Selling a home can be a difficult and drawn-out process, as many California homeowners probably already know. For those going through the process for the first time, however, some tips may come in handy and help the sale go more smoothly.
When it comes to selecting a real estate agent, homeowners should be aware of choosing one who claims he or she can sell the home quickly because no one can truly predict this. Instead, homeowners can compare real estate agencies to see which one sells their listings the fastest. Another point of interest is the subject of the realtor’s commission. Many people might assume it is set at 6 percent. Nevertheless, in many instances, a seller can negotiate the fee prior to signing the listing contract.
During the selling process, homeowners can make their home more appealing to buyers through cleaning and organizing and putting items such as litter boxes, dirty laundry and dishes out of sight. It is also a good idea to make sure the house smells good prior to the showing. This can be done by taking out the garbage, cleaning the bathroom with bleach-based cleaners and spraying a light scented fragrance air freshener. A further way to attract buyers is to repaint brightly colored rooms with neutral shades like white or beige. Sellers can avoid potential problems with buyers by clearly stating in the contract which items are part of the sale. Those who promise an appliance, for example, but later change their mind must not forget to amend the contract.
Buying or selling real estate can entail many issues that can be difficult for homeowners to decipher. For this reason, retaining an experienced real estate attorney can be helpful when it comes to the negotiation process and settling problems involving disclosure, financing and escrow issues.
Source: The Huffington Post, “7 Things Your Real Estate Agent Wants You To Know (But Will Never Tell You)”, March 29, 2016