If you have too much home for your needs and are looking to downsize, you’re probably considering selling your home—especially given the demand for homes in much of the country right now. And if you’re feeling particularly ambitious to learn something new and save some money at the same time, you can list and sell your home on your own—without the help of a realtor.
Selling a home on your own can cut the fees you would pay to brokers by nearly two-thirds, so if you have the time and patience, it may be worthy of your consideration. Corning Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at five tips to list and sell your own home successfully.
- Do Your Homework for the Listing Price
There are now more places than ever to do a competitive analysis to see what houses are going for in your area. You can search sites like Zillow.com and Remax.com right down to your zip code and see all of the available houses and recently purchased ones in your area. You can also invite agents to your home to tour it, as they will be trying to get your business, and they can offer some pricing insights as well. One tip is to start a little higher than you would normally think because you can always lower the price, and that’s better than selling at under market value.
- Get Familiar with MLS
MLS, the Multiple Listing Service, is how to get your home on places like the websites we mentioned above. A basic listing will run you around $100, while you can add extras like virtual tours and other perks to get your listing noticed.
- Get a Lawyer
Once you’re under contract, have a lawyer look it over before you sign. The extra expense is the worth the peace of mind it will bring to make sure your rights are protected.
- Stage the Home
Declutter, get the landscaping in order, and pack up any personal effects that might make prospective buyers think that they’re visiting your home instead of imagining it as theirs.
- Accept the Best Offer, Not the Highest
Accepting a high offer with shaky financing can cause you more trouble down the road if the deal falls apart, so be sure to inspect the whole offer. Good signs include preapproved mortgages and larger down payments.
To learn more about Corning Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://corning-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org/.
