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Do I need a realtor to sell my home?
It is the job of a professional realtor to navigate the complex real estate business. Hiring a realtor can be a huge source of information, as well as a relief from many of the onerous tasks of selling a house. A realtor will help you determine a fair asking price, complete and file necessary documents. They will be able to list your home on multiple sites. They will create and pay for marketing and advertising to get your home in front of potential buyers. They will put on open houses and individual showings. And their experience will help them determine who is most likely to buy, who are qualified buyers and to negotiate prices. They can help you navigate paperwork, appraisal and inspections. There is a lot that goes into selling a house, and a professional realtor can be a valuable resource.
What improvements should I make before selling my house?
Depending on the overall condition of your home, it might be best to make some big improvements before putting your house on the market. If your property needs a lot of work throughout the home to make it livable, you can think about skipping the costly renovations and selling as-is. However, something like a new roof could be taking more off the price of your house than it would cost to replace it.
Little improvements are important as well, as they help show your home in its best light to buyers and are generally low cost. Give your house a thorough cleaning (windows, vents, tiles and floors), fresh coats of paint, repair the small things like leaky faucets, declutter and remove any tattered furniture, add air fresheners and remove items that might represent views potential buyers might not hold. Remember that selling requires home staging. You want your potential buyers to be able to easily see themselves living in your property.
What should I consider when viewing a home?
When you’re buying a house you should be thinking not just about the present but also the future. What will your needs look like in 5 years? Will the house need a lot of upkeep? Ask questions about the roof, the furnace, the plumbing. Find out what has been recently replaced and what hasn’t. It’s also a good idea to have a list of your minimum requirements. The number of bedrooms, the floor plan, the size of the yard. Try to picture yourself living in the home and how it would feel to be there daily.
How do I know if a home is worth the price?
There are many factors that go into determining the price of a house. The condition of the house, renovations or improvements that have been made, as well as the neighborhood all are factors. But the only person who can determine whether a house is worth the price is you. Your real estate agent is a great source of information. They can help you see problem areas (or benefits) with a house you may miss, tell you key details about the community and the value of homes in the area. You can also do some of your own research, talking to anyone you may know who lives in the area, searching online for local attractions, etc. Once you’ve gathered the best information you can about the house and the community, you’ll have a better idea of whether a home is worth the price to you.