Buying and selling a home has always been considered one of the most stressful life events we’ll go through but recent surveys show selling your home now ranks alongside bankruptcy, divorce and even the death of a loved one.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the stress to experience when your home is for sale whether it’s the first time you’re selling or you’re a seasoned pro. Packing up a house you’ve called home brings on a lot of emotions. It could be the house you grew up in, your very first home or like so many others, you could be selling due to a divorce or the death of a partner.
There are also concerns with regards to the actual selling. Are the rooms too small? Is the price you’re asking too high? Why hasn’t anyone put in an offer yet? If you’re lucky your house has sold quickly, too quickly even, and you haven’t had a chance to find a new home yet.
There are a few things you can do to reduce the levels of stress when your home is for sale. While fairly simple to implement, they’ll keep you sane and will make the process of selling a home less stressful.
Be Prepared
Before you put that ‘For Sale’ sign up make sure you are as prepared as possible. Use a checklist and work through it systematically, one item at a time. Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork as this will help the process run more smoothly.
Use Professionals
While you might want to sell your home yourself and save on a real estate agent’s commission, it will be a less stressful experience if you use a professional like Team Couch. There are affordable options from home inspectors to appraisers and even transaction coordinators that your agent can help you find. They charge a flat rate and their expertise and knowledge is invaluable.
Organization is Key
If you’re an A-type personality then keeping your home show-ready will be a cinch. However, if you have children and pets it’s not always as easy. It’s a good idea to do a major declutter well before your first showing. Put unused items in storage and try to create a quick tidy-up routine. While it might seem unnecessary, it’s a major cause of stress when you’re selling a home.
Be Realistic
You’ve prepped, cleaned and finally listed your house. A show day has come and gone but no one’s knocking down your door with an offer. For people who expect instant results, this is a one-way ticket to stress city. There are some things out of your control and this is one of them. Stressing and worrying will not speed up a sale.
When it all seems like too much remind yourself of the excellent job you’ve done preparing for this. Take walks, spend time with the family, and remember this is the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Sales might not happen overnight, but it’s just a matter of time before the perfect buyer walks through the door.
If you are ready to sell your home, then give Team Couch a call today!