Time To Sell Your Home? Here's What To Do Next
You've decided to sell your Sun Valley home or condo. (Or your property in Ketchum, Warm Springs, Elkhorn, South of Ketchum, Hailey or Bellevue - I work in all of these markets!) Now that the big decision has been made, you have lots to do. To help you prepare, here are the steps involved in a typical home sale.
Timing - When's the Right Time to Sell?
Timing your home sale can be tricky, especially when you take our unpredictable economic environment into account. Conventional wisdom says spring is the best time to sell a home. During the spring, gardens are blooming, the holidays are behind us, and the new school year is distant. Because spring is a favorite season to sell, there's a huge increase in competition. You'll need to use clever marketing and staging techniques to make your property stand out among the others.
Typically, you'll want to avoid selling in December and January. Buyers tend to be distracted and budgets are often stretched thin during the holiday months.
Pricing - Selling at the Highest Price Possible
First, find out what your Sun Valley home is worth by reviewing your recent property tax bill, which is a percentage of your home's fair market value. A word of caution - county assessed values are usually one year old and thus lag behind the market. The assessed value is simply a guide.
The best thing to do is to call me to view your home and give you a Comparable Market Analysis. The CMA will compare your home to those which have sold in your neighborhood plus it will analyze current listings in relation to your home and location.
Several factors determine your home's market value -property condition, square footage, lot size, location, amenities, and recent comparable sales.
There are some simple things you can do to increase the value of your home, starting with removing clutter, painting and washing the walls, and installing high watt bulbs to provide a brighter living space. Larger renovation projects, like redoing kitchens and bathrooms, typically yield a more substantial increase in sales price.
Deep Clean For A Great First Impression
Roll up your sleeves and give your appliances, windows, lighting, and every crevice inside the house a deep cleaning. Powerwash siding, shutters, and give the outside of your windows a good scrub to boost your home's curb appeal! Maintaining your home and not allowing grime to build up will keep these tasks manageable when it's time to sell.
The biggest take-away here is that you only have one chance to make a great first impression. It's always best to list your home when it looks its absolute best.
Get Your Toolbelt Out
You'll want to repair any items that are noticeably broken. Broken or worn out items in your house send a message to a buyer that the house hasn't been properly maintained and there might be problems of larger consequence in areas that can't been seen.
Other things needing attention may come up during your home inspection, but you can get ahead of this by checking gutters, drainage, basement leaks, flooring, cabinets and more. Applying a fresh coat of paint and fixing any areas where there's chipped paint, as well as repairing grout in the kitchen and bathroom can give your home a well-cared-for appearance.
Set the Stage
Staging your home helps paint a picture for how buyers will feel living in their new space. Don't underestimate the importance of staging; research shows well-staged homes sell faster than homes that haven't been staged. Start with the lighting. Ample lighting is important for making your home feel bright and welcoming. Keep window coverings open and increase the wattage of the bulbs in your lamps and fixtures.
You'll also need to get rid of unnecessary furniture and clutter. Extra couches, chairs, tables, and knick knacks can make your home feel cluttered and make it difficult for a potential buyer to imagine themselves living there. There's no need to get rid of everything; you can put some items in storage to use in your next home. Stow your family portraits and personal items. I would be happy to do a walk-through with you to help you look at your home through a buyer's eyes.
I will work with you to schedule home showings at times convenient for you. I'll also make sure you have enough time to tidy up before a potential buyer arrives.
Frame Your Home With Professional Pictures
Smartphone photography just won't cut it. Whether you're selling your home for $100,000 or $10 million, I always hire a professional photographer to take photos. The first place potential buyers will see your home is online-and if the photos are poor quality, they'll click away and never schedule a showing.
Open Houses
While opening your doors for strangers to walk through your home may seem scary, it's one of the best tools for selling your home. I will recommend the best days and times for an open house and offer you staging suggestions. My goal is to expose your property to as many Realtors and neighbors as possible.
During an open house, it's best if you vacate the house along with any children or pets. Potential buyers will often feel awkward if they see you in your home. Remember, we want them to be able to picture themselves living there. We want a potential buyer to linger and envision themselves and their furniture in your space.
You've Received An Offer! Offers and Negotiation
Receiving an offer from a potential buyer is exciting. I have almost fifteen years of experience with offers and negotiation, so I'll be able to coach you on whether an offer is too low or has terms that are not in your best interest. I'll work with you on counter offers if needed and show you market statistics so you know how your house ranks to the overall market. I can offer you insight on what homes or condos are selling for your neighbhorhood. The offer may include other items like a request for you to sell your appliances or leave window coverings with the home. The offer will also outline a closing date-the day you'll sign the papers and transfer ownership to new owners.
Closing the Deal
With my background in title and escrow, I can provide you invaluable guidance through the closing process. My experience goes beyond getting you the best price for your home. Once you and the buyer agree on all terms, the buyer will need to schedule a home inspection which has the potential to change some of the terms of sale. Usually, on closing day, you'll have emptied the house of all your possessions and will pass the keys over to the proud new owners of your home.
How Sheila Liermann Can Help?
I can assist with all aspects of selling your home. I am skilled in pricing, marketing, and can help you navigate the intricacies of negotiations, inspections, and closing.
Need some guidance through the home selling process? Contact me today! My phone number is below.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Liermannn | Sun Valley Real Estate Broker 208.481.0450
Photo: 242 Mariposa in the Heatherlands. This pending sale is a perfect example of excellent staging and curb appeal. The home is scheduled to close April 24th. Call me if you are interested in seeing other desirable listings in the Heatherlands or the area we call "South of Ketchum." Mid-Valley is the best of all worlds - a quick jaunt to either Ketchum or Hailey.
