Selling your home is a big deal! The process is exciting, but the excitement of selling your home and moving into a new place brings many questions. Heney Realtors is here to answer some common questions from sellers to bring clarity to the home selling process.
What do I need to do to my home before listing it?
Before listing your home, you should clean, clean, and then clean some more! Potential buyers want to envision themselves on your property. Buyers like imagining their lives on a clean, well maintained property, not a dirty and smelly one. Make sure your home is clean before listing it on the market. If you want to do more, depersonalizing your home by taking actions like removing family photos, toothbrushes, and papers on the fridge will help buyers visualize their life on your property.
What is staging, and why is it important?
Staging focuses on the potential of a space, not the present. By arranging neutral, modern props, buyers will be able to envision the potential of the space and be more likely to place an offer. Past results have proven that staged homes sell more quickly and for a higher price than homes not staged. If you have questions about staging your home, Heney Realtors can come out to survey your space and give suggestions. Get started by reading our staging guide.
How much is my home worth?
Pricing your home is both an art and a science. Your home worth is based on the local market values. Use our home worth guide to inquire about how much your home is worth based on the current central Vermont market values. We take into consideration property type, the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, lot size, home condition, etc. Pricing your home becomes an art because you are determining what a potential buyer will pay for it. Looking at how other homes have sold in the area can help determine a reasonable listing price. Ultimately, you want to listen to a listing agent when deciding the price of your home because overvaluing your home can lead to a much lower sale price later in the process. Buyers see homes with a decreased price as a red flag, so knock the ball out of the park on pricing the first time around!
Should I be present and welcome the buyer when they tour my home?
Although the intention can come from a good place of wanting to show the buyer your favorite home features, it’s best to run an errand and get out of the house when a potential buyer is touring your home. Communicate with your listing agent and let them know about special features unique to your home they should show the buyers. Being present during a showing can create an uncomfortable atmosphere for the buyer because they won’t want to ask potentially offensive questions. Buyers will not see your home with the same loving affection as you do, and they may be quick to point out imperfections. It’s best for all parties if the agent acts as a liaison between both parties so the buyers can tour the home without judgment.
How much is a real estate agent’s commission, and who pays it?
Sellers are responsible for a real estate agent’s commission. The cost is often between 5% and 8% of the sale price, with 6% being a common figure for commission. A real estate agent’s commission is well worth the cost because the home sells for more with an agent than without an agent. A lot of time and effort goes into creating a market analysis, digital marketing plan, home stagings, showings, and more. Agents take care of contracts and simplify the selling process for you. Hiring a real estate agent takes the workload off your shoulders, and their tactics ensure that the home will sell for the highest price possible.
How do I get started selling my home?
Contact Heney Realtors today, and we will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss selling your central Vermont home! We know the Central Vermont market inside and out and leverage modern technology strategies to sell your home as quickly as possible for the best price around.