Much thought and research are put in to ensure a sale goes to worthy buyers when selling a property. At some point, securing permits, finding brokers, and showing a home can take a toll on you. Learning how to handle the stress of selling a house is a must if you want to stay on track and manage your potential buyers without letting all the emotional clutter get in the way. Here are a few ways to help keep you afloat during the tedious process.
How to Handle the Stress of Selling a House
1. Stick to your preference and streamline your choices
It’s easy to presume a real estate agent has all the answers to your queries when selling a house, but they don’t know everything, just like everyone else.
Ensure you communicate your preferences when it comes to streamlining potential home buyers and highlight your non-negotiables, including the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen lighting, type of housing, and desired square footage, among others.
Looking into the neighborhood is also a must if you’re moving with children. Decide which schools are nearby, hospitals, and supermarkets for convenience.
2. Hire the right professional
This is usually the first step many home sellers do when figuring out how to handle the stress of selling a house. Real estate agents or property experts can help streamline your options and provide a checklist of what you need, such as:
- A timeline of your target sales date.
- Potential purchasers who would fit your prospective buyer profile.
However, it’s important to connect well with your real estate broker or agent. They will be your right hand in finding the next people who will live in a place you once called your home.
Once you can establish a synergized working relationship, you can settle on a competitive list price and work on the repair and remodeling phase before a showing. Most of all, this will help you market your property online and offline without worrying about false and unverified information.
3. Be open and flexible as much as possible
When selling a house, flexibility and openness are necessary to make negotiations with possible buyers less strenuous. This is a common struggle between homeowners looking to sell yet refuse to consider the buyers’ concerns, which the real estate agent can’t often solve. It’s best to meet halfway and ensure both your needs as a seller and your needs as a buyer are compromised.
4. Pre-approve your mortgage loan
Securing a mortgage loan is the first significant stressor when selling or buying property. Seek pre-approvals before it’s too late since qualifying for a home loan can be challenging, especially if you have lapses in your bank records.
Ensure your credit score and income are in check before making any offers. Checking this off your to-do list is an excellent way to smoothen your standing with eager buyers.
5. Save cash
Purchasing a home is one of the most significant investments anyone is going to make in a lifetime. Having enough cash saved will help with paying your downpayment with no fuss. The average rate of down payments made ranges from 3% to 5% and usually varies depending on the loan the property requires.
Credit check fees, mortgage applications, cash deposits, appraisal fees, and home inspections follow before you even work on repairs and remodels. Thus, having ready cash to make these payments for a smoother transition and to stay on track with a schedule is a must.
6. Read up and make calls
If it’s your first time purchasing a new house, doing the research and reading up on the necessary steps and requirements it takes to sell your old house is a must. This will save you the constant stress and anxiety from guessing the cost of selling a home.
Read up on the real estate market and the trends that continue to change because it will also help you find the right time to dip your foot in the market.
If you know some folks who are selling homes or people in the neighborhood you wish to move into, reach out and make calls. They might provide valuable insight into the community and market value of their home and its surrounding properties. Not to mention, doing this could help ease your mind from all the worrying.
7. Create a system for home showing
It’s highly recommended you create a system for your visitors to establish a more organized way to showcase your home to potential buyers without adding damage to the renovations in your home. This is even more necessary if you’re living in the house during the staging period.
Setting up a process or a schedule is an excellent approach to handling the stress of selling a house. Some suggestions include preparing a “re-set box,” which you can easily access after every show. This kit will have an assortment of cleaning wipes, alcohol, and room sprays to clean up and liven up space if the visitors left any clutter.
8. Have a contingency plan
If Plan A doesn’t work, Plan B and C are always good to have. Develop a contingency plan to prepare for the worst-case scenario. This will help you adapt to specific problems you have already addressed with a strategic solution.
A contingency plan will also require financial planning and relocation, so best to approach your local banker and real estate broker to get proper guidance and ensure you still find a way to make a good sale.
Conclusion
Staying focused and goal-oriented is the secret to keeping things on track when selling a house. Don’t forget to incorporate proper planning and approach the right people for sound professional advice.
There is no one sure-fire way to handle the stress of selling a house. Keep in mind that the right sale is right around the corner; it’s all about managing your time, resources and maintaining self-care in the process.