What A Real Estate Agent Can Help You With Before You Even List Your Home
Are you considering putting your home on the market, but not quite ready to take the plunge just yet? It's not a bad idea to get in touch with a real estate agent at this stage. You don't need them to photograph your home or list it just yet, but there are still a lot of things they can help you with as you prepare to sell within the next year or so.
Decide on and Arrange for Renovations
Sometimes, there are changes worth making to a home before you put it on the market. For example, your real estate agent may tell you that your home will be worth $20,000 more if you were to simply fence in the backyard and make some changes to the bathroom. When you touch base with a real estate agent months before you really plan to sell, they can help you decide what upgrades and renovations are most needed. This way, you have time to plan and budget for those renovations so you're not stuck making them in the final weeks before listing your home for sale. Consulting a real estate agent about this also helps ensure you don't make renovations that end up costing you more than they are worth.
Set a Budget for Your Next Home
You may be almost ready to move out of this home, but what kind of home are you ready to move into? A real estate agent can help you determine how much you're likely to get for your current home. They can then use this information to determine how much you can afford to spend on your next home. Having a budget in mind can help you decide what neighborhood you may want to live in, how large of a home you may want, and so forth.
Time Your Listing
Another advantage to consulting a real estate agent early on is the ability to time your listing. For example, if you tell your real estate agent you are thinking of selling in the next year, they can tell you what month is the best time to list the home. For instance, they might tell you to wait if homes sell for more in a specific season in your region.
It's never too early to get in touch with a real estate agent. If you are thinking of selling, talk to an agent sooner rather than later. For more information, contact a local real estate office, like BHHS Towne Realty.