How to Sell Your House: Your Complete Home Sellers Guide

Every home sale is different, most transactions follow the same order of events. Knowing these various stages and what to expect can help home sellers throughout the home purchasing process. Going into the process with open eyes can reduce stress and make the process more enjoyable. If you're a homeowner who would like to sell your home, here's what you need to know.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Find a Real Estate Agent

When it comes time to sell your house, you may be feeling overwhelmed. One of the best ways to ease the burden of selling your home is by choosing the right real estate agent to assist with the sale. An experienced professional can help guide you through each stage of the process and provide valuable insight into what will attract potential buyers, what paperwork you'll need, and even expertise on niche instances like how to sell your house while buying a new one.

Having someone there to walk you through every step of the way will give you peace of mind, knowing that your interests are being looked after. In addition, having an expert advocate on your behalf when negotiating contracts and other agreements will save you time, money, and hassle down the line.

Home Staging and Improvement

First impressions count. That's why it's important for you to stage your home like a pro so that potential buyers can envision themselves living there. This process starts with a thorough cleaning and may involve repairs or updates before showings begin. When the home is in great shape, touches like lighting and furniture can help potential buyers envision themselves living in the home. You want to create an environment where people feel welcomed as soon as they walk in.

Fixing up the small details can go a long way in helping to get top dollar for your house. Assess your home's curb appeal by checking windows, shutters, doors, and other architectural features to ensure they look sharp. If you can, take care of any minor roof damage and repair gutter issues if necessary.

Inside the home, pay attention to flooring—consider putting down fresh carpet or refinishing hardwood floors—as well as plumbing fixtures, which may require updating with newer models. When inspecting walls and ceilings, be sure to patch any cracks or holes from nails used for wall hangings.

Finally, evaluate replacing dated light fixtures or ceiling fans if the current ones appear outdated. Thoughtful updates can help you get more for your home as it appears more move-in ready to potential buyers. Your real estate agent can help advise you on where to focus your attention for the best return on your investment when it comes to repairs.

Fixing up the small details can go a long way in helping to get top dollar for your house. Assess your home's curb appeal by checking windows, shutters, doors, and other architectural features to ensure they look sharp. If you can, take care of any minor roof damage and repair gutter issues if necessary.

Inside the home, pay attention to flooring—consider putting down fresh carpet or refinishing hardwood floors—as well as plumbing fixtures, which may require updating with newer models. When inspecting walls and ceilings, be sure to patch any cracks or holes from nails used for wall hangings.

Finally, evaluate replacing dated light fixtures or ceiling fans if the current ones appear outdated. Thoughtful updates can help you get more for your home as it appears more move-in ready to potential buyers. Your real estate agent can help advise you on where to focus your attention for the best return on your investment when it comes to repairs.

Set a Realistic Price

Setting a realistic price for your home can be like walking an invisible tightrope. Too high and you're likely to scare away potential buyers, while too low may leave money on the table. To get the listing price right, look into what similar properties in your area have sold for within the last year or two. You should also consider current market trends and any local events that might influence the value of homes in your neighborhood.

When pricing your property, it's important to remain flexible as well. Buyers are often looking for negotiating room, so if you list slightly above your intended sale price, there's wiggle room when offers start coming in. Be sure to monitor home prices regularly so you don't miss out on changes in the market—both upswings and downswings—that could affect how much you ask for. Your real estate agent can also help you price your home appropriately for your local market.

Market Your Home

Marketing your property is key to a successful sale. You want potential buyers to come view the home, so you need to maximize the exposure of your listing on various channels. Start by working with an agent to create an attractive listing with high-quality pictures that showcase your house's best features. Be sure to include all relevant details like square footage, number of bedrooms, and bathrooms, as well as any extras like a garden or pool space.

You should also consider discussing an open house with your real estate agent. This can create further buzz around your home and attract more prospective buyers who haven't seen your listing yet. Your listing agent usually continues to market the home until you receive an offer from a buyer.

Negotiate Sales Terms

Once you have identified a buyer for your home, the negotiation process begins. Negotiating can be intimidating, but if you stay focused and consult with your agent, negotiating the sale of your home can be a breeze.

To ensure that you don't lose sight of your goal—getting the best deal possible on the sale of your property—it helps to establish an organized plan before entering into negotiations. Researching current market conditions and comparing similar properties in your area will give you an idea of how much buyers may be willing to pay for your home. This information should serve as a starting point when making decisions about price, closing costs, repairs, and other details related to the sale of your property.

How to Field a Purchase Offer

The purchase offer is a contract that includes the price of the home, the condition of the property, the buyer's financial information and details about the escrow period. Sometimes a seller will accept a buyer's offer without negotiating any details, but often the seller will attempt to negotiate changes to price or other details. This a crucial part of the home selling experience, so it's helpful to have an experienced real estate agent assist with negotiating the deal.

What Is the Escrow Period When Selling a Home

The escrow period is the period that begins as soon as the purchase offer has been accepted by both parties. It's at this point that the buyer writes a check for "earnest money." Earnest money is a deposit that is held in an escrow account until the home buying process is finalized. If the home buyer backs out of the purchase without cause or reason not laid out in the contract, the earnest money may be given to the seller. When the home sale is finalized, the earnest money becomes a part of the down payment.

During the escrow period, the seller packs and gets ready to leave their home. The new owners may also take the time to inspect the home and request the home seller make home improvements as needed. The escrow period typically lasts for a month, though it can take longer. Unless the home purchase is canceled by one of the parties, escrow ends when the house has been purchased and the contract to purchase closes.

Finalize the Close

Once you've successfully negotiated the sale of your home, there are only a few remaining loose ends to tie up before you can officially complete the close.

• Obtain and review the closing paperwork
• Schedule an inspection prior to signing
• Make sure any repairs have been completed
• Sign off on any outstanding contracts or documents needed for the completion of the deal
• Provide all keys and remotes associated with the property upon closing

Once these tasks have been accomplished and all parties have signed the paperwork, you're ready to hand over ownership of your home. When preparing for closing day, make sure you understand what documents must be signed and when they will be due, and be prepared in advance so that everything runs smoothly. Finally, take some deep breaths and enjoy knowing that, soon enough, this chapter will be officially closed and a new one awaits.

Ready to Sell Your Home?

If you're a homeowner who would like to sell your home soon, contact a real estate professional. Your real estate professional can help you through the home selling process by suggesting a competitive home price, negotiating the home sale and by walking you through the sale process. For more information, contact a real estate agent today.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.