Sellers

Selling Your Home - What Do You Need To Know?

If you’re considering the sale of your home, there are a few things that you need to be sure of before you sign a listing agreement. It is imperative that you understand the home selling process and more importantly that you’re in a financially viable position to sell. Read on to find out how utilizing the services of a real estate agent can significantly improve your chances of selling your house for top dollar.

Find Out What Your Home Is Worth

With the invention of Zillow's 'Zestimate' tool and a myriad of other auto-valuation websites, finding out the value of your home can seem like the easiest part of the process. The problem with an automated estimate is that the algorithms rely heavily on general information. The condition of your property, or any special features it may feature, can alter an automated estimate significantly. Speaking to a knowledgeable and experienced real estate professional about your home’s value ensures that you will receive a more accurate idea of the value of your home.

Marketing Expertise

Real Estate marketing is continually evolving. As an agent with 15 years of experience, I understand what is attractive to potential buyers. When you list your home with me, I will use tried and tested methods to sell it quickly, and for the best price. Each home is different and requires a tailored marketing plan to ensure the best exposure possible. From open houses and following up with respondents to ads, signs, and inquiries from the internet, there are several avenues of marketing that I utilize to sell your home. A customized marketing plan helps to ensure that the highest number of potential buyers is reached.

Deciding Your List Price

Establishing the list price is arguably the most important part of selling your home. The list price should reflect true market value while attracting the most buyers. It is imperative that you do not list your home too low or too high. When using a competent real estate professional, they will weigh up several aspects of your property and base the suggested list price on numbers and facts. A common problem that FSBO's face is that they overestimate the value of their property and do not market accurately. When hiring me as your agent, I ensure that the list price is accurate by preparing a Comparative Market Analysis. This involves analyzing the prices of homes that have recently sold in the area and have similar specifications to yours. I can also recommend any upgrades or repairs that will help you to maximize your return and get the best selling price for your home.

Negotiating With Buyers

Whilst managing showings and liaising with buyers, real estate agents also have the job of negotiating on your behalf for any offers that are presented. As an agent, I always ensure that any offers received are presented to my seller promptly, to ensure that they have ample time for consideration. A real estate agent is able to help keep the deal moving forward by guiding their seller objectively on the pros and cons of presented offers - including counteroffers.

Selling a home requires skill, creativity, and a deep understanding of the local market. If you are considering selling your home in the Chicagoland area, I would love to provide you with a complimentary Comparative Market Analysis that can help you to make an informed decision.