For homeowners ready to sell their homes in Gallatin, the process should be easy, as it is one of the fastest growing communities in middle Tennessee. Located just 25 miles outside of Nashville, residents have access to all the music and action of the star-studded city. The public school system is also stellar, affording students of all ages the education they deserve. Gallatin is full of outdoor activities to keep everyone busy. For instance, it is very close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, allowing residents an easy escape for a fun day. Showcasing these excellent features will only help to sell a home more quickly in this beautiful location. To help homeowners with the process, Danielle Beasley has developed this guide with all the home-selling tips they need.
Choose a trusted real estate agent
The first thing on the list for selling a home is to find an excellent real estate agent. This person will know the
Gallatin market inside and out, guaranteeing the best results for the seller. Having an experienced real estate agent by their side will relieve much of the stress of selling their home, smoothing out the process. Their agent will get them more exposure than they could get on their own and will know how to expertly negotiate offers and counteroffers.
A seasoned real estate agent will be the source for most of the information a seller needs to prepare for listing their home. They will know the best marketing techniques and have inside information on the market, such as sales history for similarly valued homes. They are a vital business partner to have in this important venture.
Price the home appropriately for the market
Sellers will want to consult their real estate agent when it comes to pricing their home. They must be within a reasonable range of market prices for houses of similar values. This information is something the real estate agent can obtain. Pricing the home too high at the beginning of the selling process can be a significant turn-off for potential buyers. This refusal to view can continue even when the price is later lowered, harming the seller’s potential for selling at the price their home is truly worth.
Invest in a home inspection
Part of the home-selling process will involve a home inspection performed by someone the buyer chooses. However, this is done much later in the process, and anything they find can slow up the closing. If the seller were to hire someone for a pre-sale inspection, they would be informed of anything wrong with their home. This allows them plenty of time to have repairs done early, so they will not be a problem later in the selling process.
Do not waste time or money on expensive upgrades
While necessary home improvements will be required as part of the sale, expensive upgrades are not. They are also rarely worth the investment. For instance, a kitchen upgrade can run the homeowner more than $20,000. When they sell their home, they will not receive a 100 percent return on investment. It may boost the home’s value marginally, but realistically, it is not enough to warrant the remodel. If the seller is interested in completing some upgrades to the home, they should consult their real estate agent to understand which will get them the best return on investment so that their money is well spent.
Clean, prepare, and stage the home
The home must be showroom ready at all times for visiting homebuyers. Ideally, it should be divested of all personal items so potential buyers can better imagine it as theirs. Staging is an excellent option as it will remove most of the homeowner’s possessions, freeing up the home for the most visibility. It is the perfect way to show off all the home’s assets without excess furniture blocking anything from view.
Ensure professional photos are taken
One of the first things potential homebuyers will see is the photos of the home. Because of this, the seller will want to ensure they are professionally taken. They should accent the house’s best features, highlighting everything that makes it great. Photos taken with a cell phone are not good enough for this.
List the home for sale
Going along with these professional photos will be an equally professional listing. The real estate agent will add the property to their website and market it in every possible way they can, ensuring the seller gets the exposure they need. The seller will want to follow up to ensure the online listing is beautifully done, as it will be the first exposure buyers get to the home.
Field offers and handle negotiations
Once the home is listed, there will be open house events and visitations. After enough exposure, the offers will begin coming in for the seller to review. This is a crucial stage to partner with a real estate agent, as they will be the subject matter expert who knows when an offer is good, unacceptable, or should be counteroffered. They will also be the one that handles the negotiations, helping the seller through the process until the final offer is agreed upon and the parties move toward closing.
Maintain the home until the sale is complete
While the home is in the process of being sold, the seller must maintain it as well as they did during the listing period. This means keeping it clean and not allowing any damage to occur. As they move out, they will need to sweep up all debris and patch any nail holes in the walls. Before closing, the buyer and their agent will do a final walkthrough of the home to ensure it meets their expectations.
Complete closing and pay the fees
The day of the closing, all paperwork must be completed, and any fees the seller is responsible for must be paid. These can range from the real estate agent’s commission to certain government taxes. Once everything is completed, the seller will turn the keys over to the new homeowner.