3 Steps to Take Before Putting Your House on the Market

selling a houseSelling a house is, unfortunately, not as simple as putting your house up for sale, meeting with a prospective buyer, and cashing a check. There are a lot of tasks you need to take care of to prepare for even putting your house on the market. And because this process can be pretty complicated, we've compiled a list of a few important steps to follow.

Find a real estate agent: When you decide you want to sell your house, you should start by contacting local real estate agents. While it is possible to sell your home yourself, it's much easier with the help of a real estate agent. An agent will keep your best interests in mind -- they'll ensure you sell your home for a fair price and sell it as quickly as possible, if that's what you want. All in all, a real estate agent will help you understand the whole process and ensure you successfully sell your home.

Understand the current market: One of the most important things you need to do before you try selling a house is ensuring you have a good understanding of the market. A few crucial factors to consider include

  • What buyers are looking for in houses
  • The most popular price range
  • How quickly houses are selling
  • What similar homes are being priced at
  • How many homes are selling in your area

Understanding the current market will help you better price your home and ensure it's really what your preferred buyers are looking for. In doing this, you'll have the best chance of getting the payment you're looking for.

Prepare your house: Another important step to take is to prepare your home for selling. This may involve a lot of work or minimum work, depending on both the condition of the house and how much you want to sell it for. At the very least, you should take care of cosmetic problems, like chipped paint and worn carpet. Additionally, you should ensure your home is as clean as possible and free of clutter. While there are things you can't change, like the location of your home, consider making small upgrades to attract more buyer interest.

With 15% of Americans having bought a house within the last five years, people are continuing to buy houses at a steady rate. So taking these simple steps will help you prepare to put your home on the market. And if you need help selling a house, contact Larson Realty for more information.