Ultimate Guide to Selling Your House

When deciding to sell your home, it’s common to be apprehensive when taking on such a monumental task. Though you may feel a bit nervous about going forward with a sale, following a few simple steps will make the process much easier. Here we’ve outlined all the steps you should take when selling your home, along with some helpful tips that will prepare you for showings, listing your home, and more.

Before listing your home, the first big decision you must make is how to sell the house. Most people choose to collaborate with a real estate agent or Realtor® to get the job done. Selling a house requires your attention to be in multiple places. Working with real estate professionals, like our team at The Foley Group of Go Brent Realty will lighten this burden, as we can manage all the more difficult aspects of the sale. Having a real estate agent or Realtor® at your service means you won’t have to worry about answering inquiries or constantly being present for showings and open houses. You can go about your daily business with less interruption, which is a massive benefit for those who generally do not have a minute to spare.

 

Another option is to use the “for sale by owner” (FSBO) method, which essentially means you will be conducting the sale without the assistance of a real estate professional. Those who want to avoid paying a commission fee tend to go this route. Though you may save a few thousand dollars by retaining the commission fee, you risk losing money in other areas of the sale. Real estate professionals understand the selling process through and through and through, and we will spot the things that average sellers tend to miss. Our expert negotiation skills will benefit you when the offers start rolling in.

The second step you must attend to is performing some market research to help you decide on an appropriate listing price for your home. When working with a real estate professional, they will usually perform this research for you. However, it is always a good idea to do a little bit of independent studying so you have a personal grasp of the transaction.

 

When researching, you should compare the listing prices of local homes in your area that match the details of your house, like square footage, acreage, amenities, and the year it was built. This is a good time to determine what makes your house so special. Are there any features to your home that aren’t present in the neighborhood, like a chef’s kitchen or a recently updated in-law suite? This will give you an idea of how to price your home competitively and find the perfect buyer.

Organizing and clearing your home of all unnecessary clutter will make the moving process easier, and you will benefit when it comes time to stage the home for showing. Having too many personal items around can have a negative effect on the sale during showings. People want to be able to envision themselves building a life in the house, and it is difficult to do so when someone else’s life is so visible.

Once your home is free of personal belongings, make sure each room is cleaned thoroughly. Hiring a cleaning service to detail your home is a beneficial move that ensures each room is visually attractive and well-prepared for staging. Pay close attention to the bathroom and kitchen – an unclean toilet or food-speckled appliances can deter interested buyers.

After the cleaning process is complete, you can begin staging your home. Working with interior design and staging professionals is key to building a staged home that garners potential buyers’ interest. A properly staged home can increase its value by up to 20%. A great staging crew will be able to determine what looks best in your home so people can see the potential in the house. At this time, you (or your agent) will hire a photographer to take professional photos in preparation for listing the home.

 

The outside of your home is a key selling point that should not be ignored. A home that appears to be unkempt or rundown will hardly pick up rapid offers once it hits the market. Consider giving the exterior a paint refresh or sprucing up the landscaping with local flowers and expertly tailored greenery. A house that appears loved and cared for is palpable and will translate to buyers.

Putting your house on the market is one of the more exciting steps. Real estate professionals will market the home initially on a Multiple Listing Services (MLS) to connect with other brokers, agents, and Realtors®. The other options are to market your home on public real estate platforms or enhance the listing by promoting it on social media.

Soon after listing your home, you will receive inquiries to visit the property. You and your agent can set up a time for an open house where brokers and interested buyers alike can tour the space. Buyers may also request private showings, which can be done at your convenience and led by the listing agent. During showings, make sure your home has a neutral scent and isn’t overwhelmed by strong fragrances, which can be migraine-inducing and It's the small details that often get overlooked that can make or break a deal. These special touches are just one of the strong suits of the agents of The Foley Group of Go Brent Realty.

As showings slowly trickle to a close, you’ll notice the offers will start pouring in. Take some time to review each offer and negotiate with the help of your agent. Work on terms that fit your needs and will generate the most profitable sale. The best option is to go with the most serious, flexible buyer that can give you what others can’t.

After choosing the best offer, you will be able to begin closing the deal from there, which includes performing a final walk-through, reviewing home inspection details, and signing the closing paperwork. Once you’ve completed this final step, you will have successfully sold your home.

With The Foley Group of Go Brent Realty, you’ll know that every step of the way, the sale of your home is in capable hands. Having a real estate professional at your side who understands your needs and requirements and will work tirelessly to check off all your boxes is guaranteed to lead you to a lucrative sale. It shouldn’t take your blood, sweat, and tears to sell your home — sometimes, all you need is the right Realtor®. Connect with The Foley Group of Go Brent Realty and begin the process of selling your Maryland and Washington, DC, real estate today.