Protecting your largest investment requires careful consideration. If you’ve purchased but never sold a home before, the process may feel daunting. Maybe you’ve sold before but it’s been 20 years and you’re out of touch with today’s market. How do you know if you’re going about it the right way? Here are a few things to keep in mind as you’re mentally preparing to sell your home.
1 – To start, it makes sense to determine your goals for this transaction. Most sellers’ top priority is getting the most money they can. If this is your top priority, how much money, time, and dedication are you willing to put into achieving that goal? I have also worked with homeowners who are equally concerned with minimizing their stress and maintaining their privacy throughout the process. Young families often prioritize keeping to their regular routine rather than maximizing showing availability. These considerations are a personal decision, but figuring out priorities will help inform which action plan is best suited for your needs. It’s essential to a positive real estate experience that your listing agent’s strategy is designed around what’s most important to you. Whether it’s maximizing your return or providing additional support to minimize stress and risk, you’ll want someone who’s working to achieve your goals.
2 – Next, take some time to think about your biggest fears about the process. The most common answer to this question is leaving money on the table. It’s only natural when we know that the fear of loss trumps the potential for gain. This also goes hand-in-hand with concerns about overpaying for real estate services. The bottom line is that many sellers are trying to maximize their return. Other common fears are: the home not selling or not selling in the right time frame, feeling exposed with nosy neighbours, and the impact of current market conditions. Your agent should be taking the time to understand your biggest concerns. They should be able to have an honest conversation with you about what to expect and how their approach can meet your needs. Working with an experienced and trustworthy realtor who can guide and advise during this process is key.
3 – Finally, it’s worth considering what you know about the selling process. If you’re unfamiliar with your local market conditions and what to expect from a typical sale, take the time to educate yourself. Ask friends and colleagues what their experiences were like. Interview a few realtors. Take the time to evaluate who’s genuinely interested and capable in helping you achieve your goals (and who’s just looking for another listing). There’s a huge range in both the calibre of agent and the type of services they will include. These days in active markets, buyers are making quick decisions about whether or not to go see a property based on momentary glances at the description, and the property photos. It’s not a lot of opportunity to leave a good impression, so you have to capitalize while you can.
Take the time to consider what’s important to you. Use this information to really understand your goals and find an agent who is dedicated to helping you achieve them. It’s an industry that emphasizes hard sales so you’ve got to filter through to find genuine support and trustworthy guidance.
