Deciding to sell your home is a big deal and a choice you likely did not make lightly. With countless memories and the time, money, and effort you've spent making it feel unique to you will make it hard to let go. However, if selling is the right decision for you and your family, you want to do it the smart way. Following this guide will help you achieve the rewarding outcome you are hoping for.
Prepare Your Home for Sale
Make a List of the Things You Love About Your Home
There's a reason, likely many reasons, why you purchased your home and will miss when you leave. Take the time to write down the things you enjoy and will miss when the sale is complete. It is very likely the potential buyers will see value in these items as well, and you will want to highlight these items in your listing and when staging.
Compile the Facts
Take the time to compile all information a potential buyer will want to know about your property—taxes, lot size, utility costs, and other pertinent information. It's always a good idea to have this information ready for your real estate agent.
Document Recent Repairs
Your home will be more attractive to potential buyers if they see that you have been steadily working to improve its value. There is great appeal to buyers knowing they can purchase a home that won't need a lot of additional investment to bring it up to their standards. Have a list of repairs and dates when they were completed for your agent to include in your listing.
Hire a Building Inspector
Hiring an inspector to complete a pre-inspection before placing your home on the market will inform you of any potential problems to address. After all, most buyers will request a home inspection in their conditions. If the inspection shows too many repairs required on the report, they may get "cold feet" and walk away from the deal. By taking care of these issues in advance, you can ward off these potential problems before an interested party ever steps foot in your home.
Sell Your House in 10 Steps:
1) First, Find a Local REALTOR® that is Right for You
The right real estate agent will serve you, not themselves. They will look out for your interests, list your house using the latest marketing techniques, and negotiate the best deal possible for your property.
2) Outline a Plan
Make the most of the time leading up to your home sale. First, if you have an idea of when you want to list your house, break your to-do list into manageable bite-size pieces. Then, work with your REALTOR® to prioritize these to give you the focus you need to get everything done on time.
3) Declutter
Pack up anything you can live without until your home sells. Then, store it away until you get into your new home.
4) Tackle Repairs
Review the home inspection report, ask your agent where your fix-it dollars will do the most good.
5) Deep Clean
Scrub every surface until it shines. Then, hire a professional to make carpets and rugs look and smell new again.
6) Set the Stage
Create a welcoming space that invites buyers to see your house as their own with these tips.
7) Stay Organized
A tidy home is non-negotiable. Buyers shouldn't have to see past your clutter. Clean up the kid clutter and stow away pet supplies. Throw the appliances that aren't used every day in the kitchen cabinets, and do the same in the bathrooms. Toss any personal items in the drawer to keep them out of sight.
- Add Extra Touches - A pair of decorative pillows or a few green plants will add life to any room.
- Add More Lighting - Bright rooms make your home look more spacious. Pull up the blinds, open the curtains, and let in the sunshine! But before you do, take time to wash your windows. And if there isn't much natural light to be had, consider adding a lamp to make a big difference!
- Go Easy on the Rugs - Most rugs don't photograph well and can make your space look smaller. Ask your REALTOR® to help you decide which ones to keep and which ones toss.
8) Price Your Home to Sell
Your house is only worth what buyers are willing to pay, not how much sentimental value you've placed on it. Therefore, it's essential to think about price objectively and trust the Comparative Market Analysis completed by your real estate agent. This free home valuation compares your home to other similar homes nearby that have sold recently or are currently on the market, allowing your agent to predict what buyers will pay for your home accurately.
9) Survive Showings
Whether you have kids, pets, or just a busy job, home showings can be hard to juggle. But, if you're still living in the home you're selling, these helpful tips can help you minimize the insanity and get your home sold.
Tip #1: Make a daily to-do list. Reduce the panic of surprise showings by putting things away as soon as you're done with them. Create a checklist of simple tasks to complete before you leave home every day.
Tip #2: Get pets out during showings. Allow buyers to focus on your home's best features instead of your barking dog.
Tip #3: Try to be flexible. Try to make any proposed showings work in your schedule, and don't expect buyers to work around you.
10) Negotiate the Contract
Negotiations begin once you have an offer on your home. Your REALTOR® will explain the details in a way that is easy to understand. Never sign an agreement before you're clear about what is and is not included in the offer and how it affects you as a seller.
Pay close attention to:
- Purchase price
- Closing date
- Special allowances
- Contingency deadlines
- Additional contingencies, conditions, and clauses
How Long Does it Take to Sell A Home?
This is not an easy question to answer since there are a LOT of variables involved. Homes in Saskatoon averaged 59 days on the market in December 2020. Keep in mind that number is an average. How long it takes to sell your home will depend on local real estate market trends and the specifics of your home.
Here are some things that can impact how long your home will take to sell:
Local real estate market conditions. If you live somewhere with a sizzling seller's market, you can often expect your home to sell more quickly than those with fewer buyers.
The season. Typically, if you want to get the most for your home and decrease its time on the market, listing your house in late spring is the best bet. But that's not always the case for every home or market. When it comes down to it, the best time to sell your house is when it's the right time for you.
Your home's location. Details like what school zone it is in, the neighbourhood, and how close it is to amenities can also affect how long it takes to sell your home.
The price. Larger and more expensive homes can take longer to sell because the pool of buyers is smaller.
The closing process. If the buyers are using a mortgage to buy a home, the closing date is usually dependent on their financing going through. Closing can also be delayed if issues should arise in the home inspection or appraisal.
Remember, this is not an exhaustive list of the factors that can affect how long it takes to sell your house. Again, you can talk to your real estate agent about a realistic timeline for your specific home.
No matter what, the best way to have an incredible experience selling a home is to partner with a professional local real estate agent. The right agent should guide you every step of the way, making the process go as smoothly as possible. So contact me today and ask about my proven track record!
CENTURY 21 Fusion
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CENTURY 21 Fusion
310 Wellman Lane, Unit 210, Saskatoon, SK S7T0J1
(306) 653-8222
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