How To Sell Your Williamsport Home

Selling your Williamsport home is a process that doesn’t need to be stressful, although making the wrong decisions along the way can end up costing you time and money. By following some tried and true processes, you can ensure your home selling process is painless – for you and your bank account. Read through for more information about selling your house efficiently, conveniently, and at the right value.  
 

We sat down with D. Shane Whitteker to discuss the best way to go about selling your home. Whitteker is the owner and chief broker at Williamsport mortgage broker Principle Home Mortgage.  
 

I want to sell my home – what is my first step? 

According to Whitteker, the first step is to take a close look at your financial picture. 

“Typically, the first step in selling your home is to make sure you can afford to buy another home that fits your needs,” Whitteker says.  

The next step is looking for a proficient and experienced Williamsport real estate agent. Using an agent to sell your house is recommended for several reasons. To start with, agents avoid emotional sales – they are trained professionals. Additionally, many agents have access to large networks. 

Additionally, agents help eliminate unqualified buyers, thus making the transaction efficient and convenient. Another advantage of using an agent is that they have excellent price negotiation skills. Lastly, a real estate agent completes the legal steps required to sell a home.  
 

Home sellers make mistakes – what are some to avoid? 

A major mistake is selling the house yourself without using an agent. Another is pricing the home too low or too high. When you price the house too low, you end up missing out on profits, and if you price it too high, you turn away potential buyers, thus wasting time and resources when waiting for buyers. 

Hiding major repairs is another common mistake that sellers make when selling their houses. This delays the transactions when the buyer inspects the home or may even lead them to cancel the deal. Sellers also use listing photos that look bad, a lot of buyers are looking for houses online, and thus, having good photos is essential, and most sellers ignore this fact.  

Whitteker recommends hiring a stager to help present the home in the best light. 

“I think one of the other mistakes commonly made is not staging and presenting your property in the best light to bring in potential buyers and maximize your sales price,” Whitteker says. 

Am I Hiring A Good Realtor? 

To hire a good realtor in Williamsport, you can check their online profiles to learn more about how long they have been in the industry and how many successful sales they have completed. Find out whether they use professional photos to market houses and how and where they market their homes. You can also check online review spots like Google reviews to see what their clients say about them.  

Whitteker recommends finding out how many sales a realtor has done. 

“Look at the number of sales the realtor has had in the last twelve months,” Whitteker says. “Make sure a number of their prior sales were in your neighborhood or area, and look for positive reviews online.” 
 

What Is A Home Sale Timeline? 

A typical timeline should be as follows: 

• 6 to 8 weeks before listing- Research the local market and find a real estate agent 
   
• 4 to 6 weeks before listing- Locate all the required paperwork and make repairs to the house 
   
• 15 to 30 days before listing- Deep clean, declutter the home, and improve curb appeal 
   
• 7 to 14 days before listing- Stage your house for photos 

• Listing day and after- Accept showing requests, plan an open house, and prepare for closing 
   

What Is A Pre-Sale Home Inspection? 

A pre-sale inspection is a supervision process of the house. It is ordered by the homeowner to know the real condition of the house in every aspect, including ventilation, appliances, and electrical and plumbing systems.  

“This is done to indicate issues that may exist with the home to repair ahead of time or to be prepared for requests from potential buyers asking for repairs to be completed,” Whitteker explains. 
 

I’m Going to Be Selling My Home –
What Upgrades And Fixes Should I Make? 

There are a few things that you can upgrade before you sell your house to increase its value. To start with is the kitchen. Installing new countertops, painting cabinets, and putting energy-efficient stainless steel appliances are just a few of the improvements you can make in the kitchen that will help sell your home. Remodeling the bathroom is also a wise investment. Buyers will pay more for a house fitted with elegant modern bathrooms. You can also replace the garage door with a modern model. Modern garage doors are built with aluminum, wood composites, and steel.  
 

Do I Need Professional Video And Photography To Sell My Home? 

Yes, professional videos and photos help in selling your home. Most buyers search for homes through online platforms, and professionally captured photos and videos are the best ways to capture their attention and have them inquire more about your house.  
 

Do I Need A Stager? 

A stager is a person whose job is to style and furnish properties for sale to enhance their attractiveness to potential buyers. Yes, you should get a stager for your house’s sale. A stager can help you reach or exceed the asking price of your home.  
 

I Have No Idea How To Price My Home – How Can I Be Sure? 

You can know whether you are selling your house for the right price by checking with a local realtor. 

“A good real estate agent will provide you with comparable sales in your area that will indicate the value of your home,” Whitteker says. “In this market, it’s a good idea to list a bit high and see what type of interest you get.” 

 Realtors will have a good idea of how to price your home – basing it on the neighborhood, size of the home, etc. A real estate agent is the best option when selling your home because they help you evaluate its worth.  
 

What Does The Home Selling Negotiation Process Involve? 

When a buyer makes an offer, it will usually be lower than what you asked for in the listing. If the price is too low, you have two options. You can either reject the offer or you can choose to give the potential buyer a counteroffer. When you make the counteroffer, the buyer will either propose a lower price or accept that price. This is one big area where using a real estate agent will pay off. They know the tricks of negotiating to get you a perfect deal for your house. If you are selling the home on your own, try to avoid getting emotional in the process (not easy!) and stick to the value that you believe your house is worth.  
 

Conclusion 

Selling your Williamsport house for the right value is a challenging task. It involves making upgrades, repairing some of the issues, and taking the shortest time possible. A real estate agent is the best option when selling your house; they will guide you in every process, making the transaction convenient and efficient. 

To learn more about selling and buying your home in Williamsport – or anywhere else in Pennsylvania – contact the Williamsport mortgage experts at Principle Home Mortgage at (570) 980-9359 today.