Plain City is a village in Ohio located along Big Darby Creek, about 25 miles northwest of Columbus. The housing market in Plain City is fairly limited, making it a great place to sell a property due to the fierce competition for houses. If you’re selling a home in Plain City, OH, here is everything you need to know to ensure a swift and profitable sale.
Preparing your house to sell
Determine your home's value
Determining your home’s value before you put it on the market is a crucial step in selling your house. If you price your property too high, then you risk turning away potential buyers. Because of this, you need to accurately determine how much to list your house for sale. You can do this by checking the list price of nearby homes on the market that are comparable to your house.
Interviewing real estate agents
Without a doubt, working with an experienced real estate agent is the best way to ensure you sell your house in a timely manner and for top dollar. You want a seasoned agent that knows the local market like the back of their hand. Interview many realtors to find the best one that meets your needs.
Upgrades to improve your home value
If you’re selling a home in Plain City, OH, then you will probably need to make a few upgrades to your house to improve its value. These upgrades should be minor fixes that are quick and easy to make. Things like fixing leaky faucets or applying a new coat of paint to the walls will always pay off in the end. However, avoid making costly upgrades that are expensive and time-consuming. These major updates rarely lead to a more profitable sale.
Good and bad times to sell
In the world of real estate, timing the market could ultimately benefit you in the end. June and July are the best months of the year to sell a house in Ohio. Typically, the market sees a lull in winter, as buyers are less likely to tackle the market in cold weather, and many are busy with holiday events.
Staging your home and taking photos
When staging your home, start by depersonalizing and decluttering it as much as possible. This means removing all personal photos and memorabilia that remind buyers another family is already living in the house. Additionally, clear all countertops, closets, and floorspace of clutter. When you’re ready to take listing photos of the property, it is always recommended to hire a professional photographer. Your photographer knows the best ways to capture a house and can ensure your listing pictures are attractive and eye-pleasing.
Selling your home
Listing on the MLS
The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is an online database of property listings that real estate agents use to buy and sell houses. The only way to get your home listed in the database is to work with a realtor. The MLS is a very valuable tool that helps broadcast your property listing to a wider range of audiences, which could increase interest in your house and attract more potential buyers.
Open houses and virtual tours
Selling a home in Plain City, OH, will require hosting an open house and a virtual tour. Most buyers want to actually see the property in person before making an offer. During the open house, let your real estate agent handle it and stay out of the way as much as possible. The job of your realtor is to help buyers envision themselves living in the home.
Cash vs. traditional
If you’re lucky enough to receive multiple offers, you may be tempted to simply choose the highest offer; however, that isn’t always the best route. If a seller is offering slightly less money but plans to pay in all cash, then you may want to consider their offer. An all-cash offer is typically better than the traditional way to pay for a house, which is through a mortgage lender. Paying in all cash cuts out the middleman and leads to more money in the seller’s pocket.
Appraisal
An appraisal is a tool in the housing market that helps estimate the correct value of a property based on its location and condition. The appraisal will also take the recent sale of nearby similar homes into consideration. This appraisal estimates your home’s fair market value and helps mortgage lenders determine exactly how much they will lend a buyer to purchase it.
Escrow
Before selling a home in Plain City, OH, you and the buyer will enter escrow, which is a temporary hold on money or property by a third party until all conditions are met. These conditions are outlined in the escrow agreement, and the transfer of ownership cannot occur until the conditions are fulfilled. Escrow is a legal agreement by a third party designed to protect both buyer and seller during the home buying process.
Closing costs
Closing costs in the real estate world are often overlooked and eat away at a seller’s potential profits. However, if you plan for these costs, you can ensure you pocket more money once the sale is finalized. Closing costs could include everything from the cost of home inspections to filing documents or paying various fees.
Frequently asked questions about selling your Plain City home
Can I sell my Plain City home without a realtor?
Although there is no written rule saying you need a realtor to sell a house, working closely with a skilled agent offers numerous benefits. First and foremost, your agent knows the local market, which means they can utilize every tool at their disposal to increase the value of your home and lead to a more profitable sale. Additionally, without the help of a realtor, you may skip crucial steps in the process, ultimately resulting in lost time or more time on the market.
Ready to begin the process of selling a home in Plain City, OH? If so, it’s time to contact an experienced real estate agent such as Erika Fetherolf at The Fetherolf Group today. She would be happy to guide you through the home-selling process.