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There is a lot that goes into selling a home and as you might imagine, there are equally as many things to consider before, during and after the process. That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive list of 100 questions that every home seller must ask before the process even begins.
Now, when you sit down with us and we go over the details, you will have an upper hand with all the advanced preparedness you can imagine that comes with knowing the right questions to ask. Here, we’ve covered some of the more prevalent ones and included a link to the entire list below.
Pre-Listing Preparedness, Home Value and Timing
One of the most critical aspects of selling a home is to know whether or not the time is right. This factors into the homeowner’s personal timing and also current market performance. Important questions to ask include things like “how quickly do I want to sell?” and “do I need to consider making an interim move?” The answers will not only help you to determine the perfect time to list your home but also make for a more successful transaction overall.
Home values are key to this stage of selling a home because this is where many homeowners’ are pointed toward realistic expectations – which in turn aids them in the decision making process. Knowing the market value of your home can have a significant impact on your decision to sell.
Agents, Agency and Contracts
Like timing and market conditions, selecting the right agent is also key to successfully selling your home. Once the right agent is on board, the next thing to examine is agency and the relationship between you and the selected professional. Agency can be confusing and complex but by asking and learning the various roles each type of agency plays, you will be an informed seller that knows exactly what to expect from your agent.
Yet another vital component of selling a home entails a detailed understanding of the contracts involved. Listing agreements, agency disclosures, seller and lead-based paint disclosures – are just a few of the many documents you may need to review or sign. To ask “what are the contingencies I can expect to see on a typical offer?” or even inquiring about the timing between an accepted offer and the required inspection period will help you gain an edge.
Advertising, Marketing and Offers
When you set out to sell your home do you know how it will be marketed? How do you feel about open houses? What are the statistics for open houses in your area and are they effective? Something you will hear time and again through many sources is the subject of preparing your home for sale. You will be advised to neutralize the décor, remove clutter, make any necessary repairs and so much more. Throughout doing all these things there will be some expenses incurred – so ask yourself if you are ready to make that investment to get your home sold.
Finally, when you do have an offer or more than one comes in – what do you need to do next? What is a reasonable counter offer without putting off the prospective buyer? In today’s market one thing occurring in many areas is the issue of multiple offers. If that does happen, have you considered how you might handle it? Our list of 100 questions will share the essentials of these and many more concerns that you may not even realize you ought to consider.
Finances and Closing
Oftentimes people are selling a home that they have lived in for quite some time, and as a result they are out of touch with today’s marketplace. An issue that may come to the surface is present day mortgage and finance practices. You want to ask things about the HUD-1 Statement, tax proration and escrow. Also important to know are lending guidelines, for example the fact that most sellers today are in the strong position to request or require a mortgage pre-approval letter with an offer. You will also benefit from knowledge about closing documentation to expect on closing day.
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Remember, the number one question that is asked by sellers is “When is the best time to sell my home?” and the answer is simply, “When you are ready.” Though there is the common misconception that homes do not sell during year’s colder months, sellers should bear in mind there is plenty of activity in the market year round. There are indeed fewer buyers out there but equally, there are fewer homes on the market, leaving you less selling completion to worry about.
In our region alone we have had a ten percent increase in sales year over year despite a somewhat depressed market. The news is good and if you have been on the fence about selling your home, this may be the perfect time to talk to us and ask that all-important question, “Can you sell my home for top dollar, in the least amount of time and without any hassles?”
