Thinking of selling a home in the Manhattan area? First and foremost, you've got to take some time to prepare! A knowledgeable seller is able to make smart and informed decisions every step of the way. If you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, you've got to understand the selling process, so we've broken down the steps for you.
Still have questions about preparing or selling a home in Manhattan or ready to get started? Contact us at any time!
Steps to Selling a Home in Manhattan
Find an experienced local agent
If there's one step you shouldn't skip, it's this one. Finding a skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced local agent is critical to ensuring your sale goes off without a hitch. Your agent can walk you through the selling process and aid you in making important financial decisions every step along the way.
Consider repairs or improvements
How does your home look and function? If you know of any pesky or lingering maintenance problems, now's the time to fix them—before they can cost you a sale when they surface in a home inspection!
If your home is older or has outdated features, you might also want to consider making some minor improvements. A good agent will be able to help you determine which updates are worth the expense, and which are not.
Price it right
Pricing your home is another crucial step in the home selling process—second only to finding a good agent, since your agent will be able to help immensely with this step. Your agent will work with you to compare prices of similar homes in the area and determine a competitive listing price for your home.
Stage your home
Whether or not you've made repairs or updates to your home, you'll likely want to consider doing a little staging. Start first with a good deep cleaning, followed by some decluttering. You will also want to trade some of your more bright, bold, or personal decor for neutral colors and patterns, too. Need more tips? Ask an agent!
Market your home
Selling a home for top dollar is all about getting it seen by the right buyers. As a home seller, you might not know how to go about doing this—but you can bet a good local agent will be well-versed in the art of real estate marketing! A good agent will know how to get a home seen by a huge audience of appropriate buyers.
Show your home
When an interested buyer wants to see your home, it's important to allow for a little flexibility. If you make it too difficult for a buyer to tour your home, they may decide not to. You'll also want to keep your home clean and staged to prepare for showings, and be ready to make yourself scarce while buyers are actually in your home.
Negotiate and accept an offer
When a buyer makes an offer, it's important to sit down and review it in detail with your agent to determine if it really is the best offer for you. Keep in mind, price isn't everything! Should the offer be appealing, you may accept it as-is, or issue a counteroffer with modified terms, contingencies, dates, or price.
Cooperate with inspections
Once you and the buyer agree on terms, the buyer will likely have a home inspection. During this time, any potential issues with your home will be brought to light, and the buyer will have the option to ask for a price reduction, credits towards the sale, or repairs. Should you refuse, they may cancel the whole agreement—which is why it's especially important to take care of those repairs well beforehand!
Enter escrow
During this time, your buyer will be finalizing their mortgage, and your agent, attorney, and lender will likely be working together to finalize your end of the paperwork. For you, this might involve signing and submitting various documents. The buyer's lender may also request a home appraisal during this time.
Sign, pay & close!
On a predetermined date, you and your representatives will sit down with the buyer and their representatives to sign all the final documents that will transfer the title from you to the buyer. At last, the transaction is complete and you hand over your keys, ready to start on your next adventure.
Selling Your Manhattan Home?
Selling a home in Manhattan? Let us help! We at BRP Associates know the Manhattan area—and its very unique real estate market—like no others! Our in-depth knowledge and extensive experience can ensure you get the price you want in the time frame you need!