Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the desert landscape and majestic mountain views when you move to Southern Arizona. Immerse yourself in the area’s vibrant culture and entertainment scene with museums, posh restaurants, and trendy boutiques at your fingertips. If you are considering upgrading your living situation in this idyllic and captivating community, follow these expert tips for selling your home without all the stress.
Choose a selling method
According to the NAR, the statistics show that only 10%-13% of homeowners sell their homes themselves, while a whopping 86% work with a real estate agent.
The “for sale by owner” (FSBO) method
When a property is for sale by the owner (FSBO), the seller takes on all the responsibilities. This involves researching and determining the appropriate price, marketing the home, scheduling showings, negotiating with buyers, and closing the deal. Sellers usually opt for this approach for one of two reasons. Either they want to avoid paying a listing agent's commission, or they already have a buyer.
Although the seller does not have to pay a listing agent's commission in an FSBO situation, they will still have costs. Commissions ranging from 5% to 6% are typically split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. However, in FSBO transactions, the seller only pays half, or 2.5% to 3%, since there is no listing agent involved. Also, some states require a real estate attorney to do the paperwork if the seller is not working with an agent.
Before going this route, know that based on data from the National Association of Realtors, sellers who partner with agents make more money than homeowners selling on their own. If you choose to sell independently, you may be leaving money on the table in the end.
Working with a trusted local real estate agent
Real estate agents are thoroughly educated and licensed. If a real estate agent joins the National Association of Realtors (NAR), they are called a Realtor. NAR members have to comply with a code of ethics, which can reassure those searching for a professional agent. Realtors can access numerous associations and boards, benefiting buyers and sellers with their trusted connections and in-depth market knowledge.
Get the list price right
Setting a competitive and accurate list price is essential to generating interest from prospective buyers. There are multiple ways to determine the value of a home.
- Search online for a home estimator calculator.
- Search real estate listings and compare prices of homes in your neighborhood.
- Contact an appraiser to give you a more accurate estimate.
Overall, the best way to get started selling your house is to contact a real estate professional. They are well-versed in the local housing market and stay up-to-date on recent fluctuations and expected changes. With their expert insight, they will know how to price your home accurately compared to similar, recently sold properties in the area. Having an agent’s knowledge on your side is a vital resource throughout your selling journey, from pricing to negotiating and more.
Prepare and market the home
Get ready for visitors
To get your home ready for showing, you can either clean and stage it yourself or hire a professional for the task. Make sure to remove all clutter and personal items, including memorabilia and family photos. Update the decor as needed, and fix any problems like leaky plumbing or broken fixtures.
Spruce up the exterior
To impress your potential buyers, the exterior of the property must be in top condition. Consider painting or power washing the door, windows, and driveway. Take care of any repairs that need to be done before the buyers come to look at the property. Also, ensure that the landscaping looks neat and well-maintained. Paying close attention to these details can go a long way in making a great first impression.
Marketing efforts
To attract potential buyers to your home, it is essential to promote and market it effectively. Begin by hiring a professional real estate photographer to take high-quality photos of the property. In addition, highlight any unique features in your listing description to help your home stand out from the crowd.
If you are working with a real estate agent, they will handle all of the marketing details, including photography, the listing description, and listing the home on MLS and other sites. With their marketing expertise, you will not have to worry about anything.
Conducting tours and showings
To generate more interest in your home, your real estate agent will schedule and host open houses and private tours for buyers to get an up-close-and-personal look at the property. At these events, your agent will serve as an important source of information for buyers, providing insight into the property and its features. They will field questions and schedule appointments with interested buyers or their agents.
Responding to offers
Once buyers begin falling in love with your home, you will start receiving offers! While receiving a high price is an important goal, the final sales price is certainly not the only detail to consider when reviewing offers. You should also consider the number of contingencies included, the timeline the buyer is hoping for, and any other aspects of the contract. Your real estate agent will help you evaluate each offer so you can select the one that aligns most closely with your goals.
Partner with a top-notch agent
The process of selling a house can be streamlined and successful with an exceptional real estate agent by your side. Trusted Realtor Shelly Laster is here to guide you every step of the way. She is an experienced and dedicated professional who is well-versed in selling and marketing homes to achieve top-notch results.
Whether you’re selling a home in Vail, Rancho Vistoso, or Tucson real estate, you can trust Shelly to sell your home quickly and at the best price possible. Make your dreams a reality today! Contact Shelly to get started toward all your real estate goals.
*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock
