Are you thinking about selling your Boston home? A Zillow report revealed that the typical home seller spends, on average, about “seven months thinking about listing their home before taking action.” That’s understandable because selling a home, especially for first-time sellers, is a big and sometimes frightening step. So we’d like to remove some of that fear and reduce the time you spend simply thinking about listing. Check out these 6 things every home seller should know about before selling their house in Boston.
1. Your True Reasons for Selling
The first thing you should determine before selling your home in Boston is the real motivation, the true reasons for selling. You need to make sure you really want to do it and exactly why you’re doing it. Doing this will help you determine how you stand financially, for example, how much you are willing to spend on improvements and renovations before listing. In addition, you will become clear on your non-negotiables when you enter into negotiations with buyers.
2. Importance of Having Paperwork Prepared
This is so often overlooked, that we felt we should include it among the things every home seller should know about before selling their house in Boston. Ensure that all the necessary paperwork and pertinent documents are prepared, gathered up, and readily accessible. This important paperwork/documentation will include information about:
- Proof of roof age and warranty
- Instrument survey
- Dates and descriptions of home improvement projects
- Outstanding mortgage balance and pay-off
- Applicable permits for additions
- Service records, warranties, and instruction manuals for major appliances such as HVAC system and water heater
3. Consider a Pre-Listing Inspection
Although a pre-listing inspection isn’t a requirement, many industry experts highly recommend it for anyone selling their house in Boston. The buyer’s lender will require an inspection, and you will be in a better position as a seller if you’ve already found and fixed the problems the buyer’s inspection would turn up. “By completing this pre-listing inspection,” experts say, “you can address the issues that the home inspector may find during his inspection. Make sure that the home inspector who does the pre-listing inspection will provide you with a detailed report and also pictures relating to anything they note in their report.”
4. Make a Great First Impression
You also need to be aware of the importance of properly preparing your house for sale. Sure, you know you’ll need to clean and de-clutter and spruce things up, but will you need to do more? This is where your agent can advise you and help you ensure your house is really ready for listing. (To discover more, call (617) 657-9811.)
Don’t risk not making a great first impression. “The first impression is crucial when selling a home. By not preparing your home for sale, this can often lead to a poor first impression and also can cost you thousands of dollars in the long run. Take the extra time and effort to prepare your home – you’ll be glad you did.”
5. Getting the Price Right
It’s often been said that the most important factor in determining how fast a home sells or whether it sells at all is the price. “If you price your home too high from the start, it can cost you lots of money in the future. The price a home enters the market at will do the majority of the marketing of the home. It’s important to understand today’s buyers and know they are very educated and have tons of information at their fingertips.” Once again, your agent can help you get the price right with her knowledge of local markets and skill at running a CMA.
6. Your Agent’s Crucial Role
As we’ve mentioned throughout, the importance of hiring an experienced local real estate agent can’t be overstated. It may be the most important of the things every home seller should know about before selling their house in Boston. Your agent can bring her knowledge and expertise to bear at every stage of the process, from getting your home ready to marketing to negotiating with buyers. Find out how our agents at NextHome Titletown Real Estate can help you sell your Boston house. Contact us today! (617) 657-9811
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The property listing data and information, or the Images, set forth herein were provided to MLS Property Information Network, Inc. from third-party sources, including sellers, lessors, landlords, and public records, and were compiled by MLS Property Information Network, Inc. The property listing data and information, and the Images, are for the personal, noncommercial use of consumers having a good faith interest in purchasing, leasing, or renting listed properties of the type displayed to them and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties which such consumers may have a good faith interest in purchasing, leasing or renting. MLS Property Information Network, Inc. and its subscribers disclaim any and all representations and warranties as to the accuracy of the property listing data and information, or as to the accuracy of any of the Images, set forth herein.
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