The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost every aspect of our lives in many different ways—from how we socialize to how we work and travel. Similarly, it has also significantly impacted how we buy and sell homes. Due to the various health protocols laid out by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), selling your house won’t be business as usual in 2021.
While 2020 was a year you may have had to put off your goal of selling your homebuyers came out in full force for the real estate market, that it is still going strong. Whether you are planning to list in the spring or have a longer timeline, here are some resolutions you can make to plan your home sale in 2021 successfully.
1. Analyze Your Home’s Condition
Whether it is an ivory rug that was once white, that persistent creaky stair you have been avoiding for years, the popcorn ceiling that looks too old, or the cracks in the foundation that you aren’t sure about, there are a whole lot of small but big issues that contribute to your home’s overall appearance.
A fresh pair of eyes will help open yours to see these things you might not consider as huge issues. Ask a friend to join you on a walk-through of your house, room-by-room, to help you find anything that needs a repair, replacement, or a refreshed look.
To get a detailed and more accurate idea about the condition of your home, especially if you have been living in it for a long time, conduct a pre-listing inspection. Much like the buyer’s inspection that comes up later in the home selling process, a pre-listing inspection will give you a clear picture of the potential issues that need to be addressed before your house goes onto the market.
2. Clear the Clutter
It is a new year, and it’s time to be out with the old so you can get on with the new. January is often that month of the year when people get inspired to do massive clean-ups and take up big de-cluttering projects.
However, a sell-your-home de-cluttering goes far beyond the normal de-cluttering that typically involves getting rid of old clothes and toys. The fewer items in your home, the neater, better, and even more spacious it will look to prospective buyers. In fact, this will be one of the most significant selling points in 2021 due to COVID-19.
Thus, before getting ready for home tours, be sure to get rid of all the clutter in your house, especially your hallways, bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, and yards.
In case you are overwhelmed, just thinking about it, you could seek professional help from an organizer to best organize your space before attempting to sell your home. Consider watching tutorials on YouTube to guide your decision-making process.
3. Get A Clear Idea of Your Finances
Generally, it is thought that selling a home doesn’t come with associated costs, except the commission you will pay your agent once your home sells.
But that’s quite not the case. Selling a home comes with other expenses attached—you will often have to put together a budget for improvements and repairs. Additional financial considerations include buying your next home.
Find some time to go through your balances and current expenses and create a budget for your sale. Consider analyzing your emergency fund in case you will need to look for a rental if your home sells fast. Also, check your credit score.
4. Go Virtual
When selling your home, staging and home tours are two vital parts of the process. With all the social distancing rules, conducting physical open houses won’t be quite possible even in 2021. Even if they are permitted in your neighborhood, buyers might still be hesitant to attend them next year.
In such a scenario leveraging a 3D virtual tour tool will allow you to offer a realistic experience of the house to prospective buyers, making them feel like they are walking around the property. Alternatively, you can also use streaming services like Facebook Live or YouTube to help interested buyers take a virtual tour of your house while asking queries in real-time.
Similarly, you can also conduct the staging online, giving potential buyers a chance to visualize their life in your home. If you are not sure how virtual home staging works, consider hiring a virtual staging service provider.
5. Find the Right Real Estate Agent
When it comes to selling your home successfully, you should look to work with a competent real estate agent that you can trust.
With most real estate agents adapting to the current situation, having an agent by your side will help you sell your house with ease during COVID-19.
Furthermore, a licensed agent will also help you bag an MLS property listing, which will give your property greater exposure to numerous potential buyers.
Additionally, a good agent will perform comparative market analysis (CMA), enabling you to negotiate the best deal, navigate counteroffers, and find your way through the closing process.
When hiring a real estate agent, consider their experience and attitude. Rather than settling for the first agent you find, interview multiple agents to see what benefits each agent can bring to the table.
Make sure you ask if they work predominantly with buyers or sellers, analyze their track record of sales in your local market, and learn about the strategies they will employ to sell your home.
Final Thoughts
Various studies and surveys prove that 2021 will likely be a seller’s market on the national level. Meaning this New Year would make a great time to sell your home and score a good return on investment.
If you are wondering how to sell your house in 2021, the above-given resolutions will improve your chances of landing multiple offers and avoiding costly mistakes.
Have Questions? Ask Kami!
Give Kami Gerald a call to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale.
