Maybe you or your spouse just took a new job out of state and you have to relocate your family. Selling your home while moving at the same time can feel overwhelming, especially in addition to changing jobs, schools, etc. You may be wondering what you need to do to get your house ready to go up on the market. Fear not, these tips will provide you with some clarity on the next steps forward during this transitional stage.
As soon as you have decided to relocate, get a real estate agent involved. That way you can get their advice and make a plan for the next steps. There will be a lot of details to coordinate so it helps to get a jump on things.
If there are any issues with the house that you already know might be an issue to potential buyers, consider getting those fixed before relocating. Also, consult your real estate agent about what they think should be done to the house prior to listing. Some minor cosmetic changes, such as paint and lighting, can really impact how buyers view your home once it is up on the market. Some home sellers opt for getting a home inspection prior to listing their home. That way you can present any problems up front and show that you have already addressed them. This can be discussed with your real estate agent in further detail if you want to make sure that any pre-listing repairs will be a worthwhile investment. Ultimately, it is up to you how much you want to or are able to contribute to any repairs and/or updates.
Has it been a while since you bought your home? Hopefully you kept your deed and survey in a safe location, but if not now is the time to track those down. You should have received them at your closing when you bought your house. Typically the county office should keep them on record and you can access and print those documents for a small fee. Otherwise, you could try reaching out to the attorney you used to buy your house (if they are still practicing).
Consult a local real estate attorney for more information on exactly what documents you need and if there is anything they need to be aware of (i.e. name change since purchase). It is also a good idea to get your upcoming home sale on the attorney of your choice’s radar. Let them know you will be moving out of the area in case there is any concern with signing documents electronically. Once you have located any important documents, place them in a secure location or in someone’s trusted care. Take scans of them as well for sending to your attorney.
It would be ideal to get all (or most) of your personal belongings out of the home before listing. It may be better to find a rental in your new location rather than trying to buy a new house at the same time. Discuss what would work best for you and your family. If you do decide to purchase a home in the new location, ask your listing agent if they can provide you with a referral for a buyer’s agent in the area. Find a storage unit if needed for temporarily storing any furniture until you are in your permanent residence.
It is easier to show the home when it is vacant. A lot of buyers prefer seeing a home when it is depersonalized so they can really picture themselves there.
If your house will be vacant, staging can present your home better to potential buyers. Whenever I have shown a listing to a buyer that has been staged well, they are always impressed with the perceived value for the listed price. Staging can make even a starter home come off as higher-end. It can provide a warmth and coziness, encouraging more buyers to submit an offer that might not have if the home was vacant. Staged homes will typically sell faster and for more money than unstaged homes.
Especially when you have already relocated, you’ll want your home to sell as quickly as possible. The first few days your house is on the market are crucial for getting as much interest as possible. Pricing your property competitively will ensure that you are attracting the right buyers and in turn maximizing your profit.
Marketing tools such as a video walkthrough or a virtual tour allow more buyers to view your property in a shorter period of time. I will typically film a video walkthrough as part of our base fee (example video below). This gives buyers a better understanding of the property beyond pictures and essentially prescreens buyers so that only people that are really interested will schedule a showing. That way you will have a qualified offer received in a shorter period of time.
Virtual or 360 degree tours and floor plans can also be really helpful for buyers to understand how the rooms within the house connect to each other. It also allows them to explore the property more in detail (i.e. check out where all of the closets are). Virtual tours require a special camera to create so that is a service that would need to be hired out. The floor plans can be added on a la carte to our base brokerage fee if that is something you are interested in.
Especially if you are not able to move out prior to listing your home it is important to allow as many showings as you can. The more flexible you can be with timing for showings, the more buyers will be able to view the property. In a hot market, a property will typically only need to show for a week or two maximum so just understand that it’s not that long you have to rearrange your schedule for.
Before you relocate, arrange for someone to come check on the place occasionally. Depending on the time of year you are selling, there could be snow and ice that needs to be removed every so often so it doesn’t build up. If anyone were to slip at a showing, you could be liable for negligence. Remember you are still the owner of the property until the new buyer has closed. Anything that breaks or goes wrong would be your responsibility. It’s also a good idea to keep up on lawn maintenance for curb appeal and so that you don’t get fined by any local ordinances for letting it go too long.
Regardless of the time of the year, a freak thing could come up. Especially if there will be extreme weather, make sure you have someone you trust to check for any emergency flooding, leaks, etc. It would be a better experience for showings if you can leave your utilities on. The buyer will also need to check that all utilities are working at the final walkthrough prior to closing.
Theft could be another concern with having the property vacant. If you don’t already have a security system and/or cameras in place, consider installing either one to better protect your property after you have moved. They can be removed from the property before closing if you wish as long as that has been disclosed to the buyer and agreed upon in the purchase contract.
Disclaimer: Real estate laws vary by state. Consult with a local real estate attorney for specific practices in your area.
If you found these tips helpful for your upcoming relocation while selling your current home, you might also be interested in my guide “6 Mistakes for Home Sellers to Avoid and Expert Tips to Follow For a Successful Sale.”
I’d love to help! When working with a seller, I go the extra mile to ensure that they are well cared for and have a great home selling experience. You deserve to have someone like that by your side throughout the entire process.
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