When buying or selling a home, it's important to know the industry secrets that can help you get through the process quickly. Knowing what to expect and following some simple tips can make your real estate transaction as smooth as possible. Here are a few of the best secrets for buying and selling your home quickly.
Getting ready to sell
Declutter your home
It can be challenging for home sellers to hear that they need to de-clutter their homes. Your loved and lived-in home doesn’t feel cluttered to you. However, your potential home buyers need to be able to imagine themselves in your home. That means that you need to remove anything that may make your home feel cluttered to others, even if it doesn’t feel that way to you. It’s a great idea to have a third party come in and take a look at your home to give you an unbiased opinion of what needs to go and what can stay.
On that same topic, it’s important to remove “personal” items from your home before having photos done or before scheduling an open house. Your games room filled with sports team memorabilia might not move a seller who has visions of a home library in their head. Your wall full of family pictures will make it hard for someone to picture their own family having fun in the living room.
Use this time as an opportunity to pack up those items you don’t use daily. Not only will this help you to de-clutter, but it will also save you time when you close the deal, and it’s time to move.
Make those repairs you’ve put off
Everyone has a running list of things that need repair in their home. You may call it your “honey-do” list or have another cute nickname, but whatever you call it, now is the time to tackle it. It may seem silly, but those minor fixes can make a huge difference when it’s time to make a first impression on a prospective buyer. Clean the gutters, fix the crack in the garage floor that’s been there for years, and replace the fencing if it’s been significantly worn. Not only will these repairs make your pictures look better, but they will save time once the home inspection is done; a careful buyer will want those repairs done anyway.
Speaking of pictures…
Once you’ve done all of the decluttering and depersonalizing, it’s time to schedule a professional photographer to come in and take some stunning photographs of your home. Remember, your goal is to focus on your home’s wow! factor. A great photographer will know how to do precisely that. They may suggest that you get a professional deep cleaning or have a professional home staging company come in to make some temporary changes to how your home looks; if you want a quick sale, then take these suggestions to heart.
When it’s time to buy
Determine your needs
Your new home search starts with figuring out your needs. Are you looking for Glen County luxury homes where you can raise a family, or are you looking for a one-bedroom with a home office because your children are all grown and on their own? Do you need a sprawling, functional kitchen, or would you prefer to have a games room? Do you want a large yard with room for a garden, or do you want minimal landscaping? You should consider these things if you want a quick home-buying process. The more specific you are in determining your wants and needs, the easier it will be to find the home that meets those needs.
However, if you can be flexible in your wants and needs, you’ll find a home quicker. If you can be flexible on certain items, list areas where you can be flexible. Three bedrooms may be the minimum to meet your family’s needs, but is four acceptable? While a home office may be necessary for you, are you willing to convert a bedroom to meet your needs?
Determine your budget
When you're ready to start looking for a new home, it's important to first determine your budget. The cost of the home is the most significant factor in determining your budget. Once you know what type of home you're looking for, you can start researching your area's prices. It's important to remember that the price is not the only cost associated with purchasing a home. You will also need to factor in the down payment and closing costs.
Get pre-qualified
Most homebuyers start the purchase process by researching homes online, visiting open houses, and getting a general idea of what they can afford. However, one of the most critical steps in the home-buying process is often overlooked: getting pre-qualified for a mortgage. Sellers are often more willing to accept an offer from a pre-qualified buyer, as it shows that you are serious about purchasing a home and have the financial means to do so. For these reasons, getting pre-qualified for your mortgage is always wise before beginning your search for a new home.
Many luxury home buyers may feel like they can skip this step because they don’t want to have a mortgage. However, having a mortgage means that you haven’t tied up hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash in one investment right away. It frees up your funds so that you can continue to invest through the coming years. If you think you may want to have money available for additional investments in the coming years, having a mortgage may help you make those financial goals a reality.
During both parts of the home buying and selling process, you must work with a great real estate agent who is familiar with the area and market in which you’re buying and selling. An agent familiar with Glen County luxury homes will be able to make sure you set the correct price for your current home and help you find a great home that meets your needs and is a solid investment for your future!
When buying or selling a luxury home, working with the right real estate professional is key to getting the job done quickly and efficiently. Jesselle Cook has extensive experience in the Glen County luxury homes market and can help you buy or sell your home for the best price possible. Contact Jesselle today to get started.
