If you know one thing about today’s housing market, know that it’s for sellers. Last year, home prices were up 19.8% in a matter of months, and the prices are still rising.

However, if you’ve never sold a home before, you may have some questions on how to get the most out of your sale. Luckily, we can help you with that! Let’s talk about the selling process, how to make the process easier, and how to maximize the sale of your home.

1. Understand the Selling Process

You may not be a first-time homebuyer anymore, if you, you can follow Ankeny home search to get listing alerts but selling is completely different. Your agent will help you understand a lot of this but, in a nutshell, you’ll have a few steps in the process, including:

  • Committing to a timeline
  • Hiring an agent
  • Completing a pre-sale inspection
  • Marketing
  • Home improvements
  • Negotiations
  • Closing

Of course, there are a lot of smaller steps in between these, including paperwork, phone calls, and plenty of other tasks. Your agent will handle a lot of these, so just try to remain on-call during the process to allow these steps to unfold as seamlessly as possible.

2. Hire the Right Agent

You’re going to see a lot of content online recommending specific agents, but if you’ve already purchased your home and loved your real estate agent, see if they can help you sell! If not, talk to people you trust in your area and find a realtor that can help you nearby.

The most important thing is to find an agent you trust. Keep in mind that selling a home is a very involved job. If you’re working full-time, you can’t do it alone, so do your research before choosing a realtor.

There are too many phone calls, emails, showings, logistics, paperwork, and negotiations to do on your own, and that’s not even mentioning the expert advice that a good realtor can offer. Always read reviews or testimonials and feel free to ask for references if you aren’t convinced!

3. Get an Inspection

Even though you’re selling, hire a thorough inspector. Read reviews online or ask for opinions from people you trust, and find an inspector who can go through everything in your home.

After that, you’ll have a much better idea of what needs fixing, the value of the home, and what to expect during negotiations.

4. Set the Right Price

After receiving your inspection report, deducting anything you intend to fix yourself, determine the right price to list your home for based on the building, its location, and the market nearby. This isn’t second nature for most of us, and your realtor will help you with pricing your home for sale, but it’s important to get the listing price right.

You may consider getting an appraisal, but that’s not always necessary, especially in today’s market. Take a look at comparable homes in the area and consult with your real estate agent to determine a fair market value.

5. Make Basic Repairs

Even if you aren’t the handiest person in the world, there are plenty of repairs and improvements you can make that could dramatically improve your home’s value. Watching a few videos online could teach you how to paint interior walls, fix hardware on doors or windows, and replace certain fixtures.It’s much trendier and you’ll have an easier time selling the place.

Remember, small things add up. Take a walk through your home with a critical eye as if you were an interested buyer looking to knock down the price. If you notice something that’s an easy fix, try your hand at it!

6. Improve Curb Appeal

Not only that but it could also directly impact the selling price.

Replacing your front door is one of the best ways to do this, as it’s the center of your home from the street, but don’t stop there. Here are some simple ideas to try:

  • Mowing the lawn
  • Planting bushes out front
  • Laying mulch around plants
  • Adding a firepit (even DIY)
  • Filling cracks with cement or gravel
  • Weeding
  • Powerwashing siding
  • Laying grass seeds
  • Paving or painting driveway

The list goes on, and it depends on the needs of your home. Step on the curb outside your house and take a look at it. Does anything stand out that needs to be addressed?

7. Clean Up

Declutter your basement, living areas, and outdoor spaces before any showings. If you don’t, you’ll only turn away potential buyers.

Don’t only focus on appearances. If you notice any odors, so will anybody viewing the home. Clean everything thoroughly with the appropriate cleaning products and remember to hide valuables in a safe location for showings.

Put These Selling Tips to Use

Now that you know the selling process and how to make the most out of your home sale, do your part and let your agent handle the rest.

Some minor home improvements, a clean home, and the right agent will go a long way to getting the most out of your home sale, so put these tips to use and stay up to date with our latest tips for more information!