6 things to remember when selling a house
A house is a lot more than a space to dwell in. It becomes an inseparable part of the lives of its inhabitants, emerging as a backdrop for many milestones and memories. This is why selling one’s home can feel like a difficult decision, even if necessary. So, here are some things homeowners should remember when selling their houses, including evaluating the house’s condition and considering logistical aspects of the sale.
Ensure that the property is well-maintained
It is common for homeowners to sell off their property when it becomes rather old and starts posing multiple issues. Nevertheless, a poorly maintained home can deter buyers because they will have to spend more on repair work and maintenance. So, before offering a property for sale, one should inspect it thoroughly for cracks and leakages, pests, furniture repairs (if one is selling the house furnished), etc. If there are any cracks or possibilities of leakages, one should immediately cement these gaps. If the paint is peeling off from the walls, it is best to have it painted or whitewashed before it is presented to potential buyers. A pest control company should be called in to get rid of any pests in the home.
Carry out a real-estate background check on the buyer
A real-estate background check is a thorough background investigation of a home buyer, seller, or any other entity in real estate. By conducting a real-estate background check on a potential home buyer, one can ensure that the person to whom one is selling their home is genuine and trustworthy. Without a background check, one may run into legal or ethical issues in the future. Checking the buyer’s background at one’s end and asking for identity proof is a given. Still, it is always better to go one step further and seek professional assistance in carrying out this verification. Professional real-estate background checks include different aspects, such as the buyer’s credit score, criminal records, employment verification, and eviction records.
Quote a price based on the property’s current market value
Although one may have bought the property for a much lower price earlier, property values usually appreciate with time. That’s why one should always quote a price for their property based on its current market value and not the price at which it was originally bought. In case there is a depreciation of property value because of reasons like irreparable damage to the property or problems in the locality, one should consider such factors and quote a fair price. It is important to consider factors like its condition, how old the property is, inflation, and the rate of development in its locality to calculate the current market value. A professional appraisal of the property must consider all these factors and arrive at a quote.
Collate all the documents of ownership
When selling off one’s home, one needs to reproduce several documents to establish and prove one’s ownership over it. If there are any problems with property ownership, it can cause delays in selling the house. So, one should have all the ownership documents ready beforehand so that if an issue occurs, it can be sorted before it’s time to hand over the property to its new owners. Here are some of the documents the seller of a home needs to present:
Appraisal: An appraisal document states a house’s current market value. As mentioned, an appraisal is typically required to determine a property’s market value. So, one should conduct this appraisal and have the document ready.
Original sales contract: The original sales contract is the agreement between the current homeowner and its previous owner.
Mortgage statement (if applicable): If one plans to sell off their property before paying off the entire mortgage amount, one should contact the lender and request a statement that presents the payoff amount.
Insurance, repair, and maintenance records: If any repair work has been carried out in one’s home before it is sold, the buyer should be transparent with records of such repair work. Repair and maintenance records should also be presented to buyers.
Post high-definition photos and videos of the home
These days, there are several online platforms where one can post photos, videos, and information about the house to be sold and easily connect with potential buyers. However, the photos and videos of the home form the first impression of it in potential buyers’ minds, so it is important to post only high-definition photos and videos of the home on these sites. Also, one should post photos and videos of all the rooms in the house, including bathrooms, balconies, lawns or backyards, and the garage, so that those interested have a holistic view.
Negotiate tactfully
Negotiation at the finalization stage is crucial to strike the best deals and gain a fair profit. At the same time, one should not be too adamant and unrealistic about the quoted price. So, before presenting the house to buyers, one should set a final price with some leeway for negotiation. This way, even if buyers negotiate for a smaller amount, one can still ensure profits for the home.