Simple steps to selling a house

Thinking of selling your house? Welcome to the fast-paced real estate marketplace!

While every real estate transaction is different and all are usually somewhat complicated, you can make things a lot easier on yourself by entering the real estate marketplace with a plan.

Steps to selling a house

So, what is your plan? If you?re selling, are you also buying? Where do you want to move to? Narrow down your search to a couple of neighborhoods and start attending open house events. In addition to finding the right neighborhood, select the size and style of the house you want, and go over your finances to carefully figure out what you can realistically afford.

Interview real estate agents. Ask friends, family, neighbors and colleagues for recommendations, and conduct interviews. You want someone who is knowledgeable and easy to work with. Ask about fees, preparing your home for sale, how he or she will price your home, etc. Be certain to find someone who knows your neighborhood and community as well as they know their own!

Find a lender. Do you have an existing mortgage? How much will you need to pay it off? What fees are involved in the transaction? Are you also buying a new property? If so, you?ll be taken more seriously if you get pre-approved by your lender. And be sure to work with both your Realtor and lender to determine what you can realistically afford.

In most cases, you?ll also want to sell before you buy because you?ll need the proceeds from the sale of your current home to close on your new property. Very few individuals can afford to be paying two mortgages at the same time.

Quick steps to selling a house

  • Know your home?s real market value. Not all three-bedroom, two-bath homes are the same!
  • Review your home?s overall condition, and then make repairs, clean and remove clutter before scheduling an open house.
  • Watch what other homes in your neighborhood are selling for, and price competitively.
  • Pay attention to your curb appeal and your online appeal. Poor online photos are a good way to turn off potential buyers.

Once you?ve given serious thought to creating a plan, find a Realtor who can guide you through the steps to selling a home. For more information, please contact The Olear Team today!