Thinking about selling one’s home can feel like a long and daunting process at times. Having to deal without countless aspects from repairs to staging to finances sounds overwhelming at face value. However, by taking the proper time to plan the selling process out, it doesn’t have to feel like that! Breaking down any seemingly lengthier affair into smaller, more manageable steps helps transform the task into something you can completely handle. In order to do so, we’ve broken up some major steps of the home selling process into a timeline of “Don’t Forgets”!
★ A Year Out…
Every selling experience is different, especially the time frame the process exists within. Assuming you aren’t in a rushed process of moving in a month, when given the luxury of time to plan, take it. When you’re a year out from when you’re thinking of selling your home, you have the gift low pressure to really think about and plan the kind of time frame that works for you. An aspect of the selling process to begin to consider this far out is the worth of your home. Start asking yourself questions about the expenses you may need for the process (such as for repairs, staging, a realtor, etc.) that you can begin to prepare for. These are some important questions to consider at this time:
★ 6 Months…
6 months out is still plenty of time, and a major step to deal with this far out is taking care of more major repairs. If the home you’re selling is undergoing a more lengthy repair process, it’s important to time out all of the renovations over a longer period of time. Some of these major repairs can include painting, foundation and roof repairs, repairing or installing new pipes, etc.
(HomeGo)
This is also the time to be in contact with your agent to go over more details of what steps they believe are important to selling your home and your marketing strategies. Additionally, it’s important to decide on a more concrete listing timeline. Having this much of lead time before your sale gives your selling process a distinct comparative advantage over those under a time crunch that have to deal with a short term market. You’re able to take your time and market more effectively with added preparation. It also gives your agent the time to better familiarize themselves with the current market and comparable properties to “better gauge pricing, needed repairs, and buyer preferences” (PenFed Credit Unionhttps://www.penfed.org/mortgage-knowledge-center/how-to-prepare-to-sell-your-home-in-6-months ).
Another aspect of moving to consider is decluttering one’s belongings (especially if you’re downsizing). By no means should you be packed up 6 months out, but it’s important to give yourself (and family members) ample notice and time to transition and go through their belongings.
★ 1-2 Months (showings time)
It’s time to list your home! Putting your listing together along with your real estate agent is one of the most important parts of the selling process. Photo and video walkthroughs found in your listing are buyers’ first impressions, and integral to the marketing process. Consider what made you fall in love with your home, and showcase these best features. It’s also important to create an engaging, eye catching, and accurate description of your home for buyers to read and compare to photos.
❝
A reputable listing agent is going to have
an in-house camera crew that will come take
pictures of your house and even do video
walk-throughs and flyovers with drones
in some cases
❞
Now is also the time to consider all of the steps that go into staging one’s home and what to do to organize showings! Read our blog on the Do’s and Don'ts of Home Staging Here ! Some “don’t forgets” of this process include to make sure your home smells good, declutter, open your blinds to allow for maximized natural light, and to straighten your pantry.
The average time it takes a typical seller to prepare their home is about two weeks to a month; however, this period is entirely flexible and variable depending on the conditions of one’s home. According to Nathaniel Hovsepia, founder ofThe Expert Home Buyers, “ Smaller-scope repairs can take as little as a day or two and would just require you finding a handyman that you trust to get the work done… Larger repairs or upgrades can take weeks or even months, and would require you to devote some more hands-on time to finding a contractor you trust and then staying on top of them to make sure the work is getting done.” This is also the time for you to really start moving out. Packing ahead of time will help you with the eventual move in your future and help declutter your home for the staging process.
★ Day Of…
Now is the time to wait for offers and negotiate for the best deals! When you and your agent find the offer that’s best for you, it’s time to respond! Usually offers will come with an ‘expiration date’ (24-72 hours after submitting), so it’s important to be aware of these deadlines. After accepting an offer, it’s time to schedule a home inspection with the buyer. Based on the home inspection, the buyer can present adjusted offers or request repairs. Following these negotiations (if any), you and the buyer will have come to a new deal. Typically, the average time to close on a house is a little over a month after accepting the deal. This gives all parties involved ample time to complete all necessary paperwork and deal with finishing touches or last minute packing. And finally— Congrats! You’ve made it!
