A home sale can be a very unpredictable event. One minute your real estate agent is sure the potential buyers, who already did a 3rd walk-through of your home, will make an offer today, but the next minute you find out that they made an offer on a home just around the corner. So what went wrong? In your eyes, your home is perfect!
Aside from financing issues or a buyer’s sudden loss of employment, there seem to be thousands of different reasons why a house sale falls through. But here’s the good news, we have a few tips on how to prevent your home sale from falling through.
Get a Pre-listing Inspection
If you’re a buyer, before you close on a home you always want to get it inspected. But what about if you’re a seller? One way to stay a few steps ahead as a seller is to have a pre-listing inspection. Many sellers are unaware that this option exists, but it is a great way to uncover what is wrong with the home before it goes on the market. A pre-listing inspection can speed up the sales process and determine if there are any major problems that could cause your home sale to fall through.
Know your HOA Rules
While not extremely common, some HOAs have certain steps you must follow before you put your home on the market. For example, some HOAs require that they inspect the property prior to sale, and based on their inspection, they can require certain things to be fixed (which could be costly and time-consuming). So in order to save time in the long run, check out your HOA’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions to be sure you’re doing everything by the book.
Be Open to Negotiation
Always be open to negotiation! Don’t let your emotions, or pride, get in the way of a solid offer. Let your real estate agent guide you in the right direction when it comes to negotiating and compromising. That way you’ll limit stubborn debates that could cost you the sale of your home.
Give your Neighbors a Heads Up
Sure, placing a For Sale sign in your yard should make it obvious to your neighbors that you’re wanting to sell your home. But don’t expect them to be on their best behavior when potential buyers come around just based on the fact that they’ve seen the sign. Let your neighbors know about your plans to sell and you’d love for them to be as respectful as possible when they see people touring the home.
Cesi Pagano
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