Selling a home is not a decision that most people take lightly. You could be selling your home because you need to move for a new job, or your family has outgrown it. Maybe your children are grown, and it is time to downsize. Whatever the reason, selling a home can be a stressful time as emotions flare and worries manifest that things will not go smoothly.
Here are five ways to manage expectations and keep things stress-free during the process of selling your home!
#1. Make a Strategic Plan
Every successful home sale starts with a strategic plan. There are multiple things to consider before you take the leap to sell your home. For example, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of people looking to buy a home. However, inventory has been low, thus making it a seller’s market and a good time to sell your home.
One thing to consider in your plan is the deadline by which you need to sell your home. Are you starting a new job in another area? Or maybe you need the proceeds of your home to purchase your next home? If for some reason your home does not sell quickly, this can become a serious stressor. You need to have a backup plan. If your financial situation allows, you might consider buying a home first and then selling your existing home. Be upfront with your realtor and plan a realistic timeframe that both of you can agree on for selling your home.
#2. Set the Right Price
It is not being greedy to want to get the highest price possible for your home, especially in a sellers’ market. However, setting a price that is too high can turn off potential buyers or cause stress once you have a signed contract. If you have a buyer willing to purchase your home at a price that is much more than it is actually worth, it could be a deal-breaker if your home appraisal comes in significantly lower.
Your realtor can help you determine what is the best price for your home by using their comps to see what similar homes in your area have recently sold for. They can also advise you on what to look for in offers for your home that address the potentiality of it not appraising at the value of the price offered. This can help avoid stress during the closing period of your sale.
#3. Deal with the Pressure of Making Your House Look Perfect
You will want your home to look its best for its open house and any other subsequent showings. This, of course, can be a little difficult if you have children or pets running around. To help take some of the stress off selling a home, consider having a cleaning service come in to do any major cleaning that needs to be done before showing your home.
It is also a good idea to repaint rooms that do not have a neutral color scheme to avoid turning off some potential buyers. Your child might love having black or purple walls in their bedroom, but a potential buyer sees a hassle. Before showing your home, ask your realtor to point out any issues that could be a sticking point in selling it, and what repairs or changes should and shouldn’t be made.
Once your home is ready to be shown, you can reduce your stress by getting in the habit of adjusting your cleaning schedule. This will help avoid last-minute stress that your home is a mess if you have a buyer that would like to see your house.
#4. Set Boundaries for Showings
Today, especially in the era of COVID, your home may also be your workplace, classroom, and entertainment venue. It is wise to discuss boundaries for showings with your realtor before you get started.
Of course, you, your family, and your pets should not be home when your realtor conducts the open house. This is for multiple reasons, including:
- Potential buyers may feel uncomfortable looking around when the homeowner is present.
- Selling a home is often a very emotional experience for families and it is best for everyone not to be around.
- You don’t want to worry about your pets getting hurt or loose during an open house.
You need to plan to be out of your home for several hours on the day of your open house. In today’s sellers’ market, the open house could be the one major showing day. However, you do need to allow for other showings or inspections to occur. Be upfront with your realtor but be prepared to offer some flexibility for when your home can be shown. The best way to avoid last-minute stress is to have a preplanned place to go, including somewhere you can take your pets to for their safety and that of people coming into your home.
#5. Choose the Right Realtor from the Start
The most important thing when selling a home is to choose the right realtor from the start. Your realtor will be working for you and should always be looking out for your best interests in selling your home. You may want to interview several before making your decision, but here are a few things to consider before making your decision:
- Is the realtor from your area and knowledgeable of it?
- What is the realtor’s track record for selling homes recently?
- Would people you know who recently sold homes near you recommend their realtor?
- Are you comfortable with the realtor representing you and acting as your advocate during the selling process?
- Is the realtor willing and able to listen to your concerns and answer questions you have about selling your home?
- What type of marketing strategies does the realtor use, especially now since most homebuyers start their search on the internet?
For all these above reasons and more, choosing Palmetto Realty is one of the best ways to keep things stress-free when selling a home in the DeLand area. We know DeLand and Volusia County and offer a hands-on approach to ensure our clients are taken care of. By blending in cutting-edge technology and innovative marketing, you can rest assured you are in good hands throughout the entire selling process.