How to Jump-Start the Home Selling Process in 6 Steps

If you're on the fence about selling your Raleigh real estate, here's a little nudge in the right direction.

So far in our blog, we’ve covered how to improve initial offers, sell your home with less stress, and why it pays to work with a trusted agent. The common thread is that an experienced agent will save you time and money. As your steadfast advocate, Courtney Whalen goes to work for you on day one.

Why wait until the closing table to see results? With Courtney’s help, you can plant the seeds for a successful sale as soon as today. Many home sellers get bogged down and make poor decisions while playing catch-up. However, prepared sellers make informed decisions, and that decision tree stretches back to day one.

Here’s how Courtney sets you up for long-term success in your first few weeks working together.

Any agent will tell you setting a timeline and sticking to it is the best way to keep your home sale on track. Indeed, the rest of this blog is organized chronologically.

To simplify your timeline, decide when you’d like to sell. You might prefer to sell as soon as possible, but the market might dictate otherwise. For example, luxury homes often sell for max price in late spring and early summer. And if you have school-aged children, such a timeline would let them finish school before moving. Courtney and her team will discuss your options and ensure they fully grasp your priorities.

Advanced agents make timelines with built-in contingencies. Not everything goes exactly according to plan. However, Raleigh is poised to be a strong seller’s market in 2023, with demand outpacing supply. That means you can be more flexible with your sales timeline. If you’re moving out of Raleigh, consult that local market and give yourself time to move to your next residence.

During your initial consultation, you and Courtney will calculate anticipated costs, including Real Estate Agent commissions. As your agent, Courtesy will run point on your sale as a project manager and business partner. As your business partner, Courtney will stick to your budget, and as your project manager, she can recommend contractors. Leave room in your budget for any repairs, upgrades, or renovations. The Compass Concierge program dramatically simplifies the financial variables of your sale. 

A presale inspection is an in-depth look at the condition of your home performed by a third-party contractor. The inspector will look at the structural integrity of your home, including roofs, windows, siding, and walls. They'll also look at mechanical systems like heating, cooling, and electrical systems.

Courtney will recommend a reliable inspector, possibly as part of Compass Concierge. Other services included with Concierge include:

 

 

Asking a professional to perform such services can save you a lot of time and money later on. If any problems need fixing before buyers come through, you'll want to get them taken care of as soon as possible.

Decluttering and deep cleaning your home is one of the best ways to prepare it for sale. Getting rid of excess items cluttering your space can make your home feel more spacious. It will also help you focus on what renovations or repairs are needed to get your home ready for the market. Follow up the decluttering process with a deep house clean. A deep clean should include thorough dusting, window cleaning, carpet steaming, and wiping appliances down until they beam. Don’t forget to do the same to the exterior of your home!

 

If you want to cut through the competitive market and receive more offers on your home, professional photos and staging can make all the difference in selling your home. First, stage the rooms by moving furniture around, adding or removing decor from the room, and using colors that make the area spacious and inviting. Second, take multiple shots of each room from different angles to show the property's unique features. Take advantage of natural lighting and avoid taking photos with flash when possible. You want the images to showcase your house's best parts so potential buyers can get excited about it.

 

With so much focus on the place you’re leaving, it can be easy to lose track of your next house. Moving is an ideal time to take stock of your possessions. As you empty your living spaces, reassess which furniture, furnishings, and trappings you want to keep.

 

Remember to label anything you want to save as you declutter and stage your erstwhile residence. That list may include stacks of books, wardrobe items, and kitchenware. You’ll also need someplace to put your belongings. Three common paths are to rent a storage unit, ask to borrow space in a friend’s garage, or safeguard your things in temporary housing.

The listing is the first impression of your home, and it can make or break your sales efforts. So what goes into a click-worthy listing? First, Courtney will upload the gorgeous photos taken in the previous step. Buyers are visually motivated, so she will use only the best images to attract more offers. The best listings include detailed but concise descriptions of your home's features. Relevant information includes the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and extra rooms, upgrades and repairs, and any other unique qualities about your house that will set your property above the rest.

When you're ready to sell your home, you want the closing stages to go as smoothly as possible. To that end, Courtney will gather for you all the necessary paperwork. This includes the following:

 

 

The Raleigh real estate market is constantly changing. If you want to know if the time is right to sell, a great way to find out is to talk with a professional. Courtney Whalen is here to help you make your dreams a reality, and she can't wait to hear from you!