3 Must-Do’s When Selling Your House in 2024
For Sellers Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group January 24, 2024
For Sellers Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group January 24, 2024
If one of the goals on your list is selling your house and making a move this year, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement about what’s ahead and feeling a little sentimental about your current home.
A great way to balance those emotions and make sure you’re confident in your decision is to keep these three best practices in mind when you’re ready to sell.
The housing market shifted in 2023 as mortgage rates rose and home price appreciation started to normalize once again. As a seller, you still need to recognize how important it is to price your house appropriately based on where the market is today. Hannah Jones, Economic Research Analyst for Realtor.com, explains:
“Sellers need to become familiar with their local market and work closely with a local agent to make sure their listing is attractive to buyers. Buyers feeling the pressure of affordability are likely to be pickier, so a well-priced, well-maintained home is the ticket to drumming up big demand.”
If you price your house too high, you run the risk of deterring buyers. And if you go too low, you’re leaving money on the table. An experienced real estate agent can help determine what your ideal asking price should be, so your house moves quickly and for top dollar.
Today, homeowners are staying in their houses longer than they used to. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), since 1985, the average time a homeowner has owned their home has increased from 6 to 10 years (see graph below):
This is much more than what used to be the norm. The side effect, however, is when you stay in one place for so long, you may get even more emotionally attached to your space. If it’s the first home you bought or the house where your loved ones grew up, it very likely means something extra special to you. Every room has memories, and it’s hard to detach from the sentimental value.
For some homeowners, that makes it even tougher to separate the emotional value of the house from fair market price. That’s why you need a real estate professional to help you with the negotiations and the best pricing strategy along the way. Trust the professionals who have your best interests in mind.
While you may love your decor and how you’ve customized your house over the years, not all buyers will feel the same way about your vibe. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you focus on your home’s first impression, so it appeals to as many buyers as possible.
Buyers want to be able to picture themselves in the home. They need to see themselves inside with their furniture and keepsakes – not your pictures and decorations. As Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at NAR, says:
“Buyers want to easily envision themselves within a new home and home staging is a way to showcase the property in its best light.”
A real estate professional can help you with expertise on getting your house ready to sell.
If you’re considering selling your house, let’s connect so you have help navigating the process while prioritizing these must-do’s.
This blog post previously appeared on https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2024/01/22/3-must-dos-when-selling-your-house-in-2024?a=106260-312309902871c1f0d820820f58bf8fde. The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. and the Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. and the Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
Home Equity
As home values rise, so does your net worth. And, if you’ve been in your house for a few years (or longer), there’s a good chance you’re sitting on a pile of equity — … Read more
For Sellers
Here are a few quick FAQs that can help you decide how much you should prioritize staging as you prep for your move.
Agent Value
The automated estimates you’re seeing online often miss key details that affect the true market value of your home.
Pricing
You may be wondering if home prices are going to crash. But experts agree that's not what's in the cards – and here's why.
Selling Tips
Most sellers complete at least minor repairs when selling their house. But sometimes life gets in the way and that’s just not possible.
For Sellers
Historically, the number of homes for sale tends to drop during the cooler months – and that means buyers have fewer options to choose from.
Mortgage Rates
If you’ve been keeping an eye on mortgage rates lately, you might feel like you’re on a roller coaster ride. So, what’s driving this constant change?
Housing Inventory
If you’re debating whether or not you want to sell right now, it might be because you’ve got some unanswered questions.
Down Payments
For over 79 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped countless Veterans achieve the dream of homeownership.
Get assistance in determining current property value, crafting a competitive offer, writing and negotiating a contract, and much more. Contact us today.