A clear timeline for selling your home can make all the difference between staying organized and staying on a schedule through often stressful processes. From the decision to sell to the closing date, Redfin covers you every step of the way.
Whether you’re moving to a rental house in Tucson, shrinking it to an apartment in Salt Lake City, or realizing your dream of buying a home in San Diego, the sales process looks different to everyone. This timeline for selling your home breaks down the process step by step so you know what to expect.
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What’s going to happen now?
Sales Timeline FAQ
1. Decide if this is the best time to sell your home
The first step in selling your home is to decide whether you should sell your home now. This can be a very personal decision, but it is important to consider the following to research to help you make the right choice:
Personal Finance: Collect information about your loan payments and mortgages to see what you still owe to your home and calculate what profits are equal from the sale. We evaluate your budget to cover closing costs, taxes, committees and other sales charges. Housing Market: Research the current state of the housing market and see how similar homes in your area are being sold to help you get a sense of pricing and demand. Market Type: Determine whether it is a buyer’s market or a seller. In the buyer’s market, homes may be slow to sell and require price flexibility. In the seller’s market, the house is sold quickly and often receives multiple offers. Understanding this can help you set realistic expectations.
2. Hire a listing agent
You can sell your home without an agent, but the home selling process is a lot of work without a professional. Real estate agents are important helpers for both buyers and sellers. Seller’s agent, or listing agents, are particularly useful for major home-wide tasks where you sell your schedule, such as determining listing prices or negotiating offers.
It is best to hire an agent about two months before you are ready to list your home. Make sure to take the time to interview some agents, as choosing the right agent can make the entire sales process smoother and less stressful.
>>Read more: What do real estate agents do?
3. Set the selling price
Before you get a professional home rating, you can use a home value calculator to estimate the value of your home. Agents can help you set competitive prices based on this estimate and current market trends.
Be prepared to compromise on the ideal price in the market reality. If your home is at high prices, you risk losing potential buyers and may ultimately extend your sales timeline.
4. Choose a date to list your home
Timing plays a big role in how quickly your home sells and how much. When deciding on the best time to sell your home, consider the following factors:
Your Personal Schedule Academic Calendar Holiday Time Day
Strategies with agents to compare availability and market trends.
>>Read more: What is the best day to bring your home to the market?
5. Have your home inspected before sale
Schedule a listed home inspection in advance to catch any repairs you need before your home crashes into the market. Addressing the issue before listing your home will prevent surprises during the buyer’s inspection and prevent unexpected delays when there are interested buyers. This also provides transparency regarding the condition of the home and reduces your liability as a seller.
A few modifications are required after the home inspection, but some can be negotiated between the buyer and the seller. Determine if it is worth the time and budget to fix, and if it could affect your home’s value and appeal.
6. Clean and tidy
It’s not just impressing potential buyers. Having your home cleaned and organized will make both the sales and travel processes easier. Remove personal items and excessive clutter and start about a month before the list. This will help buyers imagine themselves in the space and send you a head start in packaging. Hiring professionals to help streamline what can become a boring task for you. Here are some ways to make the process smoother:
Have your home organized professionally: Decide what you have, donate, or discard, start clearing items and present a neutral space for buyers to see. Store your personal belongings in a storage unit: You can rent storage units so that boxes and furniture don’t get in the way while showing your home. Some storage companies offer portable units so you can move directly to your new home when ready. Hire a cleaning company: Make sure every inch of your home smells clean and fresh. A clean home with attractive interiors is one of the easiest ways to stand out from the competition. Stage your home professionally: Professional Stagers will change your space to make you look bigger and brighter. They reposition the furniture, add neutral decorations and provide the final touches that will help your home appeal to potential buyers. Don’t forget to go outside: The first thing in your home is the outside when a potential buyer can make your home. Don’t underestimate the value of landscaping, cleaning exterior windows, or shine on your front door.
7. List your home
Once repairs are made, the inside is clean and staged, and the outside is a perfect painting, it’s time to list your home. However, you’ll want to get professional real estate photos first. You can take photos yourself, but professional photos will help your home sell faster and for more money. It’s also a great way to make your home stand out at the sea of listings. Real estate agents can help you create and sell lists and sell them in front of as many potential buyers as possible.
8. Show me your house
Showing your home through tours and open houses is the climax of your timeline to sell your home. When a potential buyer walks through the house, it’s a chance to imagine himself living there. If they like photography, the offer isn’t too far away. Check out this open house checklist to make sure you have covered all the bases and help you schedule a show for your agents.
9. Confirm and negotiate the offer
Once the offer begins, an agent will present them, advise you about the counter offer and guide you through the negotiation process. It is important to check the full terms and conditions of the offer, not just the offer price, to confirm the best deal.
In some cases, hiring a real estate attorney to prepare and review the final documents and contracts can help you avoid issues where you can hold the sale.
10. I accept the offer
Once you receive an offer to meet your needs, it’s time to accept and begin the closing process. This can take 30-60 days. At that time, the rest of your belongings will be packaged, and the remaining repairs requested by the buyer will be completed, and the final date will be determined.
11. Preparing for the final walkthrough
The final walkthrough gives buyers the opportunity to look at the property and make sure all agreed repairs have been made and no new issues have occurred. At the time of the final walkthrough, your home must be clean and completely empty, except for items that were part of the contract.
12. Close the transaction
Whether a seller must be present at the time of closing depends on the type of sale and local practice, but usually requires several tasks.
Sign the required closing documents. Not all closing documents are for buyers. The Seller signs and receives a document transferring property and ownership. Several documents, such as the act, are duplicated and are signed by the parties. Pay the remaining balance: Unpaid mortgage balance, HOA fees, or closing costs for negotiated seller payments are usually paid at the time of closing. Turn the key: The physical key, the garage door opener, and the code to access the home must be handed over to the new owner.
Timeline for Selling a House: What’s happening now?
Everyone who sells their home is different, especially when balancing changes in the housing market with personal schedules. Nevertheless, the final question remains the same: what happens now?
In most situations, it is ideal to sell your home before you buy a new home. Whether you’re selling and buying at the same time, moving to rental for more flexibility, or looking for an entirely new adventure like Earthship, Redfin is here to help you.
Sales Timeline FAQ
Can I sell my house without an agent?
Yes, you can sell your home without an agent. This is known as “for sale by the owner.” It is possible, but I highly recommend getting the help of a real estate agent. Without one, you will be responsible for everything from the list of homes to negotiating your own offers.
How long does it take to sell a house?
The exact timeline for selling your home will vary depending on many factors. The current housing market, time, location and home values all contribute to the timeline. Proper research and preparation are essential to ensure you are ready in your own way.
Can you speed up the process of selling your home?
Pre-listing inspections, organized paperwork, and ready-to-locate homes all help speed up the home sales process. Get help from real estate professionals to ensure everything is done properly and efficiently, and you can sell your home as quickly as possible.
What should you do after you sell your home?
After the sale is finished and the property is vacant, it’s all about updates. Cancel the utility, renew your insurance, and update your address. Start with essentials like banking, work, subscriptions and more to ensure that your important items are delivered to your new home. If you are moving to a new county, please also renew your voter registration.
What happens if you sell your house before you buy a new one?
Selling your home first will help you make it more clear what you can afford when you start looking for a new home. However, if you cannot find a new home before the agreed eviction date, you may need to look for a temporary home.
