Although the economic climate isn’t at its best, real estate business is still doing well. If you plan to sell a property, here is a list of factors to consider in order to get the most out of your transaction!

1. The listing agreement

This is a vital part of your selling process. Although it seems like a standard contract, it is worth considering it very carefully and ensuring that you understand what the next steps are. This contract regards you and your agent and includes all your mutual rights and obligations, as well as clear insight into the property you are about to sell.

Please make sure you provide all the information required by your agent when it comes to your property. Your agent needs to know if there are any issues with the property, such as building defects, in order to communicate it to potential buyers in the right manner and at the right time. If you fail to comply with the disclosure clause, you might face charges from the potential buyers or even from the real estate company that represents you.

2. The listing price

Setting the right price can be tricky… With no experience in real estate and with a vague memory of what you paid for it, you might end up deciding on an unrealistic price. This is why finding a professional to estimate the value of your property is a good idea.

Your real estate agent works with prices and people on a daily basis, so they are aware how much someone is likely to pay for a house like yours. Therefore, finding the right agent at early stages can be vital for your selling aims.

3. Property on the market

This could be the longest part of the process, but pleasant surprises can happen as well. Based on how you advertise your property, it can stay on the market for ages or sell in mere days. Your agent will provide the right tools and knowledge to make the process quick and smooth. You might also need to help out, especially when it comes to hosting open houses. Although it is a bit of a burden to have many people going through your property, it is a quick way to find buyers. You can choose to have only agents visiting and then advertising to their potential buyers or you can opt for a public open house where anyone can come and have a look. Another good reason to host open houses is that you show the property only once or twice to many people instead of putting it on display every couple of days for just one or two people. Discuss with your agent to find the best option for you and go for it!

4. The right buyer

Finding the right buyer means, first of all, having the tenacity to wait for them. You need to know that buying a property, especially a house, is a big investment for most people and they want to make sure that they get the best from all the available options. Wouldn’t you do the same? In order to convince them to consider your property a top option, it is worth investing in some home-improvements. This might sound unusual, but a spotless house can catch the eye and positively influence the buying decision. The location is always important, so get ready to answer some questions about it as well. Feel free to list the positive sides of where the property is located and even to adjust the price based on it. A house that isn’t in the best shape can still sell for a high price if it’s in a top location. On the other hand, if the location isn’t a highly considered location but the house looks great, you can still ask for a higher price than the average in that area. Again, your agent can advise and help you make the waiting shorter.

5. The right offer

You might receive quite a few offers during your listing period and the temptation to get things done quickly is high. Don’t rush, negotiate instead and even wait a little if you want to get what your house is truly worth. The agent will support you a lot through this stage and will go over any offer details with you. You need to be aware of a few very important elements included in the offer, such as the price stated by the buyer, their special conditions (if they have any), expected date of possession, as well as when the offer expires.

A deposit will also be included and this is the right time to negotiate if you think you should get more for the property. Through your agents, you and the seller can agree on a final price and then sign the contract. A lawyer will oversee this stage and ensure that both you and the buyer comply with the legal and financial requirements specific to this kind of transaction. The money should be in your account shortly and you can then hand in the keys to the new owner.

6. Potential extra-requests

Before putting their signature on the selling agreement, the buyer needs to know all the aspects regarding the property. One of the most common is a survey that proves your ownership over the land where the property is, together with a title of property. Another important request is a document certifying the standards of the septic system. Finally, you must agree to allow access to engineers for a thorough home inspection. Failing to meet any of the requirements mentioned can put off the buyer and take a good selling opportunity off the table. As soon as you find your agent, make sure to update them on these aspects and on everything else they need to know in order to help you achieve your dream: selling fast and for a great price!