How to Sell Your Home : The Ultimate Checklist

Are you thinking about selling your home? If so, great!

Deciding to sell your home is a huge life event, that’s packed full of complexities and considerations.

From pinpointing the 'why' and 'when' of selling, to managing costs and legal obligations, the process can seem overwhelming.

But don't worry!

We've crafted a comprehensive, easy-to-use guide to help you sell your home with ease and confidence.

Making the Decision to Sell Your Home

Selling your home is a monumental decision often driven by different motivations.

But understanding why you want to sell your home helps establish a clear vision for the process.

The timing, your personal circumstances, your desired price and your plan for a new home all overlap to shape your home selling journey.

These considerations help you set realistic expectations, make informed choices and streamline your selling process.

Understand your motive for selling. Whether it's upsizing, downsizing, relocating or simply cashing in on your equity - deciding why you want to sell is the first step towards creating an effective strategy.
Does timeframe matter? Are you in a rush to sell your home, or can you afford to wait for a better offer? When you want (or need) to sell will influence your pricing strategy and marketing approach.
Consider major factors : Take into account things like market conditions and any financial commitments that could impact your selling decision.
Price objectives : Do you need to achieve a certain price to make it worthwhile selling your home? Do you have future plans that rely on the final sales price you get?
What’s your next move? Whether it's buying a new home, renting, travelling or moving in with family, it’s important to have your next move planned in case your home sells faster (or for less) than expected.

Costs to Consider When Selling Your Home

When you decide to sell your home, it's not all about the profit from the sale, but also the expenses that go along with it.

Marketing, moving, repairs, legal fees and costs of buying a new home - these outlays can significantly impact your financial outcome, and determine whether or not you’re ready to sell.

By budgeting for these costs upfront, you avoid surprise expenses and can prepare for any financial obligations that might come your way. Here are the main things to consider:

Marketing costs : Selling a home isn't just about placing a 'For Sale' sign out the front. While they can cost a few dollars upfront, investing in quality marketing activities like professional photography, copywriting, interior styling and online listings can make a big difference.
Moving & storage expenses : From professional moving companies to storage facilities, these costs should be factored into your selling budget.
Legal fees : Things like conveyancing fees, agent commissions and potential capital gains tax can significantly impact your net profits.
New home costs : If you're planning to purchase another property, remember to consider the costs involved with buying a new property as well - pre-purchase home inspections, stamp duty and insurance just to name a few.

Preparing Your Home to Sell

First impressions count, and when it comes to selling your home, you have one shot (and about 7 seconds!) to impress potential buyers.

So preparing your property for sale means you’ll spend a few days - or possibly weeks - tidying, decluttering and addressing maintenance issues… maybe even undertaking more major renovations if your home needs it.

While these things can feel tedious and time consuming, they have the potential to increase your home's appeal, make a great impression on potential buyers and give you a much better chance of achieving a great selling price.

Clean up & declutter : A clean, clutter-free home is more inviting to potential buyers. It’s time for a pre-move cleanup!
Fix maintenance issues : Minor repairs like fixing leaky taps, repairing saggy gutters or replacing broken tiles can make your property more attractive.
Minor upgrades : A fresh coat of paint, installing a new dishwasher or a replacing tired flooring could boost your home’s appeal.
Consider renovations : Some renovations may increase your home's value, but it’s important not to overcapitalise. Always seek expert advice from a property specialist or experienced real estate agent before undertaking any significant renovations prior to selling your home.

Finding the Right Real Estate Professional

While many factors matter, your real estate agent is a key ally when it comes to selling your home.

Their role goes far beyond just finding a buyer; they guide you through the process, negotiate on your behalf, single-handedly handle all the marketing and promotion and advocate for you when you get down to the pointing end of the process.

Choosing an agent involves extensive research, multiple interviews, meetings and phone calls, an understanding of what their contracts include and asking loads or questions.

But always keep in mind that it’s not always easy to compare apples with apples. In fact, understanding what agents offer can be quite overwhelming.

So it pays to not only compare commission fees, but also what you’re getting for those fees. Because not all agent services are created equal.

Some offer a lower fee, but with that comes a very low level of service and a lower focus on your individual needs. While some may be a little higher, but you get an all-inclusive, dedicated service and an agent that will genuinely work hard on your behalf.

And like with so many other things in life, it’s often a case of ‘you get what you pay for’.

In short, choosing the right real estate agent will likely secure you a better sale price, make the process easy (enjoyable even!) and provide peace of mind.

Here’s how to find the best real estate agent for you:

Ask for recommendations : A trusted referral from family or friends can be a great starting point in your search for a reliable real estate agent.
Interview several agents : Look for a real estate agent with strong local market knowledge, great reviews and proven track record. Remember, personal rapport is essential, but it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor.
Compare fees AND value : Gather all the information, compare tangible elements and look at all inclusions carefully. Before you sign anything, make sure you understand the agent's fees, marketing plan, and your legal obligations.
Trust your intuition : Remember that choosing a real estate agent isn’t just a business transaction. Selling your home is a personal journey, and you want the right person walking alongside you. So always consider your gut feel. What impression did the agent leave on you? How did they make you feel? Did you feel heard and understood? Was their communication pre- and post-meeting clear, concise and helpful?

Determine A Selling Strategy

The strategy you choose to sell your home can significantly affect your timeline, price and overall experience.

This involves considering seasonal trends, local market conditions, and wider economic influences. With an understanding of these aspects, you can select a method that aligns with your goals, enhancing your chances of a successful sale and potentially maximizing your returns.

Consider seasonal trends : While spring often sees more buyers, selling your home in less competitive seasons might just fetch you a better price.
Analyse local market conditions : A seller's market - where there is high demand and few homes for sale - can warrant a higher asking price, while a buyer's market - where there’s low demand and many home on the market - will determine what sort of pricing strategy you choose.
Economic factors: National and global economic conditions can influence not only buyer sentiment, but also their purchasing power.
Decide on a selling strategy : This means how you want to sell your home, based on all the factors above. Auction, private treaty, off-market or 'best offer by'? Each sales method has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on your situation.

Figure Out Your Selling Price

Price is often a buyer's first consideration - setting the tone for their overall search - which makes it critical for sellers to set a realistic, yet competitive, selling price for their home.

But how do you work out what ‘competitive’ is?

Determining the selling price for your home involves a professional appraisal, extensive market research and considering all other internal and external factors that might influence your home's value.

The best way to do this is to engage a knowledgeable real estate agent who can guide you through all the information and help you make an informed decision.

By taking these steps, not only can you justify your asking price, but you’ll also attract the right buyers and give yourself a better chance to achieve your desired sale price.

Seek a professional appraisal : A professional property valuation or appraisal gives you a credible reference point for your asking price, and includes all relevant data about trends that have been occurring in the local property market over recent weeks and months.
Research the market : Compare similar properties in your area - the ones that have sold AND the ones that were listed but passed in. This can give you an idea of your home's potential selling price.
Consider home value influencers : Things like location, size, age, condition and any improvements made to your home can affect the price you ask for it.

Marketing Your Home Effectively

A well-marketed home can attract more potential buyers, often leading to a quicker sale at a better price.

In fact, according to one study, homes that had a greater marketing investment saw two and a half times more inspections than those who chose to scrimp - more people through a home = a higher likelihood of selling.

At the end of the day, the objective is to have buyers fall in love with your property. Because when buyers become emotionally invested in a home, they’re more likely to offer a higher price to secure it!

An effective marketing strategy will boost your home's visibility and appeal, leading to quicker sales, higher offers and more profit in your pocket.

Here are the elements to consider:

Staging your home: Styling your home to sell can enhance it’s appeal and help buyers envision themselves living there. Professional home stylists are often a great way to optimise your home’s presentation and make sure it shines.
Professional Photography : Investing in professional photography can make your print material and online listing stand out from the crowd, and entice more potential buyers.
Engaging Copy : Professionally written property descriptions and compelling copy can make your listing stand out, paint an appealing picture of your home's unique features and lifestyle benefits and connect emotionally with potential buyers.
Plan inspections : Decide what works best for you - whether you'll hold open houses, smaller, more private inspections or viewings by appointment only.
Traditional marketing channels : Sometimes tried and tested is best. And the truth is, traditional marketing techniques still work. So don’t shy away from them. Think things like street signage, brochures, flyers, window cards and good old phone calls to your agent’s internal buyer database.
Leverage digital marketing : In today’s digital world, online listings, emails, social media promotion and virtual tours are a hallmark of any good real estate marketing campaign, and can reach a broader audience than traditional methods.

Legal & Financial Considerations

Selling your home involves a number of legal and financial considerations too, and exist to protect your interests and ensure a smooth transfer of ownership.

By tackling these issues head on, you can avoid legal pitfalls, meet all your responsibilities and ensure a legally compliant, trouble-free transaction.

Choose a conveyancer : A reputable conveyancer can guide you through all the legal aspects of selling your property (there are many!), and help break down into simple terms all the complex jargon that goes along with it.
Prepare the ‘Contract of Sale’ : This legally binding document outlines the terms and conditions of the sale, and once agreed on, is primarily handled by your real estate agent and the conveyancer.
Understand Capital Gains Tax : Depending on your situation, you might need to pay capital gains tax on the sale of your home, so it’s best to speak to a qualified accountant to understand what this means, and how to best go about it.

What to Do After Your Property Is Sold

Accepting an offer and waiting for settlement doesn't mark the end of your selling journey.

Understanding the closing process, addressing practical matters and considering ‘what’s next?’ are all essential steps.

By managing these post-sale tasks effectively, you’ll ensure a seamless transition for both you and the buyer, culminating in a satisfying end to your home selling journey.

Prepare for the final walkthrough : Buyers are entitled to a ‘final walk-through’ prior to settlement to ensure everything is in the agreed-upon condition and all personal belongings have been removed. So make sure your home is ready for it by having everything in order prior to this date.
Closing the deal : Be ready for the final steps - settling outstanding payments, signing any final paperwork, transferring the title and handing over the keys.
Take care of practicalities : Don't forget to notify relevant parties of your address change, transfer insurances and arrange for utilities disconnection.

Embarking on the journey to sell your home can feel like a BIG task.

But with the right planning, preparation and understanding of what lies ahead, it can become an exciting and profitable adventure.

Remember, each home and situation is different, but to make it as painless as possible, always seek expert advice and approach the process with positivity (and a healthy dose of patience!)

When you're ready to take the next step in preparing to sell your home, working with an experienced and reputable real estate agent is always your best bet.

So don't hesitate to reach out to us at We Connect Property - we’re always here to tackle this exciting journey with you!

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As property experts with over 21+ years combined experience in buying, selling and managing property in Adelaide, We Connect Property are ready and waiting to offer expert guidance and support when you need it most, and answer all your questions about selling your property.

Check out our 5 star Google reviews to find out what our happy clients think!

And if you’re just getting started, or looking for valuable property investment, buying or selling tips, tricks and advice?

Check out these other handy articles on our blog:

· How to Add Value to Your Home Outdoors Without Blowing Your Budget

· Selling Your Home : Does Marketing Make A Difference?

· Selling a Home While Buying Another

Give us a call on 0403 799 983 today, or drop a line to sales@weconnectproperty.com.au - we can’t wait to chat!

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DISCLAIMER: All recommendations made by We Connect Property are general in nature and not to be relied upon as legal or financial advice. To ensure accuracy, we always strongly recommend seeking independent, professional advice tailored to your specific situation before making any investment or financial decisions.