Tips For Selling Your House

17 May 2016
 Categories: Real Estate, Blog

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Putting your house on the market is a big step, regardless of the reasoning behind it. Whether you've purchased a larger home, or you're moving to a new area, the goal of any homeowner is to get the highest possible price that the real estate market will allow. In order to do that efficiently and effectively, there are a few ways to approach the matter, and it all starts with effective preparation.

Pre-Listing Essentials

Before you can sell your home, it must first be listed, but even before you take that step it's a good idea to get a few important things taken care of. Start by addressing any and all repairs that you might have been putting off until a later date, and keep track of any expenses involved. This might be a simple leaky faucet or the complete replacement of your HVAC system; either way, it's a good idea to retain those records for future use.

Pay special attention to aesthetics, especially where it concerns the outside of your home. The concept of "curb appeal" isn't just a real estate buzzword; it also has a tangible impact on potential buyers. Patch driveways, clean up flower beds or planters, repaint any surface that might need it, and replace worn or threadbare carpets where you're able. These touch-ups can have a huge impact on both how quickly your house sells and the initial appraisal value of the property.

Important Professionals to Contact

While there is no law that requires you to use a real estate agent to sell your home, doing so can give you access to a wealth of resources and expedite the process. Agents and their firm regularly make contact with prospective buyers on a daily basis, each of which is a potential opportunity. Further, any other professionals you'll need to process the sale of your home will be familiar to your agent, including real estate attorneys, financing firms for the buyer and appraisal services.

While it's perfectly fine to let your real estate agent handle the scheduling of your home's appraisal, it's also acceptable to use an independent service you've found on your own. All appraisers should use the same data to base their final valuation of your home on, but whether through reputation or referral, you may have a personal preference in mind. Getting this done prior to listing is not only a good idea, it's also a good way to ensure that you're not listing your home for more than its market value. Setting your asking price too high isn't just going to scare off buyers; it may also invite legal issues in some jurisdictions.

No matter where you live or the value of your home, getting your listing just right will greatly improve both the final sale price of the property and entice a larger number of buyers to consider it. Make it presentable and engage with the right professionals to ensure that the whole process goes as smoothly and as quickly as is possible.

For more information and advice, talk with a real estate agency in your area, such as Central Virginia Realty.