If you’ve been thinking about putting your home on the market in the coming year, we have some important tips to share before you take that big step. The prospect of moving by itself can be stressful, and when you add all that goes into selling your home, everything can seem overwhelming. But if you’re prepared with the right resources and a plan in place it doesn’t have to be so daunting. If 2015 is your year to sell, these tips will help you get a fair price, sell your home in the timeframe you want and allow for the entire process to go smoothly.
Tip #1: Start preparing now. The early bird catches the worm and the time to prepare for selling your home is now. The hottest selling season of the year is usually during the earlier spring months, which makes it very important to have a plan, make last minute repairs and stage your home by March 1. For prospective buyers and possibly for yourself, bringing your home to market by early spring also allows for a potential move at the the end of the school year, avoiding the disruption of switching schools during the term for people who have children.
Tip #2: Be aware of your emotions. Your home is likely to have some sort of emotional meaning or attachment in your life so it’s important to be prepared for the emotional aspect of selling your home. Often the hard work and memories in a home make people feel their home is worth more than what buyers are willing to offer. Buyers are looking to get the best price, similar to when making any big purchase. A good real estate agent can help negotiate price into a range that’s good for both the home buyer and seller. It may not be your ideal number or what you think your home is truly worth but it’s important to prepare yourself for the fact that emotional value doesn’t always translate to monetary value.
Tip #3: Set the right price. You want to list your home or property at just the right price to facilitate a timely sale. Pricing your home too high can cause it to sit on the market for too long and even discourage real estate agents from showing the home to buyers. Hitting the mark on your listing price will ensure your listing will get the right amount of interest, traffic and time spent on the market. Discuss with a real estate professional your timeframe and desired price range. Real estate agents will look at comparables (the selling price of other homes in your neighborhood) to come up with a competitive market analysis that will help to ensure that you get a fair price within the time you need to sell. Remember, timing is everything – sellers can spend months, even years, waiting for the ideal highest price.
Tip #4: Find a Realtor you can trust. This can be both a rational and instinctive decision. In what will likely be one of the biggest financial transactions of your life, you’ll need to conduct due diligence in finding the firm or person to help you. Consider their background, their knowledge of the market, the tools and resources at their disposal, testimonials from their clients and their track record in successfully selling homes. The instinctive side comes into play when sensing if this is a person or firm you can trust. Do they seem to have integrity and honesty? Will you feel comfortable working with them? Trust your gut.
If you live in the Ocala and Marion County area and you’re considering selling your home or property, our team at Showcase Properties offers comprehensive services in helping you sell your home. Our real estate agents are long-time and active members of the communities in Marion County and their thorough knowledge of the market and extensive expertise can help you get the most value when selling your home. Learn more about the services we provide to help you sell your home or meet our real estate agents.