your Own?
Selling houses have been typically grueling and time-consuming, so expect some struggle with your property. It’s particularly difficult if you’re doing it without professional assistance. You can still sell by yourself, but you’ll need to take time to learn the ropes.
Nevertheless, you must carefully weigh which option best suits your situation.
What’s more, the recent global pandemic has worsened the real estate market’s condition. People’s incomes have either decreased or disappeared, so most aren’t inclined to buy houses. This is one of the reasons why real estate demand dropped by 35% in early April. Several factors like this have caused unpredictability in house prices.
Nonetheless, you should ponder on selling your house during these times, as it could be a unique opportunity. In fact, some realtors recommend selling homes during this unprecedented virus outbreak.
People should take advantage of the improved prices while they last. In addition, you should know how to sell a house quickly and effectively.
What is the Fastest Way to Sell a House?
You could sell your property yourself, but it’s usually slower than assisted methods. As we’ve mentioned, you’ll take a significant amount of time learning the required skills.
It’s also tricky to set an asking price that’s fair for both you and the buyer. There are ways to effectively do it yourself, but you might take too long to reach your desired closing date.
You may spend less time selling your home by employing a real estate agent or listing on certain websites. Agents may charge a hefty sum, but they have the expertise needed to quickly sell homes.
On the other hand, you may include your property in listing sites that connect you to more potential buyers. Regardless, you should mull over both options and determine which one is best.
Find a Real Estate Agent
Some homeowners sell their properties by themselves in order to avoid paying for a real estate agent. However, their services are indispensable in quickly closing home sales. With that said, you should check if you should hire a real estate agent.
While you can do it yourself, their expertise and connections may greatly help in selling your home. Nevertheless, you should follow ways of finding real estate agents who truly know how to sell a house.
First, a buyer’s agent must have the best qualifications. Make sure they are accredited by the National Association of Realtors, America’s largest trade association. Their members closely adhere to their code of ethics, making sure their agents work in their client’s best interests.
Ask for Referrals
Talk to your friends and relatives who made recent real estate transactions. Find out who they can recommend helping you sell your home.
They’ll tell you their experiences with various agents and companies, laying out your possible options. More importantly, they may rant about the disappointing ones you should avoid.
Once you’ve listed your prospects, you should set a meeting with these agents. Discuss your plans with them, and listen to their recommendations. They will set up a presentation that explains their sales plan and elaborate on other relevant information.
Find the Right Agent for You
Meet with various candidates and scrutinize them, so you can find the best one to assist you.
Moreover, you should interview them by asking the necessary questions. The most important ones revolve around agent commissions and past sales. Ask how much they usually charge and check the other properties they have sold then.
Additionally, you should confirm your agent’s schedule fits yours, so you can meet easily when necessary. The last step in this method on how to sell a house is reading the agent’s contract. Make sure to read the document thoroughly in order to understand each clause.
Ask all questions regarding the stipulations, so you’re completely clear about the agent’s contract. If you’re satisfied with their terms, sign the agreement to start selling with your agent.
List Your Home
On the other hand, you may include your home in your local Multiple Listing Service. An MLS is a database that lists properties included in your local real estate market, much like online job portals. These are often restricted from regular homeowners though.
Fortunately, you may find ones that allow more people to list their dream homes for sale. You can also post your house for sale on social media. Some of these sites even provide a specialized platform for this purpose.
However, you will have to learn how to effectively promote your home and set its sale price by yourself. Also, you’ll have to learn how to stage your home in order to persuade potential buyers.
Stage Your House
Whether you’re employing an agent or posting on an MLS, you should know how to stage your house. This refers to the preparation of your home so it is ready to sell. You can’t just list your home, let it sit on the market, and call it a day.
Open houses for sale must be aesthetically pleasing to entice visiting buyers.
If you’re working with an agent, they will usually have their own home staging team. After all, they recognize that this is a crucial step on how to sell a house. Their crew will perform a home inspection and deep clean your home for staging.
They will even have a designated photographer who will prepare its natural light and take promotional photos of your home.
You can stage your home by yourself if you’re selling a home without assistance. The Real Estate Staging Association provides guidance on how to stage a home for sale. The tips lay out the many steps in preparing homes for sale, and they even have specific tips for each room.
What’s more, they list the steps in choosing the best professional stager for your home.
Summary
There are now several ways you can sell your home. You may do it yourself or hire a professional to save time and effort. Either way, you should learn all that you can about each option before using them.
There are so many free online resources that can help you understand how to sell a house.
