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How to Sell a House in PA
Randyl M. Walters
Step by step instructions to make selling your house simple
For most people, their home is their single largest investment.
But unlike other investments, a home can be filled with memories and sentimental attachments (as well as many, many years of junk, but we’re not judging).
Deciding to sell might be difficult and the very first step is to determine whether or not you are really ready to take that leap.
Although it can be hard to leave one house behind, it helps to remember that there is a different adventure and possibly a new home just around the corner.
Plus, you will finally get those closets cleaned out. Win-win, right?
If you decide that selling is the right move, follow our easy step by step guide which will save you time and headaches.
Not to mention it will help you get top dollar for your property.
Here is a quick overview of the process. Click on each step to learn more, or read further for the entire, in depth article.
find the right real estate agent
First, let me say that I totally understand why you think you can sell your house yourself.
Everyone hates spending money, but there are some things in life (like toilet paper) that you just should not skimp on.
At first, it seems simple enough – list your house on one of those huge real estate sites, stick a sign in the yard, get a buyer, and boom! House sold.
But, did you know that in most cases, even if you save money by not having your own agent, you will still have to pay the buyer’s agent?
Also, according to the National Association of Realtors, the average price of a home sold by a real estate professional was $330,000 compared to an average For-Sale-By-Owner price of just $225,000.(1)
That’s a difference of 46.7%.
Wait, that means you will actually make more money if you sell your house with a realtor. 40% more money on average. Weird.
That’s like 30,000 cups of coffee at Dunkin Donuts (or 120 cups if you like Starbucks).
Just kidding. We would never take sides on something as serious as coffee.
If “money-talks” isn’t enough reason to work with an agent, consider what a good agent really does for you.
If you think an agent is just the person who stands in your kitchen greeting buyers during an open house, then you’re missing 99% of what an agent does.
A good agent makes sure you are protected every step of the way. They will help you with the contracts, the negotiations, and all the little things you never knew (or wanted to) about a real estate transaction.
Find out all the things an agent can do for you here.
Working with a great agent will help you walk away with the most money for your home in the shortest period of time.
Now that you are convinced (you are, right?), please read the first sentence again carefully.
You do not need “a” real estate agent.
You need the “right” real estate agent.
This is very important and choosing the agent that works best for you is going to determine whether you have a good or a bad experience.
So what makes the right agent?
Although the answer to this can differ slightly, the one thing you absolutely must have is an agent who is trustworthy, honest, knowledgeable and experienced. Find someone who is responsive and listens to you and with whom you enjoy spending time. Remember, you will be spending quite a lot of time with this person and they are going to help walk you through what is probably the largest purchase you will ever make.
Your cousin or best friend’s sister might practice real estate, but are they all of these things? Are you comfortable sharing personal financial details with someone within your circle of friends?
If you are located in PA and need an agent, we know a few that we happen to think are pretty great.
Click the Contact Us link below to get in touch via phone, text, or e-mail.
price your home to sell
I know your home is priceless – but in order to sell it, you’re going to have to think about it more objectively.
What is your home worth?
You might think it is the appraised value, and that does factor in later, but really, your home is only worth whatever a buyer is willing and able to pay for it.
What that amount is can fluctuate greatly depending on the current market conditions in your area.
So how do you know what that amount is?
The best way is to ask your real estate agent to run a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). This is a free report which compares your property to others in the area that are of a similar size, have similar features, and are currently on the market or very recently sold.
Your super, fantastic, wonderful agent (which you picked after reading step 1) will know the market in your area and will be able to walk you through this report step by step.
A real professional will take you through the CMA in detail and can answer any questions or reservations you may have. They will help you set the price based on these facts.
The CMA will get you in the ballpark for price, but to really pin down the price range, your agent is going to have to see your house.
Think of it like this – you are at the store buying apples. Some apples are pristine, shiny and unblemished.
In another pile they have the same kind of apples, only these were picked up off the ground, they are a little less appetizing, though still good.
The shiny new apples cost a little more than the dropped ones.
Neither one of these is better than the other, different buyers will prefer different kinds of “apples” depending on their needs.
If they picked a price in the middle and all the apples cost the same amount, which ones do you think would sell first?
But priced correctly, the apples will sell to the right buyer, at an equal rate.
The same goes for real estate – until an agent sees your house in person, they can’t say whether it is a shiny apple or not, but a great agent will make sure they take every single aspect of your home into account before they suggest a price range.
You can go with a middle of the road agent, but why would you leave money on the table or take longer to sell your home than needed?
Let us help you to price your home right to get the most from your sale.
Contact us any time to chat.
set a timeline for listing your home
Don’t let an agent pressure you into listing your home right away if this time frame doesn’t work for you.
Your home may be ready for sale immediately, but there may also be some things you want to do before your home is ready for the market.
If you completed step 1, you star agent can help you decide what projects will help sell your home and which are not worth your time.
Here’s a few things you can start immediately once you are ready to sell:
home inspection & repairs
Consider getting a home inspection, especially if you are not that handy. I know this goes against traditional wisdom and the buyer typically gets a home inspection after you’ve accepted an offer, but if you can provide not only a completed home inspection but also a list of completed repairs, your home becomes that much more desirable. Think of it like providing a “Carfax” for your home.
Buyers can see up front what repairs need to be done and you identify issues that need to be repaired so you can budget for them. Part of what scares buyers away is uncertainty. A pre-sale home inspection can be an especially good selling tool for an older home.
If your home doesn’t need that much work or you have a good maintenance record, the repairs needed may be minimal.
Your agent can help you decide where to spend your repair budget.
Sometimes all you need is a simple coat of paint, other times the repairs can be more in depth.
It makes sense to address larger issues before your home is listed.
You won’t always need to do a repair before you sell. Let’s face it, sometimes there just isn’t the budget for a new roof, but knowing the things a buyer might find when they do their own home inspection is invaluable.
set the stage & clean
Clean like your mother-in-law is coming over for the first time. Seriously, the cleaner the house, the faster it will sell.
Hire a pro if you can, especially to clean carpets.
Pay special attention to smells. If you need help removing a smell, ask your agent for recommendations. Your house might have a faint odor, even if you can’t smell it.
Pets and smoke are common odors, but food smells can be just as strong. Be conscious of what you cook, especially before a showing.
Buyers cannot “see” your house when they can’t stop “smelling” it.
Stay organized. Remove clutter from counters and surfaces and pick up toys. Have you seen the show Hoarders? It doesn’t matter if your stuff is clean or nice, less is always more when it comes to showings.
Add a few finishing touches such as nice table cloths or throw pillows to help set the stage. You don’t need to get crazy here, use what you’ve got.
You may want to remove or lock up items that are personal or valuable. Be prepared to take your prescription medicine with you when you leave. Make yourself a little “go bag” to make it easy.
Add more lighting if necessary. A bright, well-lit home always shows better than one that is dark. Open the blinds and let in natural light – but remember to wash your windows, especially if the blinds have been closed for the past ten years!
Don’t forget the exterior and the lawn – weed the flower beds, get some fresh mulch and keep the grass neatly mowed.
Selling in winter? Keep the sidewalks and driveway shoveled and ready for showings.
A good agent will give you feedback that is honest and will help you stage your property.
Almost no one can view their own home with a critical eye and your agent should handle any potential issues with tact and sensitivity.
list your house and get ready to show
Keep your house ready for company every day. Make a “to do” list if you need to and have the house ready to go when you leave in the morning. Last minute showings are par for the course and if you are ready, it could mean the difference between getting that buyer or not.
Find a place for your pets during showings. We know you love your furry friends but some buyers might be afraid of dogs or allergic to cats.
If you have a friend or family member who can take your pets temporarily, that’s great. If not, take them for a walk or a ride during showings when possible.
It will make the appointment more comfortable for your buyers and will be safer for your pets.
Try to be flexible. Remember what it was like when you were shopping for a new home.
Buyers need time to fall in love with your house the same way you did. Give them the time and space to do so.
accept offer
Negotiations start with a buyer’s offer to purchase your home.
You don’t have to accept the offer as is and your agent should explain every aspect of the offer to you as well as the impact of certain clauses.
The main details you will need to think about are purchase price, buyer financing, closing date, inspections, special allowances and additional contingencies.
Inspections
Once you and the buyer reach an agreement, there is still a lot to do before closing.
The buyer may have opted for inspections and there may be other contingencies. Your agent should make sure that all of the deadlines are met and they will help you negotiate, if necessary.
Do your best to make your home available for all inspections so you can sail through this phase quickly.
The buyer may have to meet other contingencies during this time period as well. They may have to apply for a mortgage and provide a commitment by a certain date. They will order title and ultimately will schedule settlement.
Get ready to Move
Now is the time to really start packing. Consider boxing up everything you do not need daily and set yourself a deadline for packing up each room.
Choose a moving date and hire movers.
Keep your home insurance up to date through closing. You own the house and are responsible for it until closing is completed.
Keep the house clean and if you break or damage something, fix it.
Buyers will do a pre-settlement walkthrough and you don’t want them to find new damage the day of closing.
If you have concerns about this, talk to your agent about getting a home warranty that is transferable to the buyer. This can protect you during the selling phase and can make your home more attractive to a buyer since they will benefit from warranty as well. Most warranties are payable at settlement so they are easy on your pre-sale budget.
final walkthrough & settlement
Make a list of what to bring on the day of settlement and keep in contact with your agent. She will tell you what dates are important and should help you through the process.
Your home should be completely empty (unless you’ve made an agreement with the buyers to leave certain items) and it should be reasonably clean. This final walkthrough gives the buyers a chance to see your home without the furniture and to inspect for damage that may have been caused while you were moving out.
Review your settlement costs on the day of closing for accuracy and voila!
Home sold, easy-peasy.
Now all you have to do is find a new place to live…don’t worry, we’ve got instructions for that, too!
