You probably felt a great deal of excitement when you bought your home, as well as some apprehension. As soon as you settled in and made it your own, that feeling probably faded. While selling your home, whether you have lived in it for several years or you have to sell earlier than expected, you might experience similar emotions.
Talk to Each Other
Selling a home is not an easy task. Selling your home is a big decision and should be discussed with your family. Perhaps you want a smaller house, or perhaps your current home has become too small for you. Be sure that everyone is on the same page during the process. After you sell your home, you will also need to discuss where you plan to move. It’s important to have a plan in place for what will happen after you sell your home.
Find An Experienced Real Estate Agent
Raymond Kang REALTOR will guide you through the process and is probably the most valuable tip you can follow when selling your home. Oahu real estate agents will know what price to sell at, how to make repairs that will increase your home’s value, as well as how to stage your home for maximum appeal.
Check out Your Finances
Once you decide to list your home for sale, you will need to review your finances to ensure that you are in a position to do so. You must be able to pay all fees necessary to list your house, while also earning enough proceeds to pocket a profit. Examine how much of your mortgage needs to be paid off based on your home’s estimated value today. You should contact Raymond Kang real estate agent for an idea of your home’s projected value, as well as information about agent commissions, fees, and taxes.
You may be thinking about buying a new house after you sell your current one, so take a look at how much money you will need to purchase a new one after you sell it.
Make Any Repairs That Need to Be Done
Leaving repairs to the new owner of your home is very tempting. Even if you are free to sell your home as-is, a large number of necessary repairs can turn off prospective buyers and can often lead to a delay in closing your home. Below are some examples of repairs you can take care of yourself:
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Replace outdated appliances.
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Make sure all carbon monoxide and fire detectors are working.
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Check the hinges on the cabinets that are loose.
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Check the drawers to ensure they open and close smoothly.
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Replace any flooring that is damaged.
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Replace showerheads that don’t function properly.
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Drains in the bathroom and kitchen should be unclogged and cleaned.
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If your water heater is inefficient, replace it.
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If your HVAC system needs to be replaced, do it.
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Fix nail holes in the walls.
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Replace leaky or slow-running faucets.
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Scheduling a pre-listing inspection is recommended if you are not sure what items will need fixing in your home.
Enhance the Curb Appeal of Your Home
The curb appeal of a house is based on its appearance from the outside. Your home’s exterior is the first thing that will attract prospective buyers. If you are doing the work yourself, you can often improve the curb appeal of your home in one weekend. You can hire a professional for larger projects. You can accomplish the following tasks by yourself:
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Take care of your lawn. Mow as needed, trim bushes and trees, and arrange potted plants neatly.
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Maintain your front and back porches and keep them free of dirt, dust, and leaves. Organize and clean any furniture you have.
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If your exterior is peeling, paint it.
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Paint your front door with an attractive color.
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Replace old and obsolete illumination.
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Check that your entry is clean.
While these may not seem like very important measures to take, the call break is very important when it comes to selling your home. It’s what will attract a buyer. If they don’t find the outdoors attractive, chances are they won’t look any further inside your house.
Staging Your Home Could Be A Good Idea
It is important to stage your home to increase its appeal to buyers. Decorating your home with decorative pillows, setting your dining table with dinnerware, and placing fresh flowers on side tables can serve as staging tactics. Exactly why is this recommended? It allows buyers to picture themselves living in your home. Buying a house gives them ideas of how they can make it a more inviting place. After seeing how the home is staged, they can imagine how they might arrange their furniture or what decorations might work best in the home. A home should be staged in all the main areas – namely the living room, kitchen, dining room, and bedrooms.
Accept Requests for Showings
You will likely get a lot of showing requests when you list your home. You may know about some of these ahead of time, but others may be more last-minute. In case your home is listed on Friday, plan to be away most of the weekend. Get out and explore your city for the day with your family, or go to the beach or go hiking.
The process of having to leave your home for a last-minute inspection may be one of the most annoying things about trying to sell your home, but you do want to make sure that as many buyers as possible have the opportunity to see your home. You can take the following daily housekeeping steps to ensure that you are prepared to leave your home at a moment’s notice if a showing is scheduled:
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Ensure that floors are free of dust, crumbs, and dirt.
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To clean dishes, place them in the dishwasher or wash them by hand.
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The tables are not crowded and wiped.
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The garbage gets taken out.
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Toiletries are in storage and toilet seats are closed.
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The cupboard doors are closed.
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All beds are made up.
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While these may sound like common sense, or perhaps annoying to you, a bit of cleanliness and preparation can go a long way.
Respond to Offers as Soon as Possible
Every time a new offer is made on your home, your real estate agent will notify you. When making an offer, buyers usually expect a response within 48 hours. According to the list price and market trends, a real estate agent should have already discussed with you what price you can expect for your home, as well as what due diligence or earnest money fees you can expect. If you are interested in an offer, let your REALTOR know so they can let the buyer know as soon as possible. Ensure that you also respond to counter-offers as quickly as possible if any exist. It is a good idea to entertain as many offers as possible. However, if you wait too long, a buyer may change their mind or find something else that meets their needs.
One Last Thought on Selling Your Home
If you take the time to think through the process before listing your home for sale, you will reap the benefits in the long run. Prepare it for listing, talk it over with your family, and discuss it in detail with a local Oahu REALTOR. If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to transfer your home quickly to a new owner.
