Selling a house nearly always seems like a daunting task, however, when selling your first home it may seem even more so. Selling a house is actually fairly simple and if you follow this guide should be fairly stress-free! Whether you’re selling a home on Camano Island or anywhere, this checklist is a good place to start.
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Find a Listing Agent – This is arguably the most important step to any home sale. It is recommended to do your research and meet with at least three agents prior to settling on your final choice. Ask friends and family for recommendations, do your research, and ask to see references and reviews, however, ultimately always go with your gut! Be sure to read over your listing agreement very carefully so you fully understand all the owed commissions and get any questions you may have answered.
Find Your Home Value – You should always list your home for its actual value and not over or under its market price as this could defer potential buyers. Make sure to have a comparative market analysis report completed so you can see what other similar homes in the area have sold for.
Prep for the Sale – Once you have a list price sorted it is time to start cleaning and getting your home tour ready. De-clutter as much as possible, clean up the front yard to up your curb appeal, and fix any necessary repairs. You only get one first impression for potential buyers, so be sure to wow them!
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Market – Discuss any key selling points with your agent so you can get a game plan and know which features to highlight in order to attract more buyers. Your agent should present you with a marketing plan, discuss where the home will be listed, any signs that may be posted, etc. Also, be sure to hire a reputable real estate photographer to photograph your home so that your online listings look both professional and presentable to online buyers.
Showings – In order to sell your home faster be as flexible as possible when it comes to tours. Make sure our home is tour ready at all times and if a tour is requested, be ok with a last-minute trip to Starbucks so potential buyers can tour your home. Should you schedule an open house, be sure to ask your agent for feedback from attendees and use that to improve any “problems” that buyers may have noticed.
Receive Offers and Negotiate – As long as you have priced your home properly, you may receive multiple offers. Should this happen, be ready to counteroffer and negotiate with potential buyers. You can always discuss negotiations with your agent and they can help you through the process.
Now that the offers are starting to come in, the first phase of selling your house is complete. The next half of selling our home will include a lot of paperwork and inspections. Your agent will be able to help guide you through the process ensuring that you have a successful sale that is as stress-free as possible.
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To find a qualified real estate agent, to discuss selling your home, or for more information please feel free to contact my office at any time.
STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 NEXT WEEK
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