Selling a House in 6 Easy Steps

By Mark Spain Real Estate

When it comes to selling a house, getting started can be the hardest part. While you may be ready to move on to your next chapter, it can be difficult to navigate the real estate market and sell your home fast. 

To overcome this apprehension, it helps to plan and understand the home-selling process thoroughly. Luckily, the home-selling experts at Mark Spain Real Estate are here to guide you every step of the way. Our team seamlessly streamlines home sales by implementing our industry-leading selling strategies! To get started, let’s look at the six fundamental steps involved in selling a house. 

Selling a House in 6 Easy Steps

Step 1: Hire a Qualified Real Estate Agent

Right off the bat, the first step in selling a house should be hiring a qualified real estate agent. Though some sellers take the sell-by-owner approach, working with an experienced realtor is the best way to ensure your sale is smooth and stress-free. The ideal real estate agent will help prepare your home for the market, set a competitive listing price, market your home across online and in-person platforms, negotiate offers, and walk you through the closing process. 

It’s essential to be selective when hiring an agent, as some will be a better fit than others for your listing. Your agent should have experience selling your type of property, be familiar with your local market, and be openly communicative to make you feel at ease. At Mark Spain Real Estate, we have exclusive insights into some of the most popular markets in the country, including Atlanta, Dallas, Raleigh, Orlando, and more. When you trust our expert listing agents, you’ll find it easy to navigate your local market and sell your home fast.

Step 2: Set a Competitive Price

Setting a listing price can be the most significant step in your selling process. Though many might think this is a simple decision, it goes beyond just making a profit from what you originally paid for your home. There are several factors to consider when setting an asking price, including recently sold neighborhood comparables, supply and demand of real estate in your area, your home’s fair market value, and of course – your specific selling needs as an owner. For example, if you need to sell your house quickly, this may affect how you price your home and what offers you’re willing to take in a time crunch. 

To set a competitive listing price, you must properly evaluate the value of your home. With the help of an experienced realtor like Mark Spain Real Estate, you can accurately price your home and maximize your pool of prospective buyers. Our experts conduct comparative market analysis to evaluate your home’s value and garner maximum exposure for your listing. 

Step 3: Prepare Your Home for Showings

Before showing off your home to prospective buyers, you must ensure it’s in tip-top shape. Several factors play a part in this preparation process. Not only should your home be up-to-date with its repairs, but it should also be cleaned and staged to create an excellent first impression. Regarding home improvements, minor repairs like touching up paint and patching holes in the wall are easy DIY fixes. However, if your home requires more significant improvements like HVAC servicing, pest control, or roof inspection, it’s essential to take care of those with professional attention.

Once you’ve made your necessary repairs and upgrades, it’s time to start cleaning and staging your home. Before showing it to buyers, you should rid your home of clutter or personal items. Then, spruce up your home’s interior design. From crisp white towels in the restrooms to flourishing plants by the window sills, it’s best to make your home feel welcoming and relaxed to maximize your appeal to buyers. 

Step 4: Hold Showings

Once your staging is in order, it’s time to let the buyers see your listing! Whether you’re showing your home in person, virtually, or both, there are many ways you can assist your agent in the showing process. Before your realtor shows your home, ensure everything is clean and in order. If you have a household pet, make arrangements for them while your house is shown. You will also have to be prepared to leave your home on short notice if buyers are ready to tour your listing. 

Step 5: Receive and Negotiate Offers

You’ll likely start receiving offers once you have completed all the steps up until this point. However, negotiating and accepting an offer can go in several different directions. The buyer could offer you exactly what you’ve asked for, or they might offer something different. As a seller, it’s up to you to accept, decline, or make a counteroffer. 

During the negotiation process, your Mark Spain Real Estate agent will help you come to a decision. As offers come in, your instinct might be to accept the highest one. However, your agent will advise you to consider other variables such as: does the buyer have a trusted lender pre-approving their loan? Is the buyer paying in cash? Does their purchase depend on the sale of the current home? Before signing on the dotted line, consider all potential contingencies affecting your offer. 

Step 6: Complete the Closing Process

If you’ve accepted an offer and are ready to close, you’re in the home stretch of selling a house! Before officially closing on your home, you must complete a series of steps to ensure your house is ready for its next tenants. These steps include a home inspection of your house’s physical structure and systems, a title search to verify your ownership of the property, a property survey, a final buyer walk-through of the home, and a final disclosure to the buyer of anything that may interfere with their purchase.

Once you’ve adequately prepared your home, it’s time to close! While closing, the buyer exchanges financing documents and title insurance policies, finalizes their payments, gains ownership titles, and receives the keys to the home. You may not be required to attend the final closing meeting if you’ve arranged to digitally sign the documents with your realtor. In this case, you can move out of your home before closing and start the next chapter of your life!  

Selling a House with Mark Spain Real Estate

Are you interested in selling a house fast? The industry professionals at Mark Spain Real Estate are here to help you navigate the home-selling process. With decades of industry experience, our team of expert listing consultants will expedite your sale and ensure it’s stress-free! Check out our Guaranteed Offer Program for the potential to receive a competitive cash offer on your home in only 21 days. Contact our agents today!

Mark Spain Real Estate is here to help you sell your home fast. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn to stay up to date with Mark Spain Real Estate!