If you’re trying to sell a house for the first time, you’ll quickly realize just how complex the process can be. Between preparing the house, choosing how to sell, and dealing with potential buyers, you’ll have a lot on your plate. And the process isn’t helped by all the unsolicited advice you’re about to get — house sales is one of those topics that gets everyone claiming to be an expert.
But don’t worry. While the process of selling a house is sometimes time-consuming, it doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful. Here are some tips that can help you avoid drama when looking to sell a house.
1. Look into your options
If you’re not familiar with the real estate market, you may be under the impression that working with an agent is the only way to sell. And that can be a good option, but it’s not the only option. And it can be quite frustrating to spend time and effort on an agent only to learn months down the line that there was a better way.
There are three main options when it comes to selling a house: you can work with an agent, list it as for sale by owner (FSBO), or you can sell to a home-buying business. The latter is the faster and simplest way to sell. If you’re not familiar with home-buying companies, you can check the “we buy houses in Chattanooga” section of this website.
Working with a real estate agent often leads to a higher closing price, but there are agent fees to consider. Listing it as FSBO can be complex and time-consuming, but you’ll get a bigger cut of the final pie. And finally, home-buying companies will typically pay below market price, but it is the only option that ensures you’ll close the deal in weeks instead of months. It’s worth digging deeper into all three of these options to see which is a better fit for you.
2. Choose the right team
If you’re working with a real estate agent or a home-buying company, it’s important to choose your professional carefully. A bad real estate agent, for example, can make the sale process much slower, and they may be unable to secure your asking price. You’ll want to check the reputation and track record of whoever you’re working with.
3. Boost appeal
Getting your home ready for sale is an art, and the value of doing so shouldn’t be underestimated. Hiring a decorator and a professional photographer can greatly increase your chances of finding a buyer fast and securing your asking price. This is especially true when trying to list your house as FSBO.
4. Know your limits
It can be tempting to try and get as much for the house as possible. However, it’s far too common for inexperienced sellers to start off strong and enthusiastic, only to lose their will as the house sits unsold for months and months.
If you can’t afford to take over a year to sell the house, you should price it and choose a sale method accordingly. And if you can’t fit dealing with dozens of potential buyers into your schedule, it’s best not to try and list it as FSBO. If you put yourself in a position where you’re tired and frustrated with the sale process, you’ll be much more likely to accept a lowball offer just to stop worrying about the house.