Questions to Consider Before You List Your Home

by Lisa Duguay, ABR, SRES 04/05/2020

For those who want to sell a house as quickly as possible, it often helps to think about what will happen after you list your residence. That way, you can plan ahead for the home selling journey and minimize the risk of potential roadblocks that otherwise may prevent you from achieving your property selling goals.

Ultimately, there are many questions for a seller to consider before listing a house. These include:

1. What makes my home unique?

No two houses are exactly alike, yet differentiating one home from another in a competitive real estate market may prove to be difficult. Fortunately, a seller who understands a residence's strengths and weaknesses can determine what makes his or her house unique. This seller then can develop a strategy to promote his or her residence to the right groups of prospective buyers.

Sometimes, it is beneficial to conduct a home inspection prior to listing a residence. With an inspection report in hand, a seller can analyze a house's strengths and weaknesses. This seller next can use the inspection report to prioritize home upgrades and find innovative ways to differentiate his or her residence from the competition.

2. How much is my home worth?

What you originally paid for your home is unlikely to match your residence's current value, regardless of when you bought your house. Thankfully, you can conduct a home appraisal to receive an accurate property valuation.

A home appraisal frequently helps a seller establish a competitive initial asking price for his or her house. After a home appraisal, it takes only a few days for a seller to receive an appraisal report. And once this report becomes available, a seller can use it to set an aggressive price for his or her house – something that may help this residence generate lots of interest from potential buyers.

3. Do I need to hire a real estate agent?

Hiring a real estate agent may be crucial, particularly for a seller who is uncertain about how to navigate the property selling journey. A real estate agent will help a seller develop a plan to quickly sell his or her house. Plus, a real estate agent will do whatever it takes to help a seller optimize his or her home sale earnings.

In addition, a real estate agent wants to help a home seller make informed decisions. He or she will educate a seller about the local housing market and ensure this individual understands all aspects of the home selling journey. And if a seller ever has concerns or questions during the home selling process, a real estate agent can provide immediate responses.

When it comes to selling a house, it is beneficial for a seller to prepare for the property selling journey. If a seller knows what to expect after he or she lists a residence, this individual can plan accordingly. Perhaps most important, a seller can map out the home selling journey and take the necessary steps to ensure a quick, seamless and profitable property selling experience.

About the Author
Author

Lisa Duguay, ABR, SRES

Lisa is a sales and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience representing buyers and sellers throughout Fairfield County. Her deep understanding of local residential markets and current trends along with the exceptional local and global networking resources of Berkshire Hathaway allow her to provide the highest level of personalized, professional and confidential services to her clients. An experienced listener and negotiator, she works with her clients to thoroughly understand and achieve the results they desire. Dedicated, discreet, ethical, honest and principled, Lisa has been consistently recognized as a top producing agent and is a trusted resource within her communities. * Certified Relocation Specialist *Accredited Real Estate Buyer’s Representative (ABR) *Accredited, Senior Real Estate Specialist Council (SRES) *Member, National Association of Realtors *Member, Connecticut Association of Realtors *Member, Greater Fairfield Board of Realtors * Member, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Lisa is a lifelong area resident who grew up in Westport and currently resides in Southport. She is actively involved as a volunteer for several local organizations including the CT Alzheimer’s Association.