Sell Your Home the Smart Way

So you’re ready to sell your house. While 2021 might have gotten off to a rocky start, selling your home to move onto your next adventure is one way to turn life’s lemons into a sweet pitcher of lemonade.

No matter what else is going on in the world, selling your house is always a big deal. You probably have countless memories there, and you’ve spent time, money and effort making it a special place. Just remember, if selling is the right thing for you and your family, it’s worth it!

If you’re ready to make a move, you want to do it the smart way. This article will help you learn how to sell your house quickly and for the most money.

Let’s get started!

How to Sell a House in 7 Steps

Selling your house and moving is a big transition to make, but it doesn’t need to be a stressful experience. Learn how to sell a house the right way with these seven steps!

1. Find a stellar real estate agent.

Real estate agents are a dime a dozen. That’s why you don’t need just any agent. You need the right agent. Find someone who will super-serve you, negotiate the best deal, and sell your house fast! As tempting as it is to have a relative, a friend from church, or your cousin’s husband’s buddy help you, always stick with a vetted professional who has experience and can sell your home for the most money in the shortest amount of time! Call Marcia today at 405-585-1773 for the experienced professional.

Can I sell my house myself?

Look, everybody loves saving money, and selling solo can seem like a great way to do just that. But is For Sale by Owner or FSBO really all it’s cracked up to be? First of all, if you really want to sell your home, you need to get it in front of buyers—and lots of them. This is where an agent comes in handy.

An experienced real estate agent will give your home a much-needed online presence through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which will expose it to thousands of potential buyers. Plus, an agent will develop a targeted strategy to market your house to their extensive network of buyers and agents.

Can you save big money by going FSBO? Not really. Even when you sell your home yourself, you still have to pay a commission to the buyer’s agent (typically 3% per agent of the sales price). You’d only save the commission on one side of the transaction.

A great agent will more than make up for that cost. Consider this: The latest National Association of Realtors data shows that the average home sold by an agent last year brought in $280,000. In contrast, the average FSBO home went for $200,000.1 That’s an $80,000 difference that an Agent can make!

Trust us—working with a great real estate agent helps you get the most money for your home.

2. Price your home to sell.

Remember this: Your home is only worth what buyers are willing to pay. Therefore, you need to think objectively about your home’s value. If you’ve lived in your home long enough to make memories, those sentimental ties could cloud your judgment. So, stick to the facts as much as possible when you estimate how much your home could sell for.

The best way to determine your home's value is to ask a real estate agent to run a comparative market analysis (CMA). This free report compares your home to other homes near you that are comparable in size, have similar features, are currently on the market, or have sold in recent months. The comparison allows your agent to more accurately predict what buyers will pay for your home.

Your CMA will offer several pages of information, including photos and a map of all the properties in the analysis. A true pro will take time to walk you through the results so you understand exactly how your home stacks up against the competition. With this information in hand, you can work with your agent to set a competitive price that’s based on fact, not emotion.

3. Set a home-selling timeline.

Make the most of the weeks and months leading up to your home sale. If you have an idea of when you want to list your house, break your to-do list into manageable bite-size pieces. The timeline below will get you started. Of course, you can adjust according to your own needs and personal schedule.

ASAP

• Interview real estate agents: Take time to find a pro who has a proven track record and confidence to boot.

• Outline a plan: Work with your agent to set priorities so you can focus on finishing one task at a time.

• Declutter: Decide what you can live without until your home sells. Then pack it up and get it out!

2–3 Months Before Listing

• Hire a home inspector: Identifying issues early in the home-selling process lets you work the cost of repairs into your budget on the front end so they don’t wreck your deal later.

• Tackle repairs: Ask your agent where your fix-it dollars will do the most good.

1–2 Months Before Listing

• Set the stage: Create an inviting space that lets buyers see your house as their home.

• Deep clean: Scrub every surface until it shines. Hire a pro to make carpets and rugs look—and smell—new again.

• Apply finishing touches: Get your home picture-perfect so your photographer can capture it in the best possible condition.

Again, the key to keeping stress at bay during the weeks and months leading up to putting your home on the market is to make a plan—and then follow that plan. Working with a pro can help you relax and understand the selling process so you have realistic expectations.

4. Consider getting a home inspection before listing.

Most home buyers know it pays to get a home inspection. But did you realize it’s a worthwhile tool for home sellers too? It’s true!

A presale inspection might cost a few hundred dollars, but it’ll be money well spent. Why? Because it can keep buyers from demanding big bucks during negotiations.

So, what’s included in a home inspection?

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), a home inspection covers:2

• Electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems
• Windows, ceilings, walls, doors and floors
• Attic, visible insulation and roof
• Foundation, structural elements and basement

A qualified home inspector combs a property’s accessible areas to assess the home’s condition and identify any health and safety issues. Once the inspection is complete, you’ll receive a detailed report outlining what works and what doesn’t, with recommendations for maintenance and repairs.

Don’t worry about addressing every single finding in your home inspection, but you should pay attention to big-ticket issues. These can scare buyers into asking for way more money than it actually takes to fix them. Your agent can help you sort through the inspection findings, b