Perhaps you’re thinking about putting your Boston home on the market, and you’re wondering what steps you should follow first. Maybe you’re simply wondering if now is a good time to sell a home in Boston. Wherever you find yourself in the selling process, this article will provide helpful information that will make it easier to think about the path forward. Read this article in detail before you move forward with selling a home in Boston.
Preparing your house to sell
Determine your home's value
Before you can list your home for sale, you must determine the best asking price to include with your listing. Your home should be priced competitively, generating the greatest amount of attention from buyers while not limiting the amount of money you can walk away with. Start by asking your realtor if they can run a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for you. This report will give you a better idea of what homes in your area have sold for in recent months. This information is crucial because it affects the appraised value of your home.
Interviewing real estate agents
If you want to sell your home faster and for a better price, it’s wise to partner with an experienced real estate agent who can help you market your home and negotiate the best deal. Finding a good agent is a process, and you’ll need to set aside enough time to thoroughly vet each person you might consider working with. Review past clients’ online reviews before scheduling an in-person consultation. Don’t worry if you notice an agent has a few negative reviews, especially if they have worked in the industry for a long time. You only need to worry about negative reviews if there are plenty of them or if they all reflect a similar concern or issue. Chances are that your experience will resemble theirs.
Upgrades to improve your home value
If you’re not in a rush to put your home on the market, you might think about what upgrades you can complete that will boost your ROI and help your home stand out. One way to think about the best projects to take on is to look at other homes on the market at a similar price to yours. If you notice any trends or patterns developing in the listings, you’ll want to make sure your home isn’t at a competitive disadvantage if it can’t offer the same features and amenities. If nothing comes to mind after looking at other home listings, perhaps you choose to take on a job based on which projects tend to offer the greatest ROI.
Good and bad times to sell
Many sellers find that listing their home during the late spring and early summer gives them the best chance to turn a higher profit. It’s also a good idea to think about the day and time of the week when you’ll publicize your listing. Consider putting your home on the market late in the afternoon on Thursday to give yourself the best chance of being noticed.
Staging your home and taking photos
It’s highly recommended that you outsource photography to a professional when you’re getting ready to list your home. They can take bright and compelling images that are more likely to cause prospective buyers to pause and look at your home. Before you hire a photographer, take some time to stage each room in your home. Take down any personal photographs and make sure your home isn’t overly cluttered or crowded. Refer to your realtor for staging and photography as they will have experience with many industry professionals and will have great referrals for you.
Selling your home
Listing on the MLS
The MLS, or multiple listing service, is an online platform accessible only to licensed real estate agents. It’s a great way to potentially reach more serious buyers since they have already partnered with a licensed real estate agent to help them with their home sale.
Open house and virtual tours
You don’t have to schedule an open house when you’re selling your home, but it’s certainly one option that you have. The alternative is allowing buyers to schedule private showings for when they can visit your home with their realtor. You’ll need to be flexible during times when your realtor contacts you to let you know that a buyer is interested in coming to see your home. It’s important to make sure your home is clean and in order before anyone comes to see it in person.
Appraisal
Once your home goes under contract, it will need to appraise for a fair market price in order for the buyer to secure funding from their lender. If your home doesn’t appraise, you can still complete the sale. However, you may have to renegotiate the price or ask the seller to put more money down so they don’t have to borrow as much from their lender.
Frequently asked questions about selling your Boston home
How long does it take to sell a home in Boston?
Most homes in Boston sell within the first month after going on the market. Homes that are in especially high demand may go under contract within the first two weeks after listing.
How can I get the most money for my Boston home?
Many people find that working with Tracy Shea is the best way to make a higher profit when selling a home in Boston. Tracy is an expert when it comes to marketing, staging, and showing homes for sale in Boston. She takes great pride in helping each of her clients maximize their investment and come away with the best deal possible. Reach out to Tracy when you’re ready to move forward with the selling process.
