Selling your home in New Jersey may seem like something anyone can do. The job of a real estate agent doesn’t seem so hard, can’t anyone do it?
If you’ve ever tried to sell a home on your own, you know that real estate agents do a lot more than what is seen on the surface. For more information on the job of a real estate agent, check out this article or a list HERE.
Here are six things you must do to achieve a successful home sale and hurtle yourself into the next exciting chapter of your life!
1. Find an experienced and trustworthy NJ agent. Make it a REALTOR!
Did you know that not all New Jersey real estate agents are New Jersey REALTORS? REALTORS are real estate agents who are members of the National Association of REALTORS (“NAR”) and are bound to adhere to NAR’s strictly enforced Code of Ethics. You also want someone with years of practical, boots-on-the-ground experience or working directly under a seasoned mentor.
Even new agents can do a great job and deserve a shot as long as they have the proper guidance. Interview more than one candidate, and make sure they can explain their marketing plan—don’t settle for them telling you they have a strategic plan without describing their techniques.
2. Understand that you get what you pay for
While it may be tempting to go with the cheapest option when searching for an agent in NJ, it may not be prudent.
When interviewing, remember to consider more than just the answer to “What’s your commission rate?”
You may have an agent willing to undervalue themselves just to get your listing, and you’ll find out the hard way after you’ve signed on the dotted line. Paying an extra percent or two for someone worth their salt could save you money in the long run.
3. Be smart about your pricing and market entry strategies
Look on more than just popular real estate internet platforms. Discuss current local market trends for your city in New Jersey with your human real estate agent, and let them inform, educate, and guide you to the right price and market entry plan.
You should feel clear and confident about the plan and timeline for getting your home out there!
4. Prep your home for action
If you’re going to prom – before you can get out on the dance floor, you have to get your outfit and hair done. It’s the same with selling a home. Before you invite homebuyers to check it on, you must declutter, depersonalize, and clean.
Touch up paint, make minor repairs or improvements, and lighten and brighten your space. Consider staging your home to help it shine. Staging doesn’t have to mean renting or bringing in outside pieces; you can stage with items you already have!
Remember, you’ve got to remove your emotion a little at this stage and realize that you are preparing a product for a market of discerning buyers who need to be able to envision themselves in the space.
5. Let your real estate agent work their magic
Now is when things get exciting. At this stage, you should have professional photos taken, a 3D tour, digital floorplans, and marketing material prepared for you. Your real estate agent will publish your listing on multiple online platforms (public and multiple listing services), and you should start receiving showings and feedback.
In New Jersey, like in other parts of the northeast, spring is the prime time to list your home. It’s the time of year when people want to be outside because the weather is nice, so going to open houses isn’t asking a lot.
Your real estate agent may host one or more open houses during this time as well. Some agents even go the extra mile and live-stream to social media!
6. Negotiate and close that sale!
Although this is the last step, this can sometimes take just as long as the first four combined. Your agent will present and evaluate offers with you, chat with potential Buyers’ Lenders to confirm financial viability, and guide you through inspections, repair negotiations, and appraisals to help you secure a great deal! They’ll also help you stay on top of required disclosures and paperwork and keep you on track with deadlines until you’re at the closing table.
If the buyer is coming from out of New Jersey there may be specific steps the buyers agent isn’t aware of. Working with an agent who knows the New Jersey market will be very helpful in these situations.
Bonus Tips
Here are some extra pro tips to help you be sure you’re taking the proper steps leading up to and after closing. Don’t forget to:
- Wait until you’ve completed repair negotiations with your Buyer and the Appraisal before you begin packing more seriously. Every sale faces hurdles, and there’s nothing more annoying than packing up your house prematurely.
- Empty your attic and shed(s). This one sounds obvious, but sellers often forget these spaces when packing. On a related note, ensure you’re not taking or removing any items contractually included in the sale.
- Inform your loan servicer of your new address so they can send you any surplus escrowed funds (funds they held in escrow to pay your property taxes and homeowner’s insurance) – after all, that’s your money, and you want to be sure it’s coming back to you if there’s extra!!
- Schedule an end date for your cable, internet, phone, home maintenance agreements, lawn service, security monitoring, and any other recurring charge or service.
- Leave a note for your Buyer with any helpful info, such as old alarm or door codes, neighbors’ names, maintenance contacts, etc. You can and should also leave them any owner’s manuals or maintenance records that you may have in your possession.
- Visit www.usps.com and forward your mail to your new address.
- Lastly, tell your friends and family about your new favorite real estate agent. It’s good for everyone! Your people can be sure they’re working with someone who knows their stuff, and it’s a great way to show you appreciate your agent.
Conclusion
Sure, you could try to sell your home in New Jersey on your own, but do you really want to do all that work without help? And how can you be sure you’re not missing something or dropping the ball somewhere? Rely on a Realtor; it’s what we do every day.