When you’re preparing to put your home on the market, hire a real estate agent to help guide you through the process. As a seller, you are hoping to make a substantial profit and have a smooth sales transaction. Here are a few tips about how to sell a house.
Find a Real Estate Agent to Work with When You’re Selling a House
A knowledgeable real estate agent will help your sale go smoothly. Your agent knows the local area and can help you determine a fair asking price. He or she has the experience to assist with paperwork, including negotiations and contracts.
Ask friends for recommendations or search for an agent online. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Learn how they plan to market the property, what fees they charge, and ask for references.
Order a Home Inspection
A home inspection is not a required part of the selling process, but you should examine the benefits of a pre-listing inspection. When you order an inspection before listing the home, your inspector will go over any defects or safety hazards found and provide you with a report.
You can then discuss with your real estate agent and decide what items to repair or replace. A pre-listing home inspection will put a buyer’s mind at ease. You’ll also be able to handle problems and safety concerns before they are discovered during the buyer’s inspection.
Improve Curb Appeal to Sell a House
Talk to your real estate agent about the best way to make improvements around the house and enhance curb appeal. A potential buyer’s first impression is critical, so take time to clean up the yard, mow the grass, and patch holes in the driveway. Add flowers or greenery in pots on the porch. Fresh mulch will make your flower beds look well-kept. Pressure-wash the exterior of the home and touch-up the paint.
When Working to Sell a House, Stage it
Staging your home helps to create a picture of what the home might look like when occupied. If the home is empty, the rooms feel impersonal and it’s harder to visualize living there. If you are still living in the home, it can difficult for a buyer to see past your style and design choices.
Reduce clutter by minimizing your personal belongings to present an image of a well-maintained home. Buy fresh flowers to display. Add a few pieces of neutral art to the walls and a cozy throw blanket on the couch so the buyer will be able to picture themselves living comfortably in the home.
Appalachian Inspection Services provides pre-listing home inspections to Western North Carolina. If you’re selling a home, contact us to schedule an appointment.