What to Know Before Selling a Sarasota Home

The city of Sarasota is one of the most charming, laid-back places to live in Florida, especially for people looking to relax and unwind. Recently voted as the number one city to retire in the United States, the city has seen its real estate market embark on a steady rise. There are plenty of buyers in the market, but not enough homes for sale in Sarasota, meaning that properties are more likely to sell for higher. If you’re looking to sell your property, now is a perfect time.

Selling your home can be a challenging process, but it doesn’t have to be. Below is a list of eight important things to keep in mind before you sell your Sarasota home.

1. Research the local market trends

Knowing and understanding the local market is crucial because you want to know when is the best time to put up a property listing for sale. Right now, Sarasota is a seller’s market, meaning that homes are more likely to sell for higher prices, and at faster rates. Home buyers are in competition with one another to secure a Sarasota home, making them more likely to submit higher offers in an attempt to outbid other buyers. A seller’s market is the perfect opportunity to turn a higher profit on a property.

Market trends also tell you how long, on average, it takes for houses to sell, as well as the median price of properties by type. The more you understand the market, the better you’ll be able to time and market your listing.

2. Hire an experienced real estate agent

An experienced, top-rated real estate agent can help you throughout the entire selling process. Not only are they already familiar and up-to-date with Sarasota real estate market trends, they are also skilled negotiators who know how to set your property up for success. Agents also know what buyers tend to look for according to recent trends, and have the marketing skills you need to advertise and promote your listing. A good real estate agent will always have your best interests in mind and are readily available to answer your questions.

3. Set up a selling timeline

The selling process can take up to several months, if not more, making it essential for you to organize a general timeline. Here is what a typical selling timeline looks like in most cases:

Hire a reliable and experienced real estate agent.
Determine the value of your home and prepare the necessary paperwork.
Schedule a home inspection to identify possible issues.
Repair, update, and/or renovate if needed.
Clean, depersonalize, and stage your home.
Hire a professional photographer.

Put up the listing.

Advertise and generate exposure.
Evaluate offers and conduct negotiations.
Close on an offer.

You can determine how much time you prefer to spend on each individual stage, but keep in mind that the actual timeframes may vary. While some houses sell in as little as 30 days, others can take several months.

4. Schedule a home inspection

If you schedule a home inspection before you put up your listing, you’ll be able to identify any issues that need to be addressed, such as repairs, updates, or other infrastructural and mechanical concerns. You want your home to be as perfect as possible, not only because it’ll look better to buyers, but also because it’ll grant them a sense of peace to know the property is kept in good condition. Having a home inspection statement also assures buyers that you are an open and responsible seller.

5. Declutter and depersonalize

Selling your house means you have to prepare it for a potential new family. Declutter and depersonalize the space by removing personal photos, painting the walls a neutral color, and hiding any personal items and artifacts that make the house appear like it’s already being lived in. You want buyers to imagine themselves in your home.

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that you don’t want your home to look lifeless and bland. Neutral decor like plants, decorative pillows, and lamps can make a home appear cozy and welcoming to all potential buyers.

6. Repair as needed

Getting a home inspection makes it easier to determine what needs to be repaired. However, little things like creaky doors, scuffs on the walls, and other minor issues will not show up on the inspection, but they do need to be addressed as even the most minor of imperfections can turn off buyers. Walk through your home with your agent and make a checklist of items that need to be repaired and bring in a good handyman who can get everything done prior to listing.

7. Appearance is everything

As previously mentioned, the appearance of your home ultimately determines how much attention it receives and how much buyers are willing to pay for it. Once everything is repaired, depersonalized, and cleaned, the next step is to hire a professional stager. A stager curates the furnishings and space of a home to make it more attractive and appealing to buyers. They’re a worthwhile investment that can increase the likelihood of your listing selling faster and for a higher value.

Another helpful asset is hiring a professional photographer. A photographer knows how to manipulate angles and lighting to take the best, most flattering photos of your home. When buyers are browsing listings, the first thing they’ll see is a picture of your home. First impressions are everything, so make sure you do your research and hire a top-rated photographer.

8. Generate exposure for your listing

Marketing your listing is key to reaching out to a broad audience, especially if you want to receive multiple offers. Your real estate agent will help you generate exposure for your listing by advertising it on social media, posting it on different real estate websites, and networking with their connections. They have the marketing skills necessary to generate the maximum amount of exposure for your property.

You can also do some advertising of your own by sharing your listing on your social media, and spreading it through word of mouth. The more people know you’re selling your home, the more buyers you’ll attract. You never know when someone in your social media sphere knows someone who is looking for homes for sale in Sarasota.

When it comes to selling your home, your greatest ally will always be your real estate agent. Reach out to top-rated realtors like Judy Limekiller, whose experiences with Sarasota real estate will no doubt prove invaluable to your success. She has consistently placed in the top 5% of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee and is wholly dedicated to providing the best customer service. Reach out to Judy to begin selling your home today!