Thinking about selling your home? Find out what goes into the process and how a Realtor can save you time, stress, and even money!
The Steps to Selling Your Home
It's that time—time to take a look at selling your home. Maybe you need more space, maybe it’s time to downsize, or perhaps you're starting an adventure in another city. Whatever your reason, selling a home isn’t just putting up a sign and waiting for offers—it’s coordinating, negotiating, marketing, and problem-solving, all while managing the emotions that come with saying goodbye to a place filled with memories.
But what does it actually take to sell a home? And should you go it alone or call in a professional? Let’s walk through the process.
Understanding the Why
When we first chat about selling your home, it's important to understand the motivation behind it. Do we need to sell ASAP? Can we take our time to maximize value? Do you have a specific price you need to hit? These factors shape our strategy.
Now What
Once we establish the why, we take a hard look at what we’re selling. Before I even step into your home, I analyze market data for similar properties. When we do a walkthrough, I’ll ask questions—what improvements have been made, what you love about your home, and any challenges you’ve addressed. If small fixes are needed, I have a network of professionals who can help.
Then comes pricing. Almost every seller mentions a neighbor who listed for a certain price and assumes their home should be worth more. But here’s the catch: you only see listing prices, not sale prices. I have access to that data, and together, we’ll determine a realistic and competitive price for your home.
Who Would Want Your House?
Now that we understand what we’re selling, we need to know who we’re selling to. Is your home in a bustling downtown area, ideal for professionals? Near top schools, attracting families? Understanding the target buyer helps shape our marketing strategy. Some sellers also care about who buys their home—maybe you want to pass it on to another young family, just as you did years ago.
When Do We Get Started?
Some homes are market-ready, while others need a little TLC. If we need to move fast, we adjust accordingly. If making small updates will increase your return, we set a realistic timeline. If we’re targeting families, we might aim for a listing before the school year starts. Timing can be everything.
How Do We Get All This Done?
This is where things get real. If you're selling your home yourself, you’ll need to:
Make time to show your home, including evenings and weekends.
Prepare marketing materials, including professional photos, listing details, and feature sheets.
Handle signage, print ads, social media posts, and online listings.
Answer buyer inquiries—sometimes the same questions over and over.
Coordinate showings while balancing your schedule.
Follow up with potential buyers, sometimes facing blunt critiques about your home.
Manage offers, counteroffers, and negotiations.
Prepare legal documents and coordinate with a lawyer.
Handle the unexpected.
Or, I could take care of it all for you.
The Reality of DIY Selling
You could sell your house without a Realtor. And it could go perfectly. But what if...
Your buyer’s financing falls through last minute?
A home inspection uncovers issues you didn’t anticipate?
You price your home too high and it sits unsold for months?
You price it too low and leave money on the table?
You struggle to handle negotiations objectively because it’s your home?
These are the moments where experience matters. Recently, a home inspector canceled due to a family emergency. The buyer was on a tight timeline, and without quick action, the deal could have fallen apart. Thanks to my network, I secured another inspector the same day, keeping the sale on track.
When to Call in the Professionals
I often compare my services to hiring a tradesperson. I enjoy woodworking, and I can build a decent box. But if I needed a kitchen renovation, I’d call a professional—because I know that unexpected issues will arise, and I don’t have the experience to handle them all.
Selling your home is one of the biggest financial transactions of your life. You can go it alone and hope for the best—or you can have an expert guide you, protect your interests, and maximize your sale. If you're ready to make this process easier and more profitable, let’s talk.
Comments:
Post Your Comment: