Remember the feeling when you first moved into your current home. The desire to paint walls, hang pictures, entertain, and all the other memory-making activities that came along with owning your home. Fast forward to today when life opens a new path. You’re about to enter the world of the home seller. It may be new territory, especially if your current home was new construction when you purchased it. The process is similar but with some differences that come with a re-sale vs. new construction. Change brings a certain amount of stress, but here are a few tips to help you navigate through smoothly.
Set yourself up for success with a professional Realtor to guide you through selling a home. Their guidance can help make the process much less stressful.
Preparation is key to a successful sale. Remember, as much as you already love your home, you’re now helping someone else to fall in love with it.
Walk through your home with your agent and a notebook. Look at it from a buyer’s perspective. What feature would you update or fix if you purchased today? Is the paint fresh, the carpet cleaned, lightbulbs working? Make a list and review it with your Realtor. Decide what are necessary repair items on the list and what items would enhance positive features if addressed.
Remember what drew you to your home in the first place? Make sure that feature stands out. Frequently, that same feature attracts others. Lastly, be sure to clean; everything appears a little brighter and fresher when it’s clean.
Now your home is prepared to help its new owner fall in love with it. They do not have that same emotional attachment as you do yet so don’t take anything personally. You have an advocate in your Realtor to guide you through showings, negotiations and a signed contract. But what’s next?
Each transaction is different, but there are a few checkpoints that occur in almost all contracts. Most buyers have inspections, so don’t be surprised when the report reveals some items you were unaware of in your home. Don’t panic. There is time allowed in the contract to discuss and reach an agreement. If repairs are necessary, a set time for the buyer to review those is scheduled ahead of closing day. Discuss your options thoroughly with your Realtor.
If an appraised value is required in your contract, the appraiser will reach out to your Realtor to coordinate a time with you for the appraiser to visit your home. It doesn’t take much time but is a necessary step in the process of finalizing your contract.
Just ahead of closing, plan on the buyer performing a final walk-through of the home. This is a final checkpoint to make sure all items are either in place or removed based on the agreement.
Those are the main components of selling your home. Even though there may be small items that need to be addressed, you can relax and let your Realtor keep things moving smoothly as well as help you find your new home, if remaining in the same area. Make a list of your desired features. Meet again with your Realtor and start the plan of finding your home. Having a professional on your side can make the entire process flow as seamlessly as possible.
Deanne Nelson is the Broker Owner of New Key Realty in Nashville TN. Her passion for real estate started 17 years ago when she decided to pursue it as her career. She carries a license in both TN & FL. Deanne fell in love with Tennessee in the early 90s, moved here and is a graduate of Belmont University. Deanne currently serves on various committees & is Chair of the Membership Committee at Greater Nashville Realtors. Her intent is to give back to the community by being a positive influence & impact within the real estate industry for the consumer and other agents.
