Only 5% of all buyers purchase a home directly from the owner. Most people (89%) turn to a real estate agent first. If you want to learn how to sell a house by owner, it helps to have a plan.
Here are a few tips that can help you sell your home without stress. Using these tips can help you plan for a fast, easy sale.
Otherwise, you could list your home, only to struggle to attract buyers.
Don’t let that happen! Instead, start the process of selling your home with these simple tips today!
1. Set a Realistic Price
The median home price in 2021 reached $350,300. Before listing a home, it’s important to consider your pricing strategy. Otherwise, you could scare off buyers before they’ve even toured your home.
It’s normal to want top dollar for your home. Overpricing a listing, however, could leave your home lingering on the market. You’ll eventually have to cut the price down anyway.
Instead, it’s important to start by listing a home at the right price from the start. Choosing a reasonable, accurate listing price will help you attract potential buyers.
In fact, the right pricing strategy might even encourage a bidding war.
You’ll avoid the stress of watching your home linger on the market too long, too. Otherwise, potential buyers might question what’s wrong with your listing.
Setting a Price
To set a realistic price, take a look at other listings in the area that recently sold. Try to find homes in your neighborhood that are similar to your property.
You might also have an easier time selling faster (for more) if you list your home during a peak selling time. Learn as much as you can about your local real estate market before listing your property.
If you decide to sell your home without a real estate agent, you’ll need to run a comparative marketing analysis on your own. You can use the Recently Sold filter on Zillow or check public records to get started.
Make sure you consider the size of your home, location, and quality. Look for homes sold within the past three months.
You can also pay a professional appraiser to help you determine an accurate listing price. They’ll consider local market trends, your home, and recent comps.
2. Get Market-Ready
Before taking photos of the property or listing a home, you’ll need to make sure your home is ready. Remember, you don’t want to deter buyers before they’ve really taken a look. Instead, make sure your home looks perfect before listing it.
When learning how to sell a house by owner, think about what you’d want to see as a buyer.
For example, you’ll want to make sure the home is clean. Scrub tiles, shampoo the carpets, and wash the windows. Look at every nook and cranny.
Make sure to declutter as much as possible, too. Remove any personal items. Potential buyers will have an easier time imagining themselves within each room.
Staging a home can help you attract buyers, too. You can work with a professional stager or do it yourself.
Make sure to brighten every room. Let natural light in. Otherwise, replace bulbs and add a few lamps.
Does your home need a few repairs? Fixing small, cosmetic problems can help you appeal to buyers, too. Consider scheduling an inspection to determine what you need to fix.
Otherwise, update your home’s curb appeal. After all, it’s the first thing people see!
3. Start Marketing
After staging a home and sprucing up the property, you need to consider your marketing strategy.
First, hire a professional photographer to capture your home in the best light. Professional photos can help you spark interest with buyers.
When listing a home, make sure to create an engaging, attention-grabbing description. Buyers tend to search by keywords when looking for specific features. Try calling out specific attributes that can help you attract the right buyers.
For example, you might highlight:
- Neighborhood features (parks, schools, public transportation)
- The number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Square footage
- Hardwood floors
- Quartz countertops
- Appliances
Once you’ve created your listing, spread the word! Use social media marketing, talk to friends, and use print advertising, too. Consider listing your home on your local MLS as well.
4. Act Professional
Once you begin attracting buyers, make sure you’re focused on appealing to their needs.
First, make sure to answer calls regardless of the day or time. Chances are, buyers will start searching during evenings and weekends.
Remain flexible about showing a home, too. Accommodate your schedule to the buyer’s.
Take the time to take feedback seriously as well. For example, you might need to adjust your selling price or curb appeal. Try not to take any criticism you receive personally.
Instead, make updates before your home lingers on the market too long.
5. Find an Attorney
As you learn how to sell a house by owner, you might want to consider hiring a real estate attorney. A real estate attorney can review all documents involved in the process. In some states, you’re required to have an attorney present for these transactions.
6. Prepare for Obstacles
Selling your home on your own could cause you to hit a few obstacles along the way. Remain realistic about the process before listing a home.
For example, you might realize you’ve priced your home too high or too low. You’ll need to learn how to negotiate a deal.
You might need to consider issues with the chain of title, financing issues, or price credits during escrow. Prepare yourself for these situations and remain patient.
7. Skip the Stress
If you want to avoid the stress of selling your home alone, consider working with a team of real estate investors. We can buy your home directly, allowing you to avoid stress.
Your local real estate investment team can review your listing and send a no-obligation cash offer right away. You can sell your home and close the sale at your convenience.
How to Sell a House by Owner: 7 Tips for FSBO Success
Learning how to sell a house by owner can feel a little stressful. Use these tips before listing a home. With these tips, you can remain efficient and minimize your stress as much as possible.
Remember, you can always skip this entire process.
Want to sell your house fast? We’re here to help!
Contact our team today to request your cash offer.
