How to sell a home in Raleigh, NC
Deciding to sell your home is a big decision, and getting the ball rolling can feel like a daunting task. The typical
home dweller lives in their home for an average of 13 years before they decide to sell, so whether it’s the first home
you’ve sold or not, a home can hold a lot of memories and emotions.
Whatever your reason is for selling, it’s essential to be prepared for the selling process. To simplify it for you,
we’ve compiled a list of steps in the home selling process to give you an idea of what lies ahead!
Are you ready to speak with the experts and get your home listed? Connect with us today at Acorns Real Estate Company.
Find an agent to represent you
Selling a home requires a lot of prep work, diligence, and complex transactions – so to make this process easier on
yourself, finding a top-notch agent to sell your home is essential. The right agent will know the area your home is
located in, what buyers are looking for, and be able to provide support and guidance every step of the way.
When hiring an agent,
ask questions to ensure they are the right fit for you.
Decide when to sell
Understanding your local market can help you identify the best time of year to sell. Fortunately, in North Carolina and
Raleigh specifically, the market is booming year-round. While historically, June tends to be the high-yielding month for
home sales, talking to your agent about a timeline is an essential step.
There may be life obligations you need to work around, like your child’s school year or the start dates of a new job –
whatever the reason, deciding on the suitable date can make the process less stressful and maximize profit and minimize
time spent on the market. If you need help deciphering when the optimal month to sell your home is, your agent will be
able to assist.
Work on improvements
Like you fell in love with your home when you decided to buy it, you want the same for potential buyers. First
impressions are everything when showing your home, so working on improvements is an integral part of the process. Your
agent can provide feedback after an initial walkthrough on areas you can improve or fix before hitting the market – you
may also have a few projects you never got around to finishing that you need to check off your list!
Home improvements aren’t to be confused with staging and decluttering. While both are important, fixing things like
leaky faucets, patching holes in the wall, or replacing the broken floor tiles are all things that should be home well
before the final staging touches for your home. This is the chance for you to add those luxe touches, like new spa
showerheads, updated countertops, and fresh landscaping.
If your home is in more severe disrepair and you want to prepare for the inevitable buyer’s inspection, you can opt to
pre-inspect your home. This will allow you to prepare for what buyers may find and even provide an opportunity to fix
things ahead of time.
Alternatively, if you want a quicker sale process, there is always the option to sell your home As-Is, which would limit
your up-front out-of-pocket costs.
finalize pricing
Your agent should finalize pricing with you and present a pricing strategy at this stage in the process. It’s important
to remember that much market research and comparable analysis go into the final number when landing on a price for your
home.
Pricing your home accurately and competitively is extremely important. If you price too high and have to reduce the
number, this can slow momentum and be a red flag to potential buyers. The longer your home sits on the market, your
chances of getting that high offer lessen significantly. So, though you may feel your home is worth a certain amount
because you have an emotional attachment, trusting your agent’s expertise is always encouraged.
Prep and stage house
Before potential buyers see your home or walk through your front door, you want to put your home’s best foot forward!
This means decluttering and cleaning! It’s recommended that by the time your home hits the market, it’s occupied by 50%
less of your initial belongings. That may seem like a significant reduction, but buyers can see your home’s full
potential – and picture themselves in the space by decluttering. It will also make it easier for you when you are tasked
with moving out.
Staging can be as simple as cleaning, decluttering, and depersonalizing the home or be more involved. Larger homes or
homes that are vacant can benefit from professional staging help.
North Carolina Tip: With the moderate temperatures in Raleigh, showcasing outdoor space is a great selling point. Make
sure to spend a little time sprucing up your patio or yard to attract buyers!
Market effectively
When it comes to marketing your home, your agent will be able to take the ropes. In a hot market like Raleigh, NC,
aggressive marketing is not always necessary, but showcasing your home in its best light is. This includes professional
photography! The majority of buyers and agents will be viewing your home online first (or maybe only!), so having
high-quality professional photos that showcase your home to its fullest potential is crucial.
While the agent or their team writes up the listing description, it’s important you review it to ensure it’s
highlighting your property’s most desirable features and area’s amenities. Think about what attracted you to buy the
home in the first place – chances are this will draw others in too!
Last but not least, be flexible with showings. You want to be willing and able to accommodate as many showings as
possible. That may mean living minimally for a few weeks, so you’re ready on the fly to vacate your house for showings.
As inconvenient as that can feel, the truth is that the more people you let in, the higher your chances are of getting
that golden offer you’re after!
Screen offers and negotiations
Just like you want to sell your home for a reasonable price, buyers are looking for the same. Fielding offers can feel
overwhelming, especially if you have multiple on the table, but your agent will be able to talk you through the ins and
outs of the deals and help you come to the right choice for yourself.
Tip: Before you get to this step, you must decide what you’re willing to bargain with. Does the buyer want to keep all
the appliances or even a repair credit? Make sure you give yourself time beforehand to think about these possible
situations.
It’s worth noting that in North Carolina, once an agreement is reached between the buyer and yourself, you then enter
into the due diligence period. It typically lasts from 14 to 30 days once the contract is signed. During this time and
before closing, the inspection and appraisal occur on the buyer’s end.
Move out
Whether you are moving across town or states away, moving is timely and costly. If you need to hire movers, rent
equipment, or even line up temporary housing, it’s best to do it months in advance. You have to move out of your house
by the closing date, so make sure to have things lined up and ready to go in anticipation – especially if the buyer asks
for a quick close.
Closing and disclosures
You’re at the final step – and the one with all the paperwork! As the seller, you’re responsible for legal documents and
processes. However, with some guidance from your agent, the closing can be smooth and painless.
Before closing and signing over the property deed, you will need to meet any obligations made to the buyer, such as
repairs or inspections. You should also note that in North Carolina, sellers and buyers must work with attorneys when
transferring ownership of a home (closing).
A few costs are associated with closing as a seller, such as buyer and seller agent commission, taxes, and preparation
fees. But if you’re profiting on your home sale, these costs will come directly out of the net profit. What is left will
be transferred to you during the closing; after that, you will be able to close out your remaining mortgage.
The last step is to hand over the keys!
Are you looking to list your home now, or even in 12 months? It’s never too early to contact an agent, learn about the
process and make a plan!
