Have you been waiting to sell your house and are finally ready to pull the trigger in 2025? Looking to start the new quarter century with a big paycheck. Here are some things to help you prepare your mindset and your home to get the most bang for your buck.
2025 Real Estate Market
Current interest rates have had a lot of market power in the last couple of years. While they are higher than previous years, there has been a slight drop in recent months. According to Bankrate, for a 30-year fixed mortgage, the rate is around 6.94%, while for a 15-year fixed mortgage, it is approximately 6.26%.
As a result of these higher interest rates, there have been fewer transactions. However, this is leading to an increase in inventory. We are regularly seeing some beautiful homes and properties listed.
Montana is unique in that even the bigger urban towns are still a long way from the hustle and bustle of a city. We are in a new era of folks looking to put some roots down in the country and get back to the old ways of life.
While it seems like the most in demand properties include a small amount of acreage and are located on the outskirts of town. There are also plenty of gorgeous townhomes in neighborhoods that have the same Montana effect.
Preparing Your Home for Sale
Now that you have decided to sell, here are some steps to move forward. You must prepare your home to list on the market. To attract the best buyer and get the most value out of your home, you want it to look attractive. First, you will want to be clear of all clutter and clean! It is important to stage your home in a way that is open and inviting. Hiring a professional photographer is a great way to capture the beauty in the right light and angles.
You want to be sure that all common repairs have been taken care of, and any necessary upgrades to boost value. The more your home shines, the more a buyer is willing to pay.
Your home’s curb appeal is your first chance to catch the buyer’s attention. Clean and free of clutter is a top priority. A well-manicured lawn with some seasonal flowers or greenery is also a nice touch. Good first impressions can work wonders!
Pricing Your Home Correctly
Listing your home at the right price is crucial to how quickly it will sell. It is important to complete a CMA or comparative market analysis. This will give you a better idea of the value of your home, allowing you to price competitively. Adjusting for current market trends and buyer demand will help you get an accurate price.
Everyone wants to get the most money out of their sale, but listing your property too high can have very negative outcomes. The longer your listing sits on the market without offers the harder it is to find a buyer.
This is where a trusted real estate agent is worth their weight in gold. They have their finger on the pulse of the market and will help you sell at a price that keeps your listing competitive. It is also important to remain flexible and open to adjustments during the process.
Marketing Your Home
In this internet age, marketing is an important aspect of the selling process. Using high-quality photos and virtual tours is an excellent example of using the power of the World Wide Web. Many people do their research on the internet so you want to be sure to be fully optimized in that arena.
Social media is another aspect of the web that has unlimited marketing potential. The room for creativity and your viewer reach is endless. Today, many marketers work solely in social media marketing.
Another great place to market your listing is on sites like Zillow or Redfin. These are becoming a hot spot for people looking to buy. Realtor.com is another site where you can market your listing.
The marketing portion of listing your home is a great reason to hire an agent. Not only do they specialize in this type of marketing but they also know the market very well.
Negotiating Offers
Now that you have spent the time decluttering and sprucing up your home. You have prepared your listing and got it in front of the right people in the market. Next thing you know, you get an offer! Since you nailed the price on the listing you actually get several offers. Now what?
There are other things to consider beyond just price. What contingencies are there? Is there a stable buyer? What are the closing timelines? These are all things to consider. Are you flexible at all during the negotiation? Have you thought if you are willing to budge the price for things like repairs?
If multiple offers come in are you ready to make a quick decision? Also are you ready to pack up and move out quickly if a great offer comes in right away?
This stage of the process can happen fast and things get real! It is important to be prepared for the part and ready to rock.
Closing the Sale
You got an offer you can’t refuse and it is time to close the sale. There are some closing costs to be aware of such as appraisal and inspection fees. Depending on the type of property you are selling you may need to survey property borders. These are all things that should be discussed in the purchase agreement.
Having a trusted real estate agent can take a huge portion of the stress of this part of the process off of your shoulders. There is a lot of paperwork so you want to be sure that your t’s are crossed and your i’s are dotted.
To sell your home in 2025 remember to get to know the market. Prepare your home, and price it correctly. Spend the time and creativity on your marketing. Then negotiate and close like a boss. Stay informed and proactive during the process and communicate effectively with the buyers.
Now if after all of this, it sounds like too much, we dont’t blame you. Selling or buying a home is a huge step and having a trusted agent by your side makes for a smoother and more enjoyable process.
If you are ready to sell, give us a call now!
Or check out our contact page for other ways to get in touch.