When you list your home with an agent, there will be certain expenses to consider. Your listing rep will discuss their own commission and the split for the buyer’s agent. Additionally, if you are selling a property with HOA fees, there may be costs associated with disclosure and transfer that must also be taken into account. Title and escrow fees may come up – along with any buyer-paid costs included in the negotiation. It is crucial to get a clear picture of all possible expenses before signing on – so ask your agent for an estimate of costs.

Selling a house at any time of the year can come with benefits. Historically, more homes are sold during the winter months of February to May before the start of the school year in August. However, that does not mean other times of the year are not good times to sell; over holidays, for example, fewer people will view and less competition is expected. If a seller is willing to allow buyers over this period or if their home is vacant there can be serious buyers who may make an offer.

I would love to give an unequivocal “yes,” but unfortunately, things can happen.  It is unlikely, but to be on the safe side you should avoid leaving anything valuable such as prescription medication, cash, jewelry or guns in plain sight if any buyers come to view your home. Professional buyers will usually only take serious people out to tour your property, so this should not be a major concern.

If you’re thinking about it – do it today!  Discuss with your real estate agent about the current market, the expenses related to selling, and your plans for the future. Small upgrades such as tidying up the garden, making improvements, or even repainting rooms or replacing countertops can increase the worth of your property and reduce the time it takes to sell. Make sure you have all the information you need so that you can make educated decisions and have sufficient time available to complete any updates or renovations.

Disclose, disclose, disclose. With the exception of some special circumstances such as a death on the premises, a person with HIV or AIDS living there, or if a crime has occurred on the property, you should tell buyers everything. Your agent will provide you with a form to fill out when you list your property. Answer all questions honestly and back up your answers with any relevant receipts, warranties or paperwork. If someone loves the home, they may be willing to overlook certain issues if it has been handled correctly. For instance, if there was a flood and repairs were made afterwards, let them know about it. It is likely that potential buyers will find out about any claims made against your insurance policy anyway so it’s better to be open and honest from the start rather than risk appearing shady.

When staging a home, it is important to make sure it looks, smells, and is distraction-free. Dishes should be put away and toys should be tidied up. Living in a house while it is on the market can be difficult, so talk with your real estate agent about any challenges you have and work on solutions at the start. Agents have lots of experience with this type of thing and may have some tips that could make things easier.

There is no question about it – Do not stay in your home when buyers are taking a look around! No matter how tempting it may be to remain and show off the cool LED illumination and fountain with remote control, give the buyers and their agent the opportunity to view your house without your presence. If they have any questions regarding the fountain or pool, those can be answered through their agent. Let buyers take their time looking around and experiencing all that comes with living in your property without having to worry what they might say in front of you. Ultimately, it’s best for them to feel comfortable as they decide if this property is right for them.

I certainly hope that I’ll receive feedback after an open house. It’s more useful for sellers to hear when something particular about their home was too distracting or unpleasant. For example, a bad smell from trash was once pointed out to us, and the sellers appreciated hearing such a suggestion. Unfortunately, many agents don’t take the time to provide feedback on request – so rest assured it doesn’t reflect poorly on you or your property! The busyness of realtors is just another consequence of our profession.