Home Closing with Confidence: Essential Dos and Don’ts for Sellers

Published on 20 December 2023 in Blog Ottawa homes or sale Tips by Jenn Chamberlain

The home closing process can feel like an emotional and mental rollercoaster. Whether you’ve sold a home before or this is your first time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you need to do during the closing process. This guide will help you avoid common mistakes and increase your chances of selling your house quickly without skipping over any important details.

Dos of Selling Your Home

Selling a home can be complicated, but there are a few things you can do to ensure the process goes smoothly. When you’re selling your home, here are some top tips to keep in mind:

1. Use a Real Estate Agent

A real estate agent can save you time and money during the sale of your home. Choosing someone local means they know the market well and can walk you through important steps related to price, inspections, and staging. At Results Realty, we’ve found that using an agent gets sellers’ homes sold faster and for the best price compared to going it alone.

2. Set Realistic Expectations on Price

While you want to get the most money possible for your home, it’s important to remember that there are plenty of factors that determine its value. Do your due diligence when setting your price that attracts buyers but also doesn’t turn away people who might be interested in making an offer.

3. Consider Having Your Home Inspected

Having a home inspection done can reveal plenty of information about your house. For example, it might reveal issues you’ll want to fix before putting it on the market. In addition, it’ll also let you know what your most attractive selling points are. You can use those to attract buyers.

4. Prepare Your Home for Sale the Right Way

Ensure that your home is presentable when you have it up for sale. It should look picture-perfect enough that a new family can easily see themselves living there. Tend to the yard, even in the winter, and consider staging the inside with furniture that is modern and clean.

Don’ts of Selling Your Home

There are a few mistakes that many homeowners make when closing a home sale. These mistakes can make it harder to finish the deal with a buyer, delay the process, or even reduce the final sale price. Here are some things to avoid:

1. Rush Your Home to Market

You could be tempted to get your home up for sale as soon as possible, thinking it will sell quickly. But you may need to do repairs or wait a few months for a better economic time to list. Working with a real estate agent allows you to use their knowledge of market trends and data to your advantage. They can let you know which repairs are worth the investment and the ideal time to list.

2. Put Your Home Up for Sale Without Market Research

Market research can be a tedious part of selling a home, but its importance can’t be overstated. You need to know what other homes in your neighbourhood are selling for, the average time they’re remaining on the market, and what’s making some houses sell faster than others. Leverage this information to help you sell your own house.

3. Take the First or Highest Offer You Receive

You may get excited by your first offer or be tempted to take the most money when you have multiple offers. A real estate agent can help you review other factors, such as whether the buyer has a good chance of being approved for a mortgage, to determine whether an offer is worth considering.

Ready to Sell Your Home?

At Results Realty, we’ve helped numerous homeowners through the selling process. We’re here to lend a hand, whether you’ve got questions about closing costs, offers, or the current market. Contact us today to get started on the right foot when selling your home.