Buying a house is hard. Selling a house, that’s got to be easier. Or so you’d think. In reality, it can be a fairly complicated process with lots to keep track of. You might think you know what you’re getting yourself into, but there are a few big things that no one ever prepares you for.’
It Takes Money to Make Money
Selling a home may be hard, it may be time-consuming, and it may be stressful, but at least you’re the one making money in the deal. Right?
Well, yes and no. The truth is that selling a house requires you to spend money, too, mainly in the form of closing costs: realtor commissions, attorney fees, inspections and appraisals, transfer taxes, etc. Consulting a seller closing costs calculator online can help put things in perspective.
You’re a Slave to the Market
The real estate market is a finicky, unpredictable beast. One minute it’s a seller’s market and buyers are beating a path to your door. The next minute the coin flips and you find yourself cutting your list price to ribbons just to make a sale.
Paying close attention to the real estate market, both locally and on the national level, can help you know when is and isn’t the right time to sell. Still, even then, things can change without warning.
There’s a Lot of Paperwork
How organized are you? The way you answer that question plays a big role in how smoothly the house-selling process is likely to go for you. If your files aren’t in order, you’re going to have a bad time.
Selling a house requires a lot of paper, and I do mean a lot. Here are just a few of the documents it helps to have on hand: the deed, any and all insurance policies, construction permits, elevation certificates, receipts for any and all repairs, remodels, or renovations, loan documents, property and tax bills, and more.
Saying Goodbye is Never Easy
A house is just a house, until it becomes something more. It might seem silly to get sentimental over four walls and a roof, but no matter what your relationship with your home is like, when it comes time to say goodbye, you might find it a lot harder than you ever expected.
That’s because even problematic properties have good memories attached to them, not to mention a comforting sense of familiarity. You may be excited to finally make a sale, but closing the door that one final time can be surprisingly sad.