Last Updated on April 11, 2024
Society today has more mobility. People do not stay in the same home forever like our parents used to do. There are many reasons people sell their homes after a few years. Job changes, family size, a new development being built, or the dreaded financial hardship are just a few.
When you make the decision to sell, there are a few things you will need to consider. This is why it is a good idea to have a checklist for selling a house. You’ll cover the basics and remember things often.
Choosing between hiring a realtor and doing a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) will require different to-do lists. Either direction you choose will require planning to ensure a smooth transition.
Is selling a home in your immediate future? Keep reading for tasks that go on the ultimate home seller’s checklist.
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Why You Need a Checklist for Selling a House?
Home sellers need a checklist for selling a house because it helps them stay focused and streamlines the process. Whether you’re selling, buying or doing both at the same time, forgetting simple tasks can create delays.
If you are upgrading your lifestyle and a new home is already selected, it can be a very exciting time. But if you’re moving due to circumstances beyond your control, it can be a very stressful event.
Either way, emotions are involved, and you need a checklist to remain on task and get through the process without too many hiccups.
Hire a Realtor
Once you decide to sell your home, you will need to weigh the pros and cons of hiring a realtor or doing it yourself. Most people choose to enlist the services of a professional.
To choose the right real estate agent for your property, you’ll need to do some research. If someone you know recently sold a home, ask them for a reference.
Interview at least three agents before making a decision. It is best to go with an agency that has multiple agents in case you need to change agents.
Assess the Value of Your Home
Before you can place your home on the market, you will need to know its true value. You want to market your home at a price that will get buyers interested and bring in a good profit.
In cases where the home is in disrepair, or you need to get out quickly, understand that you can sell a house as-is. You may not make a big profit or any profit at all but the house will be sold.
If you are looking for options, you can always sell your house for cash with ExitNest.
Declutter
Before you place your house on the market it is a good time to declutter and depersonalize the space. People will be coming in to view the house and they need to be able to visualize it being their home.
Since you will be moving out once the home is sold, start removing things that won’t be going to your new space. Host a yard sale and make some cash.
Also, consider packing up personal items like pictures and memorabilia.
Make Repairs and Upgrades
Make a list of repairs and upgrades the home will need to increase its resale value. There are also things that will need to be done before your closing. Most homes can’t be sold with a bad roof, plumbing, or electric.
If you do these upgrades before placing the home on the market, chances are the expenses can be absorbed into the selling price.
Market Your Home
Once your home is on the market, there are things you can do in conjunction with the realtor to market the house. The first being word of mouth. Let people in your social circles know your home is on the market.
Take to social media and post flyers and the link to the realtor’s website where your house is listed. Talk to the realtor about home seller sites and new technology like 360 virtual tours and virtual home staging.
Host an Open House
At some point during the process, you will need to host an open house. If you’re lucky, you’ll only need to do one.
An open house is vital to selling a house. Homes are one thing, people, rarely if ever buy sight unseen. This is where decluttering and depersonalizing comes into play.
It is often best for the homeowner to leave the property during an open house. You do not want to hear the comments people make about your home. If there is a question the realtor can’t handle, she can call you.
Look for a New Home
If you don’t already have a new home in mind, it’s time to start looking for a new place to live. Someone could make an offer as soon as your house hits the market.
Selling a home fast is great but also could mean being displaced in temporary housing. If you sell your house the profit needs to go into your new home, not paying for a rental that requires a six to twelve-month lease.
Prepare for the Closing
The closing is probably the most stressful part of the home selling process. Even after you cross all your t’s and dot all your i’s, something can arise at the last minute to delay the process.
Stay on task and do everything the realtor tells you to do. Meet with the realtor and the mortgage company at least 5 days before closing to ensure everything is going smoothly.
Problems at closing can delay things for weeks or even months.
Sit Back and Relax in Your New Abode
Having the ultimate checklist for selling a house makes the process run smoother. When you experience a smooth closing, you can easily transition into your new home.
What’s great about the decluttering of your last home is that setting up your new space is much easier. As soon as you select a new place, begin imaging home designs for your new space.