A few years ago, you bought your first home in Richmond Virginia and were excited about the purchase. But, now, you find it is time to sell your home and move on. Now there are lots of things to think about and your head is exploding because you really don’t know where to start! So my list below is really nothing more than an outline of the steps that you want to start thinking about!
KNOW WHY YOU ARE SELLING YOUR HOME? Dare you moving into a bigger home, moving out of town, downsizing or moving into a rental home?
NEW CONSTRUCTION OR RESALE HOME? If you are considering new construction, many builders will not start the construction on a home unless your home is already sold or at least under contract! Buying a resale home means coordinating the closing of your current home with the home you will be purchasing!
KNOW YOUR MORTGAGE PAYOFF! This will let you know just how much equity you have to be able to put towards the next home, if you are purchasing, and will let you know if you are able to purchase the type of home you want to buy!
KNOW WHAT YOUR NON-NEGOTIABLES ARE! There may some things that you won’t budge on – this can include closing date, appliances being conveyed, what systems if any are being sold as is!
KNOW THE BEST TIME TO SELL! Should you put your home on the market in the spring, summer, fall or winter? Your Realtor can let you know what they recommend!
KNOW WHO YOU WANT TO SELL YOUR HOME! Do you want to try to sell it yourself (FSBO) or do you want to hire a Realtor to assist you!
PICK THE RIGHT REALTOR, IF YOU DECIDE TO USE A REALTOR! If you do decide to use a Realtor to assist you with your home sale, interview the Realtor to see if they are a good fit for you!
HAVE A PRE-LISTING INSPECTION & DO THE REPAIRS! This will help to get you top dollar as buyers will know that there is peace of mind with the house they are purchasing!
DECIDE IF YOU ARE SELLING YOUR HOME AS IS OR NOT! Selling your home as is means you won’t have to do any repairs, but you may also not get as much money for your home as you would otherwise!
PRICE YOUR HOME COMPETITIVELY! Price your home for LOCATION – CONDITION – COMPETITION! Don’t be the house that buyers look at to compare to another home they end up buying!
STAGE YOUR HOME! Most buyers are looking online for their next home-make sure your home isn’t one of the “not staged” homes you see online!
LOOK AT THE CURB APPEAL OF YOUR HOME! Make sure that your home says “Welcome” even before the buyer has opened the door to get out of the car!
BE READY TO MOVE IF YOU GET AN OFFER! Make sure you have a game plan in the event that your home sells the first day or days after hitting the market!
BE PREPARED FOR SHOWINGS! Be ready for buyers to have many showings the first day or so after hitting the market! Be willing to live with the inconvenience of keeping your home in show condition before it is under contract! And be prepared to go somewhere when it is being shown by buyer agents!
PREPARE FOR BEING UNDER CONTRACT! This means that the buyer will be scheduling inspections, the lender will order an appraisal, and the buyer may need to bring in contractors to get estimates on repairs!
PREPARE FOR WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE ARE CLOSING HURDLES! Low appraisals, financing issues, title issues, HOA disclosures, bad inspections – these are all potential closing hurdles to overcome!
MOVE OUT! The buyer takes possession as soon as they have completed settlement, so you should be moved out a day or two before closing date!
If you are thinking of selling your home, you may find you have lots and lots of questions. Don’t hesitate to call or email me and let me know how I can help!
