3 Things to do Before You List Your Home

By Tammie Gibbs

Are you thinking of selling your home? As a Real Estate Broker I work with Sellers to market their homes and get them sold. As such, I try to prepare my sellers in advance, but over the years I have noticed that some sellers aren’t prepared so before you list your home you should ask yourself these three very important questions:

1. Where am I going if my home sells? You should have a backup plan. Buyers are anxious to own a home and while the process takes some time, they are ready to move in at closing. As the seller if you aren’t prepared to be out at closing, you may lose potential buyers that don’t want to wait. Know where you are going before you put your house on the market. Whether your plan is to move in with family or rent temporarily you should know where you’re going.

2. How much will it cost for you to move and will you have funds to go where you want to go? I counsel my sellers to make sure the proceeds from their home will allow them to go and do what they want to do. There is nothing more heartbreaking than for someone to sell their home and then be short of funds to do what they wanted to do. Houses are more expensive than they were 20 years ago and homeowners are sometimes unaware of how much the real estate market has changed. In addition to the purchase of a new home are you prepared for the costs associated with moving? Get estimates from moving companies and what it will cost to restore your utility services especially if you plan to move outside the town you’re selling in.
3. Do you have the knowledge to sell on your own or should you hire a Real Estate Agent? This may seem like a self-serving question, but selling property isn’t for the faint at heart. Contracts, contingencies, earnest money, due diligence, financing contingencies??? There are so many things that you need to know and if you don’t it will cost you far more than the real estate commission and the great thing is you don’t pay a commission unless the house is sold.

I hope these questions will help you evaluate and make the most of your real estate transaction and if you find yourself looking for a real estate agent that can help you maneuver the choppy waters of selling your home I’d love to chat give me a call..

Tammie Gibbs is an Associate Broker with Lovins Realty & Investment Co. in Vidalia, Ga. She’s been helping buyers and sellers since 2006.  912-293-2899  or 912-537-8885

Categories