Seller FAQ

What You Need to Know

Now that you’ve decided to put your home on the market, it’s only natural to have a few questions. You might be wondering about how to increase the value of your home, or how to avoid common missteps in your home search. The real estate market is always changing. Whether you've sold several homes in your life, or it's your first time putting your house on the market, we have answers for you.

When is the best time of year to sell?

This varies depending on the housing market. In general, house hunting typically picks up in the warmer months of the year, making it a great time for sellers to list their homes. In the colder months, it’s typically a buyer’s market. This can vary by city and even neighborhood, and over the past few years demand remained high even in the winters. Ask your Mainstreet REALTOR® what they recommend based on local conditions.

When should I put my home on the market if I'm looking to buy a new home?

Trying to buy and sell a home at the same time can be a careful balancing act. There are different arguments to be made about whether you should search for a new home before selling your home or sell your home first. The truth is, it depends on your circumstance and whether it's a buyer or seller's market. In a buyer's market, there will be more houses on the market than there are buyers. A seller's market is the opposite. Your Mainstreet REALTOR® can advise you on what makes sense in your area at any given time.

If you need to hold onto your home a little bit longer after selling, you can enter a rent-back agreement with your buyer. This gives you some wiggle room to move into your new house later and pay rent to the owner of your current home. Check out Realtor.com to learn more about rent-back agreements.

What should I expect when I put my house on the market?

Once your home has been listed, the best piece of advice is to have realistic expectations. Keep an open line of communication with your Mainstreet REALTOR® and be patient. Your REALTOR® will handle the marketing for your home and guide you through the process of showing your home. They will also help you with the negotiation process and make sure your home closing goes as smoothly as possible.

Why should I stage my home?

Home staging, or arranging the home to look its best, can help potential buyers envision themselves in your home and could decrease the time your home is on the market.

While there are tweaks you can make around your home yourself with advice from your Mainstreet REALTOR®, work with a professional home stager to get the best results. Your REALTOR® can refer you to a home staging expert who can use their interior design skills to style your home.

You may have heard that unstaged homes could still receive multiple offers during the seller’s market of the last few years. But the market has shifted, and staging your home is vital if you want to receive the best offer possible.

How can I add curb appeal to my home?

When you're selling a home, you want potential buyers to fall in love from the moment they see your house from the street. If your home is a little older, consider adding a fresh coat of paint or freshening up how your street number is displayed. Make sure your driveway and any front steps or a front path are in good repair. It also helps to add some greenery outside your home. If you have a garden, make sure your plants look good in the season when buyers will be viewing your home.

Are there any safety tips I should keep in mind when putting my home on the market?

Opening your home up to strangers naturally raises some safety concerns, especially for new homesellers. While your Mainstreet REALTOR® will help protect you from these risks, we recommend:

• Never give home tours by yourself. A REALTOR® should always be present.
• Hide valuables and all electronics prior to any home visits or open houses.
• Remove mail, bills, and personal checks from places where they can be seen by those touring your home.
• Take stock of the state of your home after an open house to make sure everything is locked and in place.
  

What are some common home selling mistakes I should be aware of?

Sellers who don't work with REALTORS® open themselves up to a few common mistakes when putting their home on the market. One mistake homeowners make is choosing to host an open house by themselves. Not only is inviting strangers into your home alone a major safety concern, it is very possible those touring your home may not be legitimate buyers. Working with a Mainstreet REALTOR® allows you to screen potential candidates before they enter your home, giving you the best chance of selling quickly.

Another mistake many sellers make occurs during the pricing, negotiation, and closing stage. Some sellers price their home without consulting anyone first. This means you could be pricing yourself too low and losing money on the deal. A REALTOR® works with you on pricing, marketing, and negotiating with the buyer to save you money and give you peace of mind.

What do I need to know about changes to home buying as a result of the recent NAR settlement?

There is a great deal of misinformation about the NAR settlement and its impact on local real estate consumers, so please proceed with caution when turning to the media or real estate influencers for updates. Instead, we recommend visiting this FAQ page for more information.