5 Things Every First-Time Cartersville Seller Should Know
First-Time Seller âSetbacksâ (and How To Prepare For Them Now)
Think back to when you bought your current home: There were things that happened during the transaction that sent you into a panic, but ended up being a totally normal part of the process of buying a house. In hindsight, you can probably even laugh at how issues that seemed like a setback (like that big inspection report) were resolved relatively quickly.
Now that youâre ready to list your home for sale, youâre about to go through something similar. Selling a home for the first time isnât as easy as sitting back and having your Realtor rake in offers. Just as when you bought your home, there will be matters that require your immediate attention, appointments that have to be made, and issues that just might trigger unexpected emotions.
While this sounds overwhelming, these situations all are perfectly normal â and preparing for them now will make selling your home go so much more smoothly. Here are the five most common things to expect when youâre a first-time seller.
First-Time Seller âSetbackâ #1
Youâll Experience Surprisingly Strong Feelings About Your Home
How to Prepare:
Leave Emotions Out of the Transaction
Itâs time to book a therapy appointment, get back in your favorite stress-relieving exercise routine and have your best friend on speed-dial. Even when youâre excited about your new home or have been counting down the days to move out (and away from a neighbor), selling your home is a life change that will stir up emotions you didnât expect to have.
Whether youâre nostalgic about the memories and question if you really want to sell, or a potential buyerâs comment about renovating the kitchen you loved dearly makes you deeply angry, take a breath, calm down and hold off on sudden decisions. Emotional reactions might make you feel better in the short-term, but the feeling wonât last. Always think of the big picture and your goals before changing course.
First-Time Seller âSetbackâ #2
Your Home Will Need A Lot of Staging
How to Prepare
Make Sure Your Home Is Impeccable to Begin With
Even if you feel very confident in your taste in decor, anything that fills your home is a potential distraction for buyers. Itâs nothing personal, though it feels that way. Your Realtor is going to likely suggest a thorough staging to show your home in the very best light to a buyer, so you can get the best offers.
Any work you can do on your home now will save you the time and cost of what the stager will have to do later. Go ahead and do the big decluttering project youâve been meaning to do, rent a storage unit for that big sectional that takes up your living room, organize your wardrobe so your closet looks picture-perfect, and start selecting neutral paint colors for every room. Hire cleaners to do the kind of deep-clean you would do if you were moving out of a rental.
First-Time Seller âSetbackâ #3
The Buyerâs Inspector Will Turn Up Many Issues
How to Prepare
Get a Pre-Inspection
You remember the short novel-length inspection report that you received from your inspector back when you bought your home, right? And how you hired the most thorough inspector you could find? Thatâs what a potential buyer is going to do with your home.
Acting now to address any issues will save you the headaches that pop up when a potential buyer looks to negotiate based on an inspection report. A pre-listing home inspection will turn up things you should repair, potential problems you might not even know about, and gives you a clear answer on the exact condition of your home. Concerned about cost? Your Realtor will advise on the changes worth the money, and whatâs okay to leave as-is.
First-Time Seller âSetbackâ #4
Low-Ball Offers
How to Prepare
Realize That Not Everyone Sees Your Home Like You Do
Thereâs a difference between an offer that is slightly below asking price and one thatâs tens of thousands below that. The latter will trigger a strong emotion (so go to #1 on this list) but will ultimately be rejected outright without thought. However, if you are fixated on low offers, a change in perspective might be in order.
Recognize that low offers are real-life feedback about your home. If there is something about your home that a range of buyers considers an issue, itâs an opportunity to address that. Or, this might be a time to address your expectations. If the offers arenât far off from your price and youâre disappointed because you envisioned offers far above asking, recognize that fantasy isnât reality. While you see all the potential value in the home youâve loved, others see the property as it is: A property.
First-Time Seller âSetbackâ #5
A Buyer Wants Many Concessions and Contingencies
How to Prepare
Understand That EVERYTHING Is Negotiable
Whether weâre talking about lower offers, a back-and-forth about making changes based on an inspection report or a potential buyer who comes back with multiple contingencies, understand that you have power as a seller (even if your area is a buyerâs market). You can always say no, or you can always counter.
Basically, everything is a negotiation. It might help to think of this as an ordinary transaction â like buying a car â instead of selling your home. Just as you wouldnât even think about buying a car without negotiating, a buyer is going to do the same on this even-larger-ticket item. And just as an auto dealer wouldnât accept just any offer, you donât have to give in on every ask. You also have the advantage of a great Realtor who will advocate on your behalf every step of the way, so donât hesitate to let them know your comfort level at any time.
In the end, selling your home for the first time is an opportunity to learn about real estate. The more you know before you sell, the bigger the advantage youâll have in the end. Youâll be calm, focused on decisions that benefit your sale, and even more knowledgable about what concerns you can bring to your Realtor.
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If youâre concerned about potential issues unique to your home or market, weâre here to listen and help walk you through the process.