You just heard those magic words: Let’s make a deal. Now you have to get through escrow. So how can you make sure your home doesn’t go back on the market? Here are six steps you can take to make sure your home closes smoothly:
1. Carefully consider your sales price. If you’re working with an experienced real estate agent, they should have a recommended pricing strategy based on comparables in your area. Pushing your agent for a higher sales price can make your home sit on the market, and if you do get an offer, the appraisal may not match the sales price.
2. Look for liens. It may come as a surprise, but title issues account for 11% of closing delays, according to HomeLight. Sometimes, title clean-up can be as easy as verifying that a debt has been paid and recorded. Other times, it can take months to address outstanding debts. Be sure to pay off any debts, loans, or taxes that may show up on the title before you list.
3. Disclose, disclose, disclose. Sellers are legally required to disclose all material facts about the home. The buyer’s inspection will probably reveal all of these issues anyway, so there’s no point in hiding them. Fix the problem ahead of time, list the home below market value to account for it, or offer the buyer a credit at closing.
“The fewer contingencies the buyer has, the clearer the path to closing. “
4. Be willing to negotiate. It’s easy to get fixated on the list price and not want to come down. If things show up on the inspection that should be fixed, sticking to your price could cost you the deal.
5. Limit contingencies. If you have a couple of offers, try to take the one that has the fewest contingencies. The offer price and financial strength of the buyer are important, but the fewer contingencies the buyer has, the clearer the path to closing.
6. Be friendly with your neighbors. The last thing you need is a grumpy guy across the street complaining about the traffic and scaring off your buyers. Knock on the doors of these problem neighbors and offer them a plate of cookies to help pacify them.
If you’re thinking about selling your home and you want some tips or even a free home valuation, feel free to call or email us with any questions you have. We look forward to hearing from you. If this video was helpful, subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on the notifications.