Selling your family home is a time of excitement and sadness, and maybe even a little worry. There’s no guarantee it will sell quickly, or at all. But with a little prep, you can help it along.
Hire a Real Estate Agent
It’s easy, and practically free, to throw up a “For Sale” sign in your front yard and then just wait for buyers to find you. Tempting though that may be, you’re missing out on the many benefits of having an educated, knowledgeable expert on your side. Agents can help with pricing, service providers, and making sure your listing is seen.
Spruce it up a Bit
You can sell a home that needs a little work—there are plenty of people looking for fixer-uppers. But you stand a better chance of getting top dollar and selling quickly if you put in a little elbow grease to fix some of the more noticeable problems. Bigger problems, such as foundation issues or wiring or plumbing problems, should definitely be repaired as they can be total deal breakers.
The Highest Bid Isn’t Always the Best One
It’s tempting to leap at a high bid. But the sale still has to be approved by a mortgage lender. This requires an appraisal, and if the lender doesn’t think your home is worth that much, you could be starting the process all over.
Discuss all offers with your agent. A qualified agent can advise you on which offers stand the best chance of getting approved. A sure sale for less is worth more than one that disappears.
Lease the House Back Immediately
Do you already have somewhere else to live? If so, great! If not, make your sale contingent on the buyer letting you lease the home back for a few weeks to a few months, so you have time to find a new home. The breathing room will make everything easier.
Use Professional Photos
Whether your agent offers this service or you hire your own photographer, hire a professional real estate photographer to take photos of your home. These photos are the first impression that potential buyers will get of your home, and you want them to shine.
A little preparation before you sell will make the process faster, and easier, and ensure that you get top dollar for the home your family has lived in for so long. A seasoned real estate agent can help you determine where to focus your efforts if you’re not sure. The extra effort will pay off in the end.
2 Comments
I’m glad that you mentioned how real estate agents can help in pricing the house properly. My parents just moved to a retirement community so no one is occupying the family home at the moment. Rather than spend a lot on maintenance, I think it would be better if we’ll just sell it off to an interested buyer.
Great Blog! Thanks for sharing it. This blog would really help me in selling my old home in good price.