Critical Steps to Selling a House Explained for First-Time Sellers

When selling a home, 89% of owners worked with a real estate agent.

As a first time seller, you may not realize the advantage of working with an agent, but there's a lot more that goes into selling a home than many people realize. Working with an agent will ensure that the selling process goes smoothly because they can walk you through the steps. 

Follow this guide and learn the steps to selling a house.

Hire an Agent 

You don't want to just hire any agent. You need to hire someone who has extensive knowledge of the area. You also want to make sure you and your agent work well together. If you love modern technology and social media, then finding an agent who understands their value will help you market your home better. 

You can look up potential agents online to get a feel for their approach and others' experiences with them. Check out how they market their current listings to see how they will treat your home. 

Create a Timeline 

From the time you decide to sell to signing the contract, it can take a few months to sell your home. Once you find an agent, they can work with you to create a timeline of tasks that need to get done. 

This could include getting a pre-sale inspection, making necessary repairs, taking photos, and listing your home. Before you decide to start renovating your home, speak with your agent. 

Some upgrades are worth the money; others are money pits. Your agent can help you decide what changes are worth the investment. 

Prepare Your Home 

Your next step is to prepare your home for sale. Now is the time to give your home a fresh coat of paint and clear out the clutter. 

You should also remove any personal items. You want potential buyers to imagine themselves living in the home. They can't do this with pictures of your family staring back at them.

Once you've prepped your home, you'll want to take pictures to put in online listings. Professional photos will make your home look its best to potential buyers. 90% of buyers start their home search online, and 89% of buyers say that quality photos are "very useful" in their search. 

List Your Home 

Discuss with your realtor what a realistic asking price is. This is critical because if you go too low, you cheat yourself out of potential profit. Go too high and you'll stagnate your home's sale. 

Your agent will then market your home to draw in potential buyers. 

Negotiate the Sale and Close 

Once an interested buyer makes an offer, your agent will guide you through the closing process. This will involve the buyer making a good faith deposit, having an inspection performed, negotiations, and then coming to an agreement. 

The final step is to sit down and sign the closing documents. Plan to pay an attorney for the preparation of the deed. You'll also need to pay the prorated taxes, your outstanding mortgage, and your realtor's commission. 

Follow These Steps to Selling a House

By following these steps to selling a house, you'll have a smooth experience and have your home sold before you know it. This will leave you free to buy your next dream home. 

Contact our team today and let us help you sell your home.