Thinking of selling your home in the Central Ohio area? If you expect to earn the greatest possible profit on your home sale, you've got to give yourself plenty of time to prepare—we're talking months before you want to move out. Here's what to expect before, during, and after the sale!
How to Sell Your Central Ohio Home
Step 1:
Find an experienced agent
This is a crucial first step! Take some time to research local real estate agents who have experience selling homes in your area. Enlisting the help of an agent who understands local market trends will likely get your home sold quicker!
To learn more about our Central Ohio agents, check out our qualifications and experience!
Step 2:
Consider repairs and improvements
Your agent will do a walkthrough of your home and can make recommendations on a few improvements that could increase your potential profits. Be proactive by scheduling a pre-listing inspection to see if there are any necessary repairs or maintenance tasks—this will prevent any surprises down the line.
Value-boosting home improvements can include projects such as painting, refinishing hardwood floors, landscaping, updating or repairing your HVAC system, or even performing minor kitchen and bathroom repairs.
Step 3:
Price it right
Listing your property at a competitive price is the best way to earn the highest return on your valuable investment. And while it may be tempting to turn to an automatic online estimator, the Yoder Barnhart Team knows the Central Ohio market better than any algorithm.
To find your potential listing price, we will compare your property to other recently sold listings in the area, the prices of nearby homes currently on the market, and the overall condition of your home. When you work with our team to find your home's true value, you're guaranteed a top dollar sale!
Step 4:
Get your home ready
Hopefully, you have already started decluttering, which will make your home appear larger and cleaner. If you still have a lot of extra stuff, you can rent a storage unit until you move into your new place.
Work with your agent to stage your home, making sure that it's warm and welcoming! And don't forget to deep clean before showings—and we do mean all the nooks and crannies.
Step 5:
Market your home
The key to selling your home is in finding the right buyers, which requires some skilled marketing—this is where working with an experienced agent really pays off. A well-rounded agent knows how to target the best buyers for your home, plus they have access to a wealth of resources, including online listing services, large social media followings, and even local agent networks.
Step 6:
Show off your home
In addition to pre-planned open houses, your agent can scheduling a showing of your home at any time. And if you want to get the highest possible price, be flexible with showings and have your home ready for its close-up at all times. Additionally, you should be ready to leave the house during showings to avoid making buyers uncomfortable.
Step 7:
Negotiate and accept an offer
If a buyer wants to purchase your home, they will make you a written offer, which usually states how much they'll pay, their mortgage amount, closing and occupancy dates, and any contingencies. As the seller, the decision is always yours—you can choose to accept an offer or counter it with different terms. It's not uncommon to go back and forth until both parties agree, and your agent will be there to help you negotiate every step of the way.
Step 8:
Sign the dotted line
Once you and the buyer have agreed upon an offer, you will both sign a legal contract called a Purchase and Sale Agreement. This outlines the specific terms, conditions, and contingencies of the home sale.
Step 9:
Cooperate with inspections
Next, the buyer will hire an inspector to ensure that no major repairs will be needed after they purchase the home. The inspector will go through every inch of the house, paying particular attention to the roof, basement, heating and cooling systems, structure, plumbing, and electrical. If the inspector finds any needed repairs, the buyer can negotiate for the costs of the repairs.
Step 10:
Enter escrow
Escrow is a sort of limbo period between selling your home and receiving the money. During this time, you and your agent will work with an escrow company to finish up any paperwork and make sure that all parts of the contract are complete. You may remember this step from originally buying your home, but instead of putting money down, your role is now to just hold up your end of the agreement.
Step 11:
Sign, pay, and close!
On a predetermined closing date, you and your buyer will sit down with your agents to sign any remaining paperwork and pay all your fees. This is when you'll relinquish your keys and property title. After your mortgage is paid off, you'll receive a check for the remaining balance from your bank. Congrats—you have officially sold your home!
Ready to Sell Your Home?
The first step is to contact our team! From home staging and professional photographs to negotiations and closing paperwork, we're here to be your personal home-selling guide—and we can't wait to start this exciting new chapter with you!
Not quite ready to list? That's okay, we've got plenty of resources to help you learn more about selling your home!