How to Sell a House in 5 Steps

No matter what else is going on in the world, selling your house is always a big deal. You probably have countless memories there, and you’ve spent time, money and effort making it a special place. Just remember, if selling is the right thing for you and your family, it’s worth it! If you’re ready to make a move, you want to do it the smart way. How to Sell a House in 5 Steps Selling your house and moving is a big transition to make, but it doesn’t need to be a stressful experience. Learn how to sell a house the right way with these seven steps! 1. Find a stellar real estate agent. Real estate agents are a dime a dozen. That’s why you don’t need just any agent. You need the right agent. Find someone who will super-serve you, negotiate the best deal, and sell your house fast! As tempting as it is to have a relative, a friend from church, or your cousin’s husband’s buddy help you, always stick with a vetted professional who has experience and can sell your home for the most money in the shortest amount of time! A great agent will more than make up for that cost. Consider this: The latest National Association of Realtors data shows that the average home sold by an agent last year brought in $280,000. In contrast, the average FSBO home went for $200,000.1 That’s an $80,000 difference! 2. Price your home to sell. Remember this: Your home is only worth what buyers are willing to pay. Therefore, you need to think objectively about your home’s value. If you’ve lived in your home long enough to make memories, those sentimental ties could cloud your judgment. So, stick to the facts as much as possible when you estimate how much your home could sell for. you can work with your agent to set a competitive price that’s based on fact, not emotion. 3. Set a home-selling timeline. Make the most of the weeks and months leading up to your home sale. If you have an idea of when you want to list your house, break your to-do list into manageable bite-size pieces. The timeline below will get you started. Of course, you can adjust according to your own needs and personal schedule. ASAP Interview real estate agents: Take time to find a pro who has a proven track record https://www.dna-realty.com/sell/ Outline a plan: Work with your agent to set priorities Declutter: Decide what you can live without 2–3 Months Before Listing Hire a home inspector: Identifying issues early in the home-selling process lets you work the cost of repairs into your budget on the front end so they don’t wreck your deal later. Tackle repairs: Ask your agent where your fix-it dollars will do the most good. 1–2 Months Before Listing Set the stage: Create an inviting space Deep clean: Scrub every surface until it shines. Apply finishing touches: Get your home picture-perfectAgain, the key to keeping stress at bay during the weeks and months leading up to putting your home on the market is to make a plan—and then follow that plan. Working with a pro can help you relax and understand the selling process so you have realistic expectations. 4. Stage your house and get it ready for potential buyers. Once your home is in good working order, it’s time to set the stage and show off its best features. That starts with a deep cleaning. Here are some ways to make your house look great. Scrub every surface until it sparkles. We can’t emphasize this enough! You need to polish your home and keep it clean during showings. Apply a fresh coat of paint. It might take some time, but it’s time well spent. Pay a professional to deep clean rugs and carpets. Minimize clutter to maximize space. 5. List your home and survive the showings. Home showings are hard to juggle regardless of whether your home is empty or full of kids. If you’re still living in the home you’re trying to sell Surprise showings always seem to happen when your home is a complete wreck. Reduce last-minute panic by putting things away as soon as you’re done with them and creating a checklist of simple tasks to knock