Selling a home for the first time can be daunting, and it’s difficult to know where to begin and what questions to ask. The process to sell a home is far different than the process of buying, too, especially if you have only been a home buyer in the past several years when the market has so strongly favored sellers. If you are preparing to sell a house for the first time, here are a few of our top tips that we love all potential home sellers to know!
- Contact your agent (The Husky Homes Team!) as soon as you’re thinking about selling! We will help you build a personalized timeline to prepare for the sale (…and to then buy locally, cross-country move, or wherever it is that life is taking you next). No need to fret about the details at this point – let us lead the way and help you map it out!
- Talk to a lender and/or your financial advisor (if you’re buying a new-to-you home)! Yes, this probably sounds all too familiar from the home-buying process, but this time around, a financial expert will help you run numbers to determine if you can be approved to purchase your next home without having to sell your existing home first, and of course, the amount you are approved for. This is dependent on your assets, credit, income, etc., but the answer to this question will determine how to build your timelines, if you need to discuss temporary housing, and/or what other flexibility you could have with the transition. They are a critical component of a successful transaction and also a great asset as you build your wealth with real estate!
- Do NOT start any new home improvement projects! There is no exact formula as to what return you will get on a new kitchen, fresh paint, landscaping, etc. The updates that may be needed, or that you should do, are entirely dependent on the market at that moment and the specific neighborhood. Consult with your agent to put a plan together to make sure your home is shown in its best light, to maximize the value!
- There is no magic ball to determine the perfect market conditions in which to sell your home. The market is ever changing, every minute, with properties continuously being added to the market, going under contract, closing, and expiring. Ultimately, each house is different and needs a unique pricing and marketing plan to appeal to its ideal buyer – and this ideal buyer, writing ideal terms, can be found in any market or location.
