Stepping into the world of real estate can be scary, even for those with a decent understanding of the landscape. Buying a home is challenging enough, not to mention costly. Selling a home, on the other hand, comes with many obstacles of its own.
Before you even list your home for sale, there’s a lot that must be done, and the process is far from intuitive. Once you embark on the journey, you’ll see why real estate agents earn their keep, and why listing services are so powerful in the modern marketplace.
Let’s find out what it really takes to list a home in 2022, what tools and methods you can leverage to accelerate the process, and how you can minimize stress and uncertainty from start to finish.
Pre-Listing Considerations
Before you sign any contracts or make any phone calls, take a step back and think about what it means to list your home for sale in 2022. A lot has changed in just a few short years in the real estate field, and things are a lot more streamlined than they once were.
Yes, there is less legwork required when listing your home, especially if you use a service that streamlines the process from beginning to end.
Even still, it’s on you to account for all the necessities leading up to the initial listing – this is essential to selling your home in a timely and organized manner!
Our advice is to not rush into the listing process, and put in plenty of up-front research to gain insights on your region, market, and economic conditions at play. Don’t be overly aggressive with pricing your home at first, even if it’s tempting to aim high.
Connect with friends and family members about their experiences, and read up about first-hand accounts online. Knowledge is power in the real estate game, and this is doubly true for sellers.
Trust us, it’s better to plan two steps ahead rather than scrambling, stressing, and posting a half-baked listing that can cause trouble down the road. Be deliberate in this process and remember that quality counts more than anything. Individuals looking to sell a house in probate may face unique challenges, but with the right guidance, the process can be manageable.
10-Step Listing Checklist
Everyone will go about listing their home in a different way. However, there are some essential steps that can’t be missed whether you’re selling a mansion in the mountains, a shack on the beach, or your ideal suburban family home.
With that said, let’s roll out our checklist of listing steps that set you on the right path from the start.
1. Get Listed On Your Local MLS
Multiple Listing Services (MLS) technologies have come a long way in recent years, and now there are more than 800 to choose from when listing your home.
While it might not be necessary to create entries for all 800 MLS databases, you should be more selective with where you register and direct your attention. The process will require that you organize all relevant info about your home which is a good first step in the selling journey.
2. Be Present on the Major Real Estate Sites
Local MLS listings will get you a head start in selling; but to dramatically increase the exposure of your property online, you’ll need to create additional listings on the most popular real estate sites in your region.
The good news is that this process is cut-and-paste in most cases, although it may be time-consuming to complete. Carve out some time to make sure each listing is cohesive, comprehensive, and easy to navigate for anyone scrolling on the web.
3. Streamline Showing and Tour Requests
Before you know it, you’ll have messages rolling in about home tour requests. Be ready with a systemized process that keeps your schedule in line and doesn’t interfere too much with your personal or professional life.
4. Upgrade Your Photo Portfolio
Sure, you can take some nice photos with your smartphone for a basic listing, but a professional photo set can work wonders for increasing interest from buyers online. Consider consultation for proper staging and assistance to make your home look as appealing as possible, inside and out.
5. Create Open House and Post Yard Signs
Sellers are often surprised by how impactful a professional-looking yard sign can be when selling a home.
You never know who might be driving down your street and takes an immediate interest in your property. Level up your yard sign and see what happens.
6. Manage All Seller’s Paperwork
A deal can go down at any moment, so be ready to spring into action with all your necessary seller’s paperwork. Keep backups of everything nearby and be overly organized to prevent any mishaps or confusion.
7. Prepare for Offer Reviews and Counteroffers
There’s an art to the negotiation process that may not come naturally to first-time home sellers. Have a game plan in place to handle offers and come back confidently with counters.
8. Consider an Online Ad Campaign
Launching a Google or Facebook ad campaign can make all the difference when broadcasting your home in the selling process. It has never been easier to get a campaign up and running and target the ads to your exact specifications.
9. Bring Professionals into the Mix
If you’re going it alone, the listing process can be daunting. However, you can still get insights and advice from real estate professionals without dishing out a huge portion of your home equity after the sale.
These HomeLister reviews showcase the power of professional guidance and a streamlined listing service.
10. Close the Deal with Confidence
Don’t put the cart before the horse – focus on listing first and making your home look amazing.
But before long, you’ll be faced with a final offer that you can’t refuse! Be ready to seal the deal with all the right paperwork and legal steps accounted for.
Simplify the Home Listing Experience
We’ve only just scratched the surface of what it takes to list your home, and you may find yourself doing a lot of heavy lifting from the outset.
Luckily, it has never been easier and more affordable to list your home the right way if you follow these best practices and connect with a professional team that has your back.
