While we may wish that selling a house came down to nothing but a smile and a handshake, we know that in reality, it’s a much more complex process requiring patience, planning, and paperwork. It can be confusing to the layman, so let us give you five steps to make the sales process go more smoothly.
As the seller, you are required to cover certain costs. These include:
While you can save money by selling the house yourself, it also means showing the house yourself and completing all necessary paperwork which can be complicated. To make it easier, a real estate agent is worth the money for their understanding of the entire selling process. Hiring one can take a lot of pressure off your shoulders.
In order to show your home, you’ll need to spruce it up, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money. In order to make your home more inviting to prospective buyers, you should:
When it comes to the sale, you can accept or refuse any offers. If you turn an offer down, you can provide a counter-offer which the buyer can then accept or deny before countering with their own. Keep in mind that:
Now is the time to finish all home inspections and necessary repairs. After the buyer is satisfied, the final step is closing. At this point in the process, you will deliver the deed to the new owner, transfer the title, and exchange insurance policies and financing documents while the buyer will pay any costs you agreed upon. Paperwork is signed and then turned into the county recorder. Closing also means you’ll pay any transaction fees and taxes as well as your real estate agent’s commission.
It’s good to remember that your home is probably your most valuable asset. In order to get the most out of your investment, don’t be afraid to ask questions of your agent. With their help, you’ll be well on your way to making a sale.