Selling a home when you’re caring for a family can be demanding. You’re trying to get the best financial return on your home and keep it clean at all times for showings. There are tight deadlines to meet and baseball practice to attend. You must remember to notify the utilities of your move date and ensure you have service at your new residence. There is so much to be done that it is easy to overlook important dates, chores or errands. A home selling checklist can help you stay organized and ensure you meet important deadlines. Below you’ll find a list of items to help you manage the myriad tasks you face when selling your home.
Develop a Plan
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Before listing your home, determine how quickly you need to sell and how much you need from the sale. Having a bottom line figure will prepare you if a buyer wants to negotiate. Decide if you want to sell your home on your own or use a real estate agent. If you choose to use a real estate agent, interview at least three and choose one you can work well with. In the event that you choose to sell your home yourself, you will need a real estate attorney.
Perform Market Research
Determine whether you’re in a buyer’s or seller’s market by comparing list prices of homes with the price they actually sold for. Pay close attention to the number of days on the market. Compare comparable sales in your neighborhood or have your real estate agent prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report. Research the number of newly constructed homes and foreclosures that are in the area. Attend open houses in your neighborhood to gain understanding of how others are pricing their homes. Gather all important documents relevant to the sale of your home such as surveys, inspections, the previous year’s tax bill and deed restrictions.
Clean and Stage Your Home
Keeping your home clean when you have young children can be challenging. Make sure you have picked up and put away any toys left lying about the house and yard. You may consider holding a yard sale to help get rid of items you no longer want or use to help declutter your home. Remove any items with lingering pet odors, and deodorize areas where there is a potential for unpleasant smells such as diaper pails. Once you have given your home a thorough cleaning, it may be helpful to restrict eating to the kitchen area and set designated play areas for children. If you have decorated a bedroom in a child’s theme, remove any wallpaper and repaint it in a neutral color. Make any necessary repairs and add curb appeal with a nicely landscaped lawn and flowering plants.
Safety Precautions
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You and your family’s safety are of the utmost importance when selling your home. It’s crucial to take precautions when you have strangers entering your home. Remove any photos of your family. It is a commonly used practice in staging and will maintain your privacy. Don’t leave jewelry or other valuable belongings out in plain sight. Remove any prescription medications from your medicine cabinet and check all of the window and door locks to make sure they are secure. Do not show your home to anyone who walks up if you don’t know them. If you don’t have one already, you may want to consider a security system or camera.
Market Your Home
The internet provides the widest reach for marketing your home. There are many sites available online where you can post listings such as Craigslist.com. You can also create your own website or market it on social media sites. Take photos or use a video camera to record a tour of the home and post it online. There are an abundance of print real estate publications where you can advertise, and many people still look in the local classifieds section of the newspaper for real estate. Create flyers about your home and network with friends, family and coworkers to locate potential buyers. Place a “For Sale” sign in your yard to attract potential buyers who may be searching in the local area. Listing your home on the MLS will make local real estate agents aware that your home is on the market.
Schedule Showings
An hour or two before the showing, open the windows to allow fresh air into the house. Open drapes and blinds or turn on lights as needed to brighten each room. Store any children’s items such as toys, bikes or skateboards. Turn off the television and keep pets away from prospective buyers. If you have small children, plan a visit to the park or a neighbor’s while your home is being shown. In the event this isn’t possible, try to keep them quiet.
Review Offers and Negotiate
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You will need to review any offers you receive on your home, noting the price, contingencies, pre approval letters and amount of earnest money. Avoid becoming emotional when you receive low offers. There is still a negotiation period. If you’re unwilling to sacrifice on price, consider offering incentives that don’t require money out of pocket such as paying part or all of the closing costs or including furnishings or appliances with the sale. If you have not yet found another home, consider adding a clause to “rent back” the home until closing. Remember to schedule a closing date.
Prepare for Escrow
During the escrow period, you will need to ensure that any repairs needed are completed and that the home has been thoroughly cleaned. An inspection and appraisal will also be completed during this time. You will need to choose a title company to perform a title search and prepare the closing documents as well. Once the closing documents are signed, you move to your new home.
