Selling a house is an arduous and often overwhelming process. It requires time, hard work, and often a great deal of patience. The undertaking can be especially frustrating when it takes longer than expected or if the sale proceeds don’t meet expectations. Regardless of how experienced or knowledgeable you may be in the housing market, the process of selling your home can be daunting. But with some planning and preparation, the process can be made much more manageable for first-time sellers, even allowing them to sell quickly and for more. Read on, then, to find out what you need to know when selling a house for the first time in East Hanover and Morris County.
Hire a Professional to Make Repairs
The first step in selling a house is making needed repairs. Your house has to be in good repair and looking its absolute best when it hits the market. And the consensus among industry pros is that you hire a professional to make those needed repairs.
“Start compiling a list of projects for your handyman to take care of, so that you can complete the work quickly and efficiently. Several improvements that are typically made before putting a home on the market include repainting walls or touching up paint, patching any unsightly holes in the wall, installing light fixtures, replacing burnt-out lightbulbs, and regrouting dirty tile.”
Stage It
Next, you’ll need to stage your home. Unfortunately, this is a step often neglected by those selling a house for the first time in East Hanover and Morris County. But it shouldn’t be because staged homes typically sell more quickly and at a better price. “Unlike an empty home, where buyers have to use their imaginations to envision what life would look like inside the home, a staged home enables buyers to more easily visualize their furniture and belongings inside the space.”
Before you begin staging, though, be sure to declutter and depersonalize thoroughly. “This means getting rid of the majority of your picture frames, extra knick-knacks, and anything that makes the home look smaller than it actually is. Remember: less is more when it comes to staging a home.”
Get Top-Notch Listing Photos
Also of prime importance for selling a house is getting top-notch, professional-quality listing photos. Great listing photos are more important today than they’ve ever been because so many buyers do most of their house hunting online.
“Most home buyers start their search for a house online, which means your listing photos will be the first thing they see. Make them count with top-notch, professional quality. Your listing photos could be the difference between a home with no traction and a home with multiple offers. In fact, in markets that are saturated with buyers, you may have multiple bids from homebuyers who haven’t seen the property in person yet.”
Your best bet is to hire a professional real estate photographer to take your listing photos. Also, some agents include listing photos in their package of service. To discover more about this, consult a East Hanover and Morris County agent at (973) 887-2500.
Price It Correctly
Selling a house calls for correct pricing, neither too high nor too low, but in line with market value. Getting the price right is critical and often difficult for those selling for the first time.
“What you don’t want to do when selling a home for the first time [is] make one or more price cuts while it’s on the market. Price cuts often signal to buyers that something must be wrong with the home (after all, why isn’t it selling?). Listing the home too high will also prolong the amount of time it takes to sell the property. To avoid price cuts, be sure to price it right the first time around.”
To price your house correctly, you can have a East Hanover and Morris County agent perform a comparative market analysis. This will allow you to know what very similar homes in your neighborhood have recently sold for. For pricing assistance, contact an agent at (973) 887-2500.
Be Prepared for Closing
The final step in selling a house is closing. And you need to be prepared for closing day and what you’ll encounter at the closing table, chiefly the mountain of paperwork.
“Assuming the home passed inspection, and the buyer secured their financing, you’ll soon find yourself with a handful of closing documents to sign. Make sure to do your homework beforehand, so that you know exactly what you’re signing.” You can ask your agent for a summary of all the documents before closing.
In addition, you’ll “be expected to hand over all keys to the new buyers. Other items you should leave with the buyers include any remotes or devices that control home systems. Information on punch codes as well as warranties and manuals for various appliances should also be left with the buyers.”
Hire an Experienced East Hanover and Morris County Agent
Selling a house for the first time in East Hanover and Morris County can be a daunting task. However, hiring an experienced local agent can make all the difference. An experienced agent will guide you through the entire process, from gathering all the necessary documents to navigating complex negotiations. Additionally, they have access to a larger network of interested buyers and can generate maximum value for your home. Working with an experienced local agent may be one of the best decisions you make when selling your house. Our agents have the expertise and experience and are ready to assist you. So if you’re selling a house for the first time in East Hanover and Morris County, contact us today at (973) 887-2500.
