Geneva is one of those towns that feels too good to be true. Each street is made up of stunning homes from numerous styles like Colonial, Bungalow, and Queen Anne. Whether you’re selling your home to move to an equally charming town or simply swapping your home for one of the other houses for sale in Geneva, selling a home requires finesse. The idea of moving can be overwhelming, but when considering the steps it takes to prepare for selling can feel like a monumental task. It’s best to have a plan to curb the panic, which is why Ruta Baran is here to offer the ultimate guide for selling a home in Geneva.
Find a trusted real estate agent
This step is the most crucial because it sets the course for how you move ahead in the sale of your home. Beginning with finding the perfect agent for you is best in the long run. Having an experienced agent means you have a guide, partner, and expert at your disposal throughout the process. The Baran Group is a brokerage of experienced agents who can break down the selling process into manageable steps. Armed with deep knowledge of Geneva real estate and a keen investment in their clients, each agent can aid in the navigation of selling your property.
Research the market to determine your asking price
Knowledge is power, so understanding the market and how it operates will offer an advantage. Ask your realtor about key resources that could help in your research, starting with market forecasts on the national level and moving down to the local level. It can seem unnecessary and overwhelming. However, this information helps you know the best time of year to sell, how to appraise your home, how to set home costs, and other key information. Remember, if it becomes too complicated, allow your real estate agent to act as your translator.
Prepare and market your home for sale
This is when you prep your home for glamor shots, making it look so good you almost regret moving. Consider this the development of the home’s profile, preparing it to be seen by potential buyers. With that in mind, you want it to look its best.
Clean and stage your home
Since you will be sharing photos and having an open house, you want to clean your home as best as possible. Consider hiring cleaners or doing a deep clean yourself, making mental notes on what needs fixing. Staging your home is another advantage offered through a brokerage since they usually have services to stage your home and photograph it for their website.
Get eyes on your home listing
There are numerous Geneva homes for sale. Making yours stand out requires a level of visibility. In addition to the “for sale” sign up front, most buyers spot homes by real estate listings. Some agencies can place your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is a database where real estate agents share listings on each other’s sites to boost visibility. It is an easy and effective way to double reach for your home.
Show your home
Once the house is cleaned and officially listed, open house season can begin. Consider the open house a first date with potential buyers, introducing them to their future and a beautiful opportunity. Open houses are usually a tag team effort between you and your agent, partnering to ensure every detail is covered.
The elements of a successful open house
- Don’t hover but be available for questions.
- Be ready to share details about the area, such as great parks, restaurants, shopping, schools, and transportation information.
- Make the environment welcoming with a snack and beverage station as well as some soft background music.
- If there are too many people asking questions at once, split them between you and your agent so all inquiries can be addressed.
Review and negotiate offers
If the open house is successful, this is when the offers begin to roll in, which can cause some to wonder how to pick the best offer. Once again, the expertise of a real estate agent will be a saving grace, sharing other considerations going beyond the offer price.
Financial stability
Look for candidates who have pre-approval or can provide bank statements. This includes a preferred payment method, such as whether you are willing to accept a cash offer. Cash offers can be tricky, which is why you, as the seller, are within your rights to ask for proof of funds through an official bank or investment statement.
Contingencies
A buyer could submit an amazing offer as well as an excessive list of contingencies. Remember, contingencies are not problematic but expected. However, in the hands of the wrong buyer, an appraisal could lead to unnecessary changes that could drag out the selling process and demand high costs on the seller.
Timelines
This is a hidden yet important detail. The buyer and seller could align on everything. However, if the buyer wants to move in next month and the seller can’t move in until much later, this could cause conflict. Communicate move-in dates with buyers so you’re both on the same page.
Don’t forget seller closing costs
These can be a sleeper hit for first-time sellers. Closing costs consist of paperwork processing fees, commissions, title insurance, and escrow fees. The closing costs may fluctuate depending on what is required. However, it may help to ask your agent to provide a price range for these costs to have an estimate in mind.
Accept an offer and close the deal
The final step is when an offer is accepted and the deal is closed. This part of the process is when the T’s are crossed and the I’s are dotted, finalizing the transfer of ownership to the buyer. At this stage, the real estate agents and escrow services can take over these last steps, allowing you to share the necessary paperwork and prepare the buyer for life in their new home.
Start now
If you are ready to begin selling your Geneva home, partner with Ruta Baran or one of the other top realtors at The Baran Group. They have the necessary expertise to help you find the perfect buyer for your Geneva home. Reach out today to get started!