Seller’s Guide

Selling a home can be an overwhelming experience.  Many people only sell 2-3 houses in a lifetime, selling a home is a life changing event, Realnet’s Seller’s Guide will help you navigate a savvy plan and help get that ‘SOLD’ sign in your front lawn.

Realnet’s 6 tips to Selling Your Home will help you identify the items you can focus on to help make your home sell quickly.  Realnet’s experienced Realtors will add their real estate expertise to make your selling experience a pleasure.

Tips on Home Staging

Home staging tips are very valuable because as homeowners, we spend many hours every day in our home. 

We are familiar with every detail of the home and are comfortable with the organization…and maybe some clutter!

Think like a Buyer!

But when it’s time to sell your home, it’s time to think like a buyer! We need to approach the home as if you never lived there. Look at each item and fixture in the home. If an item isn’t serving a purpose or adding decoration, let’s consider putting it in storage.

Appeal to the Masses

Sounds simple enough, right? If you repaint, use standard colors that are popular in new homes right now. Generally we recommend beiges, greys and eggshell white for trim.

When is the best time to sell my home in Tampa Bay?

The best time to sell your home in Tampa Bay typically aligns with spring and summer, when buyer activity is highest. However, market conditions, economic factors, and personal circumstances also play crucial roles in timing your sale for the best outcome.  

Market conditions, including supply and demand, interest rates, and economic indicators, directly impact your home’s sale price, how quickly it sells, and the terms of the sale. A realtor in Tampa Bay can provide current market insights to guide your selling strategy.

Determining your home’s worth involves a comparative market analysis (CMA), which a local real estate agent can provide. This analysis compares your home to similar properties in Tampa Bay that have recently sold, accounting for differences in features, size, and location. 

Location, property size, home condition, upgrades, and local market trends influence your home’s value in Tampa Bay. Economic conditions and interest rates also affect overall market value. 

Focus on curb appeal, minor repairs, and decluttering. Consider updates that improve home value, such as fresh paint, updated fixtures, and maintained landscaping. Prioritize improvements that appeal to Tampa Bay buyers’ preferences. 

Staging your home involves decluttering, deep cleaning, and arranging furniture to highlight your home’s features. Neutral decor and good lighting make spaces appear larger and more inviting, appealing to a broad range of buyers in Tampa Bay. 

The selling process includes deciding to sell, preparing your home, listing it, marketing, receiving offers, negotiating, and closing. A Tampa Bay real estate agent can guide you through each step, ensuring a smooth transaction. 

The time it takes to sell a home in Tampa Bay varies based on market conditions, home type, and price. On average, homes can sell within a few weeks to a few months. Your realtor can offer more specific insights based on current trends. 

A realtor offers market expertise, negotiation skills, and marketing resources to attract buyers and secure the best sale price. They handle the complexities of the selling process, making it easier for you in Tampa Bay. 

Select a realtor with a strong track record in Tampa Bay, excellent communication skills, and a marketing strategy that aligns with your goals. Look for someone you trust to represent your interests effectively. 

Costs include realtor commissions, closing costs, potential repairs, and staging expenses. Understanding these fees upfront can help you budget effectively for your home sale in Tampa Bay. 

Enhance curb appeal, make strategic upgrades, stage your home effectively, and price it competitively based on a comprehensive market analysis. A skilled realtor in Tampa Bay can advise on the best strategies for your specific property. 

Legal considerations include disclosure requirements, contract obligations, and potential tax implications. Consulting with a real estate attorney or a knowledgeable realtor in Tampa Bay can help navigate these aspects. 

Required paperwork typically includes the original sales contract, property deeds, mortgage documents, home inspection reports, and disclosures regarding any property issues. Your realtor can help you compile and manage these documents. 

After selling your home, ensure all necessary documents are filed, such as the deed transfer. Plan your move, notify important parties of your address change, and consider your next housing steps, whether it’s buying another property or renting. 

Coordinate your sale and purchase or rental timelines to ensure a smooth transition. Consider temporary housing if needed. Utilize a checklist to manage tasks like moving services, utility transfers, and updating your address. 

Consider a professional cleaner while your home is on the market. There are several benefits to hiring a professional cleaner, and living in a clean home will help you stay comfortable during this transition time. Additionally, the increased amount of traffic in your home will bring in more dust and dirt. Having a home cleaner will help you stay ahead of the dirt and keep your home in top showing condition!˙

Give the Home a Good Scrub

Depersonalize

Think of how a new home builder would decorate their model home. This is our goal for listing your home. Remove any personal artwork, family photos, financial and tax documents, personal paperwork, and any valuable personal data that needs to remain confidential.

In Central Florida, Greg Vander Wel serves as a Broker at Realnet Florida Real Estate, a prominent company known for its 100% commission structure. This Real Estate brokerage is conveniently located nearby and is considered one of the best 100% commission companies, with no desk fees.

Give each Room a Purpose

If you have a play/toy room, set the room up as a cozy getaway for the kids and their toys. Make sure your buyers will know that your home is much more organized because the kids items are not strewn across the home!   If you have an office or study, set the room up to be a distraction free place to get work done. Make sure there are no items to clutter the room and definitely make sure the office/study is not a storage area!

Keep Trash Cans Empty

This is another great reason to hire a professional cleaning crew. Food left in a trash can will stink up a house in no time! Make sure to keep the trash cans emptied and if you hire a cleaning crew, have them also empty cans each time they clean the home.

Don’t Forget the Fridge

Take 30 minutes and go through your refrigerator! Clean out any items that aren’t getting used and check expiration dates on everything. It is not uncommon for prospective buyers will open a refrigerator door during showings, we want to be 100% prepared and tidying up the refrigerator is an important detail. Additionally, remove all the refrigerator magnets you collected on your favorite vacations. Hold onto those magnets and put them up on the fridge in your NEW home!

Pantry

Clean n organize pantry, be sure to remove unused items and check expiration labels. Cluttered food areas and expired foods can be a distraction for potential buyers.

Lights & Fire Alarms

Make sure all light bulbs are functioning and not burned out. If a bulb is flickering, replace it. Also, smoke detectors have batteries for backup. Once those batteries wear out, the smoke alarm will beep every minute or so. The beep can be a major distraction for potential buyers. Be sure that your smoke detectors have a fresh battery.

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