6 Steps on How to Sell Your Home in Columbus
Define your needs
Write down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, “Why do I want to sell and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?” For example, you might be outgrowing your current home and have a need for more space, or a job opportunity in another city may necessitate a move. For your goals, write down if you’d like to sell your house within a certain time frame or make a particular profit margin. Work with your real estate agent to map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale.
Meet with an agent
Selling real estate is a huge and important transaction for all parties involved. Kyle Edwards has the expertise and experience to make sure your real estate transaction runs as smoothly as possible. Click the form below to schedule your listing consult with Kyle now!
Prepare your home
Most of us don’t keep our homes in “showroom” condition. We tend to overlook piles of boxes in the garage, broken porch lights, and doors or windows that stick. However, first impressions are the most important and the condition of your home will affect how quickly it sells and the price the buyer is willing to offer. Your real estate agent can help you take a fresh look at your home and suggest ways to make it more appealing to buyers. Simple things like removing family photos and personalized decor and clearing the clutter will help buyers visualize the home as theirs.
Herlihy Moving & Storage, Mayflower
614-871-4040
James@herlihymoving.com
herlihymoving.com
LEADERS Moving & Storage
614-885-6683
leadersmoving.com
Get the word out
Now that you’re ready to sell, your real estate agent will set up a marketing strategy specifically for your home. There are many ways to get the word out, including: The Internet, Yard signs, Open houses, Media advertising, Agent-to-agent referrals and Direct mail marketing campaigns. In addition to listing your home on the MLS, your agent will use a combination of these tactics to bring the most qualified buyers to your home. Your agent should structure the marketing plan so that the first few weeks are the busiest.
Accept the Offer
Once you accept an offer to sell your house, you will need to make a list of all the things you and your buyer must do before closing. The property may need to be formally appraised, surveyed, inspected or repaired. Your real estate agent can spearhead the effort and serve as your advocate when dealing with the buyer’s agent and service providers. Depending on the written contract, you may pay for all, some or none of these items. If each procedure returns acceptable results as defined by the contract, then the sale may continue. If there are problems with the home, the terms set forth in the contract will dictate your next step. You or the buyer may decide to walk away, open a new round of negotiations or proceed to closing. Important reminder: A few days before the closing, you will want to contact the entity that is closing the transaction and make sure the necessary documents will be ready to sign on the appropriate date. Also, begin to make arrangements for your upcoming move if you have not done so.
Close the deal
“Closing” refers to the meeting where ownership of the property is legally transferred to the buyer and funding occurs. Your agent will be present during the closing to guide you through the process and make sure everything goes as planned. By being present during the closing, he or she can mediate any last minute issues that may arise. Do not switch utilities off, simply switch them out of your name. Forward your mail to your new address. Gather owner’s manuals, warranties, keys and remote controls for all conveying items.