Selling Your First Home? Check Out These 5 Easy Steps!

Today’s real estate market is ready for you if you are looking to sell your first home. Selling your first house with confidence is easier than you might think after you check out these 5 easy steps on how to sell a home. 

1. Find a Real Estate Company to Help You Sell Your First House

Your first move should be to find a real estate company to help you sell your first house. It will be to your advantage to rely on an expert who knows what your home is worth in your area and how to price it to entice buyers. An experienced real estate agent will help you get as much money from your home as possible. Your real estate agent will be able to spot serious buyers and keep you from wasting your time with those who are not. Because agents know both sides of buying and selling a home, they are professionals at making correct counteroffers. That is why 80% of sellers report they were very happy with the results when real estate agents controlled the contract negotiations. 

There will be a ton of paperwork to process when selling your first home. You will save a lot of time when the real estate company is responsible for filling out all the forms involved correctly. Here again, because your agent knows both sides of buying and selling a home, they will know all of the legalities involved with the paperwork. 

Because they are in the business, a real estate agent will know how to make your home attractive to buyers. The relationships an agent has with photographers and home stagers will give them an edge on how to promote your home and the amenities it has to attract potential buyers. Real estate agents will also be your ally when you are selling your first home and buying your second. 

2. Before Selling Your First Home, Complete Home Improvements

Complete those home improvements before selling your first home to cash in on a higher asking price. You might like to have a home inspection done before hiring a real estate agent. A pre-home inspection will give you a jump on unexpected repairs before an inspector finds them and discourages the buyer with his discoveries. 

A real estate agent will advise you on what home improvements will bring the most bang for your buck. Solar panels, radiant heating, steam showers and professional kitchen appliances may be suggested for a higher rate of return. Home improvements can be big projects such as finishing the basement or as easy as repainting. New carpets will bring a fresh clean look to your home. Your agent will also bring to your attention the importance of curb appeal. Simple improvements like power washing the driveway, adding seasonal plants, and cleaning up garden beds will go a long way to make a good first impression

3. Price Your Home Competitively & Discuss the Price with Your Real Estate Agent 

Setting the selling price correctly is very important for selling your first home. Those who accurately price their home are more likely to sell it quickly. Interestingly enough, when an offer on a house happens within the first week, the home is often sold at or above the asking price. Do your own homework and research the value of homes in your area and what they are selling for now. The knowledge you gained by comparing the values of similar homes in your neighborhood will be helpful when you discuss the price with your real estate agent. Now is when a real estate agent will be a tremendous help for showing you how to sell your first home. Your agent is very familiar with the home values in your area and is an expert with pricing strategies. Your agent’s strategies can set the stage for a bidding war.

4. Staging & Marketing Are EXTREMELY Important for Selling Your First Home 

Staging and marketing are extremely important aspects of selling your first home. You will want to reach as many potential buyers as possible; and when they view your home they should be able to picture living in the house. When the room is tidy, clean, and free of personal items, potential buyers will be able to picture their things in the house. 

Potential buyers are very likely to have kids and pets as you do. If you remove extra toys, highchairs, and baby gates, buyers will be able to picture their own belongings in the home. Repair any damage pets may have caused and remove pet bowls and belongings. Your home will appear spacious and appealing even with simple staging techniques. An experienced real estate agent will have valuable staging and marketing strategies to implement. Depending upon your budget, time frame, and neighborhood, staging strategies can look different. Your agent may recommend professional assistance for staging and at other times, DIY projects will work fine. 

Staging will make photos of your home more appealing for your MLS (Multiple Listing Service) listing, allowing you to market your home effectively. Investing in a professional photographer will highlight the appealing aspects of your home and produce realistic, high quality photos. To up your home marketing tactic, you could schedule a video tour. Marketing when selling your first home would also include advertising across multiple channels and scheduling a variety of showings. There are several ways potential buyers will look for a home; they may surf the web, check publications, or look for yard signs. A broad marketing plan will reach more buyers. Remote showings, private tours and open houses will make it easy for buyers to view your home. 

5. Fulfill Closing Obligations & Welcome the New Homeowners! 

As a homeowner selling your first home, you may not be aware of possible glitches to closing the sale of your first house. Possible glitches could be: 

• When the buyers home inspection report has raised red flags - If too many repairs are deemed necessary, an interested buyer may walk away. You should be prepared to negotiate. 
  
• When the buyer’s appraisal comes below the loan amount - If this happens, the buyer will need to pay the difference in cash or walk away from the deal. 
  
• When the buyer’s financing falls through - A change in employment, missed credit card payments, or new debt can cause the buyer’s loan to be denied. 

Finding an experienced real estate agent (step #1) will be the foundation to the success of selling your first home. Your agent will continue to guide you through the final step of fulfilling your closing obligations and welcoming the new homeowners. 

Closing obligations include: 

• Completing repairs and obtaining any required certifications
• Submit property disclosures 
• Reviewing expected closing costs 
• Signing documents 
• Handing over the keys 
• Closing the transaction
• Move out 

Now you are in the position of buying your second home- Congratulations! You also now have a trusted advocate in your corner for selling your first home and buying your second with a real estate agent to watch your back and make sure the home buying process goes as smoothly as selling the first home. 

When you are ready to sell your first home, Landmark Realty is here for you. Landmark Realty and Auction is committed to building lasting relationships by looking out for your best interest when buying or selling a home. We are committed to equipping you with valuable information and assistance for all your real estate needs. With our help, you will get the most out of your home’s value and will sell your first home fast.