Are you planning on selling a house in West Michigan but need help figuring out where to begin? There are certain things you can do to make the process go more smoothly. In this article, realtor Robert Antonini will walk you through the essential steps in successfully selling your house, providing you with the necessary tools to make informed decisions during your own sale.
Decide how you’re going to sell your home
Selling a house is a big decision, and there are several factors you should consider before putting it on the market.
Use a real estate agent
You could sell a house on your own, but it has many drawbacks. For example, you could encounter difficulties with pricing, potential legal challenges, limited buyer interest, and longer-than-average times on the market. Working with an experienced realtor allows you to leverage their expertise and provides you with the necessary skills to accurately market your home and negotiate with buyers.
Robert Antonini has specialized knowledge of the real estate market, including current trends, pricing, and regulations. He can provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions, sell your home fast, and secure the right offer.
If you’re looking for a quick and convenient way to sell your home, you might be tempted to work with an iBuyer. This is a company that uses digital technology to make quick offers and purchase homes directly from sellers. However, this isn’t recommended. iBuyers are notorious for their high fees and rushed sales process, leading the seller to lose money. Overall, an iBuyer can’t compare to the dedicated, detail-oriented mindset of a real estate professional.
Research the market to determine your asking price
Before selling a house, it’s essential to understand the market. This will help you set realistic expectations for your home sale and determine a fair asking price. Start by researching other real estate listings in your area. Take note of each property’s listing prices, how long they were on the market before selling, and their final sale prices.
Pay attention to the current market conditions. In a buyer’s market, there are more homes for sale than buyers. This usually means you’ll need to be more flexible with pricing, concessions, and contingencies. In a seller’s market, there are more buyers than homes, usually meaning you’ll have the advantage during negotiations.
Prepare and market your home for sale
Selling a house fast and getting the best price for it requires the right amount of preparation. That means you must clean, stage, and upgrade your home. Below, you’ll find tips to help you prepare your home for the West Michigan real estate market and make it appealing to potential buyers.
Clean and stage your home
Before selling your home, it's important to clean and stage it to attract buyer attention. Start by getting rid of items you no longer need. By doing so, your home will feel bigger and more spacious.
Once you've cleared your home of unnecessary items, give it a thorough cleaning. This can include scrubbing floors, wiping surfaces, cleaning bathrooms, and dusting. Consider adding fresh flowers, decorative pillows, or a few well-placed pieces of artwork to liven the space.
Enhance your curb appeal
When selling your home, first impressions are everything, and curb appeal can make a big difference. Some easy ways to enhance your home's curb appeal include:
- Giving the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint
- Tidying up your garden and adding potted plants or flowers
- Pressure washing your driveway and walkways to give them a fresh, clean look
- Adding outdoor lighting
- Decluttering and cleaning up any outdoor equipment or furniture
- Replacing your mailbox and house number
Create a professional listing that attracts the eye
You want your home to be seen by as many people as possible. The first step in doing this is to ensure you have high-quality photos in your listing. Photos should be taken in natural light and showcase the best features of each room. Creating a video walkthrough of your home is also a good idea, as this will give buyers a better idea of the layout.
In your listing, you’ll want to include a detailed description of your home. Elaborate on the features that make it unique, such as walk-in closets or a pantry, granite countertops, in-ground pools, and more.
Show your home
No matter how great your home is, if people can't see it, they can’t buy it. By opening up your home for showings, you're giving potential buyers a chance to see everything it offers. Below, you’ll find tips on how to set up an open house that highlights your home’s best features and attracts potential buyers.
The elements of a successful open house
An open house allows interested parties to see your home in person. When setting up an open house, keep these key elements in mind:
- The date and time: Choose a date and time that works well for potential buyers, such as a weekend afternoon or when people are typically available.
- How your home is presented: Make sure it is clean, decluttered, and staged in a way that presents it in the best possible light.
- Marketing strategies: Get the word out about your open house through online listings, social media, and other marketing channels.
- Proper signage: Use clear, visible signs to direct potential buyers to your home.
- Informational materials: Have brochures or other materials on hand that highlight your home's amenities and provide information about the surrounding neighborhood.
- Refreshments: Offering light refreshments like water and snacks can make potential buyers feel more at ease.
Review and negotiate offers
Getting an offer can be exciting, but it’s essential to take a step back and carefully review and negotiate any offers. Doing so protects your interests and helps you avoid unwanted surprises from buyers.
Here are a few key tips on how to review and negotiate an offer:
- Carefully read through each offer to ensure you understand all the terms and conditions.
- If you decide to negotiate with the buyer, make a counteroffer that addresses your concerns and takes into account the strengths of their offer.
- During negotiations, be patient and willing to compromise, but don't be afraid to walk away if the offer doesn't meet your needs.
- Leverage the expertise of your agent.
Top things to consider besides offer price
In addition to the offer price, consider other factors like the buyer's financing and contingencies. It’s also important to pay attention to the closing timeline. A faster closing date may be worth more than a slightly higher offer price. Lastly, consider any contingencies that can cause delays or complications. For example, if a buyer needs to sell their current home first, that could add weeks or even months to the process.
Don’t forget closing costs
It's important not to overlook the costs associated with selling a home, particularly closing costs. These costs can add up quickly and significantly affect your finances. Some typical seller closing costs include real estate agent commissions, home inspection fees, title insurance, transfer taxes, and attorney fees.
Accept an offer and close the deal
Once you and a buyer have agreed on the terms of the sale, it's time to sign a purchase agreement. At this time, the buyer will provide earnest money, a deposit showing they're serious about the purchase. Make sure the money is placed into an escrow account.
Once inspections and other obligations are fulfilled, it's time to close the deal. On closing day, you’ll sit down with your agent and other industry professionals to sign the final paperwork and receive the funds for your home sale.
Find a trusted real estate agent
When you're ready to put your home on the market, real estate expert Robert Antonini can help. He knows the ins and outs of selling a house in West Michigan and will answer any questions you have. To get started, contact Robert for a consultation.
