Roadmap to Selling Your Home

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Your home holds all of your family’s memories, but maybe it doesn’t fit your needs any longer. When you’re ready to take the step and sell your home, make sure to set yourself up for success. We’ve put together a roadmap of milestones to help you plan out the selling process from start to finish.

  1. Do your research. Once you’ve decided to sell your home, start your research. The housing market has likely changed since you last purchased a home, so find out about mortgage rates, inventory and other aspects of the market that will impact the selling process.
  2. Choose a REALTOR®. Your most important relationship you’ll have as you sell your home is with your REALTOR®. Take the time to search for one, and interview them, to decide who you want with you on this journey. Use our database to start your search for a Chicago REALTOR®.
  3. Price your home. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do this alone! Work with your REALTOR® to look at the current market and comparable homes to set the right price to get your house sold.
  4. Prepare for the sale. Set up a time for professional pictures, schedule showings and plan open houses will take place. Make sure your home is picture perfect to make a great impression on potential buyers. Clean up, declutter and make repairs to get your home in tip top shape.
  5. Start marketing. Work with your REALTOR® to put together a top tier online listing with perfect pictures and a strong description. Then, create a plan to share the listing to get as many eyes as possible.
  6. Show your home. Your marketing worked, and now potential buyers want to check the home out! Work with your REALTOR® on a schedule for showing, and make sure to incorporate a plan to keep everyone safe, like disinfecting surfaces and hosting virtual tours, if need be.
  7. Look at your offers. Yes, it’s possible to receive more than one offer! Sit down with your REALTOR®, review each one and determine which is best for you.
  8. Time to negotiate. Enter a counteroffer to the buyer’s offer based off of what you want. Of course, money is a factor, but timing may also be another big negotiation. Your REALTOR® will help craft your counteroffer based off all these factors.
  9. Get the home inspected. Once you have agreed on an offer, the buyer will set up a home inspection. Your home will be examined for any issues, and repairs can be negotiated by the buyer. Work with your REALTOR® to come to an agreement with the buyer.
  10. Close the deal. Now, it’s time to make things official. During the closing, you will sign the final paperwork and collect your check!