The real estate market is a complex and intimidating thing. Whether you’re hoping to buy or sell a home, there’s a lot to worry about and many moving parts to tackle. If you’re not adequately prepared before you start your journey in the housing market, your experience could turn into a nightmare fast.
Luckily, buying or selling a home doesn’t have to be an agonizing ordeal. There are some steps you can take to make sure that whether you’re browsing Sullivan’s Island homes or trying to sell a piece of Mount Pleasant real estate, you have a smooth and stress-free time of it and walk away with either the house of your dreams or the best possible price on your home. With the help of a top-notch agent and these indispensable tips, you can navigate the market like a pro.
Cut back on clutter early
Whether you’re buying or selling, you probably won’t be staying in your current house for much longer. The sooner you start cleaning up your clutter, the easier the move will be when the time comes. This is useful when you’re looking for a new home to live in, but it’s all the more critical when you’re looking to sell.
Selling a house requires staging it well for private tours and taking high-quality listing photos to entice potential buyers. It’s absolutely essential to get personal items and clutter out of the way before you start preparing for these steps, as you don’t want your house to look too lived-in when you start showing it off to potential buyers.
Stay flexible during the sale
Whether you’re buying or selling, a lot can happen during the final transaction. Every housing market is different, and Mount Pleasant real estate can differ from other communities in surprising ways. That’s why it’s important to manage your expectations well before you get going.
If you’re selling, you must be prepared for a potentially long wait. Many potential variables in the market can influence how quickly you find a buyer, and even if you find yourself in a seller’s market, that doesn’t necessarily mean buyers will be knocking down your door with lofty offers. A skilled and experienced real estate agent will be able to advise you on how to sell your home more successfully, but it’s important to know going in that selling a house doesn’t happen overnight.
If you’re hoping to buy, it’s just as important to manage your expectations going in. Many things can set back your home-buying process, and even if you do everything right, the seller might still decide to go with a different buyer. Having a skilled agent by your side is another way to manage the hardship of buying a property, as their experience with the local housing market will make sure you’re paying the right price for a home you’ll truly love. But even with an expert agent in your corner, patience is key, no matter what side of the transaction you’re on.
Get your paperwork in order
Whether you’re buying or selling a property, having your finances straight is essential. If you’re looking to buy a house, it’s absolutely vital that you get your paperwork sorted out and get preapproved for a home mortgage before you get to buying. There are numerous advantages to this. For one thing, getting pre-approved for a mortgage gives you a good idea of what your ultimate budget will be when you start shopping for homes. In addition, it will also save you a lot of trouble in the long run to have your finances sorted and ready to roll as soon as you’ve found a house you want to buy. The seller will likely be much more interested in working with you if they know you’re already approved for a loan as well.
Getting your finances in order is also vital if you’re selling a house. While you obviously want to make a profit by selling your home, there are costs to keep in mind as well. Selling costs include the agents’ commission fees, as well as the costs of preparing and staging your home in advance of tours and listing photos. Once you’ve found a buyer, you’ll have to pay a variety of closing costs to transfer ownership over to them. These costs and fees can quickly add up and present a serious headache to prospective sellers, which is why it’s all the more important to get your finances sorted out early on so you know exactly what you can afford ahead of time.
Team up with an expert from the very beginning
So much of the stress of buying and selling a home can be mitigated with the help of a skilled local agent. No matter which side of the table you’re on, an experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the ins and outs of the housing market and cut down on a lot of misery. If you’re selling a house, it’s crucial to have an agent on your side months before you even plan to list, as that gives them time to inspect the property, identify key areas to work on, and strategize how to market the home to the best effect.
If you’re getting ready to buy or sell a home in Mount Pleasant or Sullivan’s Island real estate, contact an experienced agent like Kenton Selvey. As an expert luxury agent in the Charleston area, Kenton has built up 25 years of experience in marketing and real estate transactions. He is a driven negotiator and a passionate marketer, committed to helping his clients achieve the best possible outcomes in real estate. If you’re considering getting serious with real estate, a trusted professional like Kenton is exactly who you need to help your time on the market go as smoothly and stress-free as possible. Reach out today!
*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock
