So you've thought long and hard, and have decided you're ready to sell your home. However, before you put your house on the market, there are several things you’ll need to be prepared for to ensure your home sale will go as smoothly and problem-free as possible. Take a look at our 5 ways to prepare your home to sell:
Spend some time, and funds, to give your home the makeover it needs.
Homebuyers want to be able to envision themselves and their families in the home they are ready to purchase. As a seller, it’s important to give buyers a “clean slate” so they can picture their own furniture, décor, etc. in the home. To prepare your home to sell, you should store your extra furniture and unique pieces, clean up any clutter, paint over the pink walls in your daughter's room, and take down the Iron Man posters in your son's room. You should also plan to spend some time and effort on your home’s curb appeal – what potential buyers see as they drive up to your home speaks volumes and leaves a lasting impression. Clean up your landscaping and trim any overgrowth, and be sure you don’t have any exterior “eyesores.”
Do some research on the local real estate market.
This step is especially essential if you're doing the "For Sale by Owner" thing, because you're going to want to have a decent understanding of what your local market looks like. How much are houses selling for in your neighborhood? How much more can you expect for your 4-bedroom home downtown compared with a 1-bedroom out on the edge of town? What are the average closing costs in your area?These things are all important to know. Do your homework and get to know the answers so you don't go into this blind. For most people, their home is their largest asset. Don't leave anything to chance if you can avoid it.
Clear up any title issues as early as possible.
You may choose not to retain a real estate agent. With apps like Zillow and Realtor.com, these days you have a better chance than ever before when you go it alone. However, leaving property title issues to fate is another matter entirely.The seller generally pays for the title insurance and chooses the title/closing company in all Florida counties except for Miami-Dade, Broward, Sarasota and Collier Counties. If you are selling a property in any county except for those four (4), you should research title companies to handle the closing and issue the title insurance for you. Be sure to read online Google reviews and reviews on other popular sites such as Yelp and Facebook. This can save you headaches and delays once you receive a signed contract.You should always get title quotes from a few different title companies so that you have choices. However, don't decide on price alone. Write down what services each title insurance company offers, and the reputation of each. You can find a great Florida title company if you do some digging.
Set aside enough funds for closing costs and any other costs you may incur.
Closing costs are all costs required to close the real estate transaction. They can include (but are not limited to) property taxes, title insurance, attorney fees, closing agent fees, recording fees, real estate commissions, and the balances of any outstanding mortgages. Remember, your closing costs will be higher if you use a listing agent. We recommend that prior to closing you review your final Settlement Statement to ensure that all the calculations are correct and that you have been given all the agreed upon credits.
Know when to hire an expert.
If you don’t truly grasp the full spectrum of selling your own home or all things title, you should hire an expert. Even if you don't hire an agent or a lawyer, a good Florida title company can provide many benefits as you are selling your home. Beyond the usual things like closing cost quotes or title searches, a title agency can help you with things you might not expect. For example, they often provide hosting and facilitation of the closing as an impartial provider without a vested interest in either side. They also provide notary services and act as escrow agent.At Title Partners of South Florida, we have an experienced team of professionals who have been serving the state of Florida for over 22 years. We are here to ensure the final steps before your closing proceed smoothly – whether you’re selling your home yourself or using an agent.]]>
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