Selling your home can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation, it can be a smooth and easy process. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or simply relocating for a change of scenery, there’s a lot to think about when putting your home on the market.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through a complete checklist of everything you need to do to sell your Austin home. From preparing your home for sale to negotiating with buyers and closing, this complete Austin home selling checklist will provide you with information in order to get your home on the market.
Pre-Listing Checklist
1. Find the Right Agent
Real estate agents will guide you through the process of selling your home. Agents help relieve that stress from home selling by handling details such as showing your home to prospective buyers, arranging appraisals and inspections, pricing, marketing, and more.
The agent can handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on other things, like keeping up with household maintenance and handling household chores. By working with a real estate agent, you may be able to do some things that go beyond just selling your home.
When looking for an agent, make a list of candidates. Ask for recommendations from your friends and family, find agents in your area, search for agents online and check out reviews from people they’ve worked with.
Once you’ve shortlisted your candidates, meet with them and ask any questions in mind such as their local knowledge, what you’ll need to do throughout the process, their fees, and the services that they offer.
2. Pick an ideal listing date
When is the best time to sell your home? Spring is known as the hottest season in real estate. Home buyers and sellers alike are aware of the competition since there are more homes being listed during the said season. If you're looking to sell your Austin home in a different season other than spring, the solution is to find an agent that will motivate you and guide you in selling your home no matter what the season is. Choose the best agent that has great marketing resources, the best experiences, and strategies to help you sell your home.
3. Research the Market
Your real estate agent will guide you through the market to provide you with the best possible price for your home. Ask your real estate agent for a Comparative Market Analysis report.
A CMA is a report that will help you provide an estimate of a home’s value based on the recently sold properties in the area. By having this type of report, you’ll be seeing an in-depth analysis and report on your home’s current value that is professionally prepared by your agent.
4. Assess Your Property’s Condition
It is important to assess your property’s condition before selling your home. Make sure that you’re home is in its best shape before putting it up on the market. Begin with the walls and ceilings, check for any water damage, leaks, cracks, chips, and discoloration.
Next, you’d want to take a look at your flooring for any excessive wear, stains, or damage whether you have tiles, hardwood flooring, or even carpets. Your windows should be free from cracks and holes. Don’t forget that the locks and latches must be functional.
Lighting and electrical inspections must be added to your list too. Ensure that all switches are working properly and that there are no exposed and damaged wires. Inspect for any leaks from your faucet, tubs, sinks, and toilet, and check if your drain function works properly.
Let’s not forget about the outdoors. If you have a sidewalk or a driveway, inspect for any asphalt or concrete cracks and issues that could potentially be raised by potential buyers. Your deck and patio must be checked for any water damage or cracks as well. Don’t disregard your yard and see for any overgrowth of weeds and vines. If your home has fences, make sure to go through an inspection of it as well.
Repairs, Upgrades, and Maintenance
1. Address repairs and upgrades
Once you’re able to identify the areas of your home that needs improvement, you can either do these repairs and upgrades yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. Doing things yourself will save you money while hiring an expert will help you save time in working on the repairs.
Your ability to conduct repairs on your own can depend on your experience level or the difficulty of the job, but when you don’t have the time and skill to do the necessary repairs in your home, it’s time to hire a pro.
2. Decluttering and Preparing for Listing
Decluttering and preparing your home before selling is a huge part of the process. There is a lot of work that goes into preparing for and listing your home for sale, but don't let that scare you away!
You can use these tools to remove any personal items that might create emotional attachments and make it easier to sell your home. There are a few more things you might want to consider in preparing your home for sale such as repainting your rooms whether it’s touch-ups or repainting them with new colors. You might also want to consider upgrading your worn carpets and resurfacing your hardwood floors.
A part of decluttering is the depersonalization of your home. Remove personal items such as picture frames, recognitions, and other personal valuables. To give your home more space, you can choose to remove or rearrange your furniture.
Preparing also includes cleaning your glass windows, polish your wooden doors, and remove and clean any screens around your home. You have to pay attention to your home’s curb appeal too! It’s the first thing a potential buyer will be seeing upon arriving at your home.
Repainting your exterior walls, planting flower beds, and maintaining your lawn can make a huge difference. According to the National Association of Realtors, you can expect a 100% ROI on landscape maintenance.
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Listing, Showing, and Closing Your Home
1. Listing Your Home
Now that you’ve successfully completed your renovations, repairs, and upgrades, it’s time to price your home. It’s best to speak with your Austin real estate agent who will provide you with a report of the recently sold homes in your neighborhood.
Your real estate agent will also explain to you the market trends in your area so you know what to expect upon selling your home. A part of this process is discussing how much you need from the home sale to cover your mortgage balance, real estate commissions, and closing costs.
2. Home Showing
As mentioned above, before you begin showing your home, it’s important to depersonalize or remove personal items. These personal items include pictures, certificates, collections, memorabilia, and family elements. This allows potential buyers to feel comfortable and visualize living in the place when visiting your home.
Another thing to add to your home selling checklist is to ensure the areas of your home are clean. Your beds are made, your bathroom must be dry and cleaned, and your closet must be organized. It’s also recommended that you or your family aren’t around during shows, and if you have pets, take them for a walk or consider taking them to your friend or relative during shows.
3. Offer Evaluation
Your buyers have submitted their offers and it’s time for your to evaluate. Receiving an offer is one of the exciting things when selling your home.
Depending on the market situation and the area your home is situated, you can generate multiple offers when selling your home. Know the price range and contract conditions you’re willing to accept. It is recommended that you also know the type of financing your buyers will have.
When comparing multiple offers, you’d want to take all aspects into consideration that could affect the transaction such as contingencies. Always consult with your real estate agent throughout the process.
4. Closing
Closing day is the most exciting part of the home selling process. It’s time to finalize the contracts with your agent and title company. During contract and close, you’ll be expected to submit a Home Inspection Report and Appraisal Report during the closing day and the days after.
You’ll be asked to submit your most recent tax statement, closing statement, and a 1099-S Tax Form. These are a few of the final documents you’ll need to provide to successfully close on your home.
Selling Your Austin Home Checklist
Selling a home is hard work, but it can be worth it if you put in the time and effort to make sure your property is presented well. If you considering selling your Austin home without the hassle and frazzle, speak to a real estate consultant!
Our Austin real estate agents are experienced, knowledgeable, trained in the art of negotiations, and can help you get the most out of your home’s value.
For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.
Posted by Ryan Rodenbeck on
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