Let's face it, following New Year, we are all less patient about the things we have been putting off doing.That includes, for many, selling your home.
If you are ready to sell this spring, what is the best way to get started?
First off, interview some local Realtors®. This is not as hard to do as you would think. Your friends, family members and neighbors will be more than willing to share their experiences (and some names!) with you. Contact these Realtors® and set up some meetings. You can interview one or a dozen (although probably 2-3 is the right number).
What should you get out of these meetings?
- Make sure you understand what their marketing strategy will be for your home
- Make sure you understand what they will charge you and what the Buyer's agent will be paid (you want to make sure the commission they are offering in the MLS is competitive for your region)
- Make sure you understand what the process is for getting your home on the market.
Many of my clients spend a fair amount of time, and yes, some money, getting their homes ready to list.
Why spend money on a house that you are going to sell? Buyers are a fickle group. Even if they intend to remodel, they want to feel like they are getting a 'nice' and a 'well maintained' home. Often sellers have decided to sell because they are tired of the maintenance.
I don't like to see any evidence of deferred maintenance when we go on the market--it results in lower offers and less money in my seller's pocket.
Timing is important, but what is most important is preparation and investing the necessary money to get your home conditon up to market conditions.
Consult a local Realtor before you get to far in the process. You will save yourself some time and probably make more money in the end.
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