The decision to purchase a home is a huge one, and everyone—from families to young adults—arrives at that decision differently. Perhaps you’re looking to take that crucial next step for you and your partner. Or, maybe you’re in a good position financially and can afford to start seriously considering home ownership. But as exciting as it is, we’d be kidding ourselves if we didn’t acknowledge just how many steps there are before you can call yourself a home-owner. And with all that to consider, the last thing on anyone’s mind is whether or not they’d wanna sell!
But the truth of the matter is that people choose to sell their homes for a variety of reasons. As terrific as moving in with a partner or new-found financial independence and freedom may seem, things can change fairly quickly, and it doesn’t end with these two factors alone. You may find yourself changing jobs and moving to a new location or realizing that your location no longer works for you1. Regardless of the reason for considering selling your home, the process doesn’t have to be a daunting one.
Now is the Best Time to Sell
With everything that is happening in the world right now, selling your house might be the last thing on your mind. And yet, this moment might be the perfect time to look into selling your home. Why? Even at the start of January 2020, interest rates were expected to remain low throughout the year2. Since then, those already low rates have significantly dropped, meaning that homebuyers are more motivated than ever to enter the market. If your home is in good condition and you choose to sell it now, there is a good chance that you’ll receive an offer on it quickly.
According to Zillow, the best time of the year to sell a home is in spring3. The first half of May is especially hot for home buying, and listing your home on a Saturday will ensure that it gets more views in the first week that it is on the market than if you list it on a weekday.
How To Sell Your House
So you are ready to sell your home, but do you know how to do it? Preparing your home for sale is a big step, and there’s much more involved in selling it than simply declaring your intention to do so.
First of all, you will need to enlist the help of a listing agent or realtor. With your real estate agent, you will be able to decide on a price for the house and come up with a strategy for selling it. Your agent will also be in charge of marketing the house and encouraging potential buyers to invest in it, and they will also handle a large amount of the work involved with selling the house.
Besides the work they do listing the house, they will also be able to give you helpful advice. During the inspection, your agent may suggest some minor fixes or updates that could make the place more appealing⁴. Take them up on any advice they give you and don’t be shy to ask questions. Finally, be prepared for extra costs and paperwork as there are almost always extra fees and costs that you might not be expecting.
Steps to Help You Sell Your House Faster
According to U.S. News, the time it will take to sell your home can vary greatly depending on what condition your home is in, the state of the current market, and how well you are able to advertise your home to the right buyers5. Luck can also play a hand in some cases. However, there are also many steps you can take to help speed up the process. Here are just a few6:
1. Stand Out From Your Neighbors
Attract attention to your home and make it more memorable to buyers. Consider investing in landscaping, custom design work, and practical home improvements that will make any future person or family feel functional, happy, and at ease in their soon-to-be new home.
2. Boost Your Deal
Offers like a couple thousand dollars worth of credit towards closing costs or transferable home warranties go a long way in making potential buyers feel secure in their investment decision. But giving a little extra in the selling stage can mean huge payouts for you in the long-run.
3. Fair Pricing
Take some time to do some research on the price of homes comparable to yours in the area. It might be worth it to contact a local real estate agent as well. Making sure you’re not priced too high or too low is directly correlated to the interest you’ll receive from buyers and how much they’ll be willing to negotiate, so give some extra time to this step.
Conclusion
Selling your home is a big decision – one that you should not make without first putting a lot of thought into it. Make sure to do your research to find the best realtor in your area, and take the time to read up on all of the different steps you can take to get your home sold faster. There is no one way to sell a home, but if you follow our advice, you’ll at least be part of the way to receiving an amazing offer on your house.
[1] The House Shop. “Why Do People Sell Their Home?” The House Shop, December 16, 2018.
[2] Devon Thorsby. “Why You Should Sell Your Home in 2020.” U.S. News. 8 January 2020.
[3] Zillow. “When is The Best Time to Sell Your House?” Accessed 1 April 2020.
[4] Devon Thorsby. “The Guide to Selling Your Home.” U.S. News. 11 July 2018.
[5] Trulia. “How to Sell Your House.” Accessed 1 April 2020.
[6] Curtis, Glenn. “6 Tips For Selling Your Home Fast.” Investopedia, August 19, 2019.
