Here’s a few things your realtor would love for you to know, whether you’re looking to buy or sell. We can’t stress enough how helpful a good realtor is in the moving process. If you’re still looking for a realtor, go ahead and scroll through our list of current partners. And here are a few tips to set your expectations during your buying or selling process! Good luck!
TO SELLERS:
- Start packing. Even if you just listed your house, it’s a good time to start packing up. Less is more when it comes to décor on a showing – you want the potential buyers to be able to imagine it as their home, not yours. Personal items, family photos, and bigger pieces can be safely boxed away – pretend you’re staging the house. It makes a difference!
- Don’t hide things. Sometimes it’s tempting to keep things from your realtor, but remember, we’re on your side. Tell us about the things you are concerned about – we’d much rather know beforehand than find a leak while on a showing with a potential buyer.
- Be cautious in overpricing. And don’t take low offers personally. Money is always hard to talk about – but realtors do this all the time. If your realtor is concerned you want to overprice the property by too much compared to other houses in the market, listen – if your house stays on the market too long, people begin to wonder if there’s something wrong. Pricing it fairly up front can draw buyers. On the flip side of the coin, don’t be offended by the low offers that are bound to come in – they are almost a given no matter what your home is like.
- Most important, don’t get discouraged! If it takes longer than a couple of weeks to sell your house, don’t let it get you down. Realtor.com data shows that homes sit on the market for a median of 65 days. Lots of factors can affect how long it takes, but the process taking a bit longer doesn’t mean that it isn’t going well.
TO BUYERS:
- Don’t discuss pertinent details in front of the sellers and their agent. This includes things like budget or if you’re on a tight timeline to move – Leave the negotiating to your agent. You don’t want to accidentally tip your hand on a showing, and this is why you hired a professional in the first place.
- Be prepared to act quickly, but also, don’t feel deflated if you get outbid. This is just how the housing market works.
- Check out neighborhoods at multiple times of day. If you like a particular home when you have a showing, come back that evening and drive around or take a walk. Some neighborhoods can vary greatly based on the time of day. Remember, you can always update a house – you can’t just update a location.
- Give yourself time to find a home. Rushing to find a home will only stress you (and your agent!) out. Don’t only leave a month before your lease is up to start looking for a house – keep in mind that negotiations and closing take time, and we don’t want you to feel like you have to place an offer on a house that isn’t really what you wanted.
We hope this helps you feel ready for whatever comes next – and we hope you absolutely LOVE your realtor, no matter who you choose. And if you’re looking for a lender, give us a call! We’re faith-based and family-oriented, so we’d love to help.
Best,
Audrey
The Christian Mortgage Mom
