Whether it’s excitement about getting into the next home, worrying about how much you’ll be able to make off of the sale, or nostalgia over leaving a home with many memories, selling your home can come with a lot of emotion. As agents, we understand every seller has unique needs and reasons for selling. We approach each client with lots of questions to ensure you’re able to get where you need to go next.
If you’ve never sold a house before, or it’s been some time and you’d like a refresher on how it all works, you’ll find the 11 main steps involved below.
1. Hire a real estate agent: go over comparative market analysis (CMA), discuss price and decide list date
2. Make necessary repairs/updates to your home: not always necessary, but your agent can make suggestions in this area to ensure an easier sale
3. Declutter and stage your home: staging is optional, but highly recommended!
4. Get professional photos: most buyers find their home online, so high quality photos are more important now than ever
5. Agent makes your listing live on the market: when ready, your listing along with the photos will be posted into your local MLS
6. Open houses & tours: your agent will host open houses to attract buyers, and buyers may also tour your home privately with their own agent
7. Receive offers and accept one! your agent will explain each offer and help you choose the best one
8. Buyer will schedule an inspection: the buyer will have an inspector go through the house and take note of any physical issues
9. Buyer's lender will order an appraisal: a licensed appraiser will assess the fair market value of the home
10. Just before closing: review and sign your closing disclosure, prepare a check or wire to pay closing costs and attend the final walkthrough
11. Close on your sale! sign final documents with escrow agent and ask any final questions
