12 Concealed Expenses Associated with Home Selling (Part 1). Selling your house often involves various financial aspects and costs that can add up. To navigate this process smoothly, it’s crucial to plan accordingly and Be Prepared for the financial implications that may arise.
Counting the Costs of Selling Your Home
If you’re a homeowner looking to sell, you’re probably keen on maximizing your return on your most substantial investment – your house.
It’s common knowledge that engaging a real estate agent typically incurs a fee ranging from five to six percent of the selling price. For instance, that could mean as much as $30,000 in expenses on a $500,000 house sale.
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the overall costs associated with selling your home. .
From the initial expenses of preparing your property to make it market-ready to potential unforeseen complications that might arise, selling a house can indeed be a financially significant endeavor.
To help you navigate this journey without unwelcome financial surprises and to ensure you get the best possible return on your investment, explore the following 12 costs that are intertwined with the process of selling your home.
Independent Appraisal: Finding the Right Price for Your Home
Setting the perfect selling price for your home is a delicate balancing act.
Price it too low, and it might sell quickly but at a loss of its true value. Price it too high, and it could linger on the market for months without any takers. To arrive at that sweet spot, consider enlisting the services of a seasoned professional appraiser.
These experts will meticulously assess every nook and cranny of your property and then compare it against recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood.
It’s worth noting that residential appraisers are typically required to be licensed in most states. You can seek recommendations from your lender for a trusted appraiser, or alternatively, explore the American Society of Appraisers to find a qualified appraiser near you.
Anticipate an expenditure ranging from $350 to $500 for an independent appraisal.
This investment can be instrumental in helping you determine the ideal price point for your home, ultimately ensuring a smoother and more profitable selling experience.
Elevating Your Home\’s Appeal with Professional Staging
Home staging is an artful process involving several key steps: decluttering, painting if necessary, selecting appealing furniture and draperies, and crafting a space that exudes beauty while maintaining a touch of neutrality.
This neutrality allows potential buyers to envision their own style taking center stage, rather than feeling like they’re stepping into your personal space. Many professional home stagers are also skilled interior decorators who offer staging as part of their repertoire.
If you’re interested in professional staging, your real estate agent can be an invaluable resource, often providing a curated list of the best stagers in the business.
While the costs can range from $250 to $600 per room per month, the investment is well worth it. Statistically, a staged home not only sells 88 percent faster than a non-staged one but also fetches an average of 20 percent more in terms of the final selling price.
In essence, professional staging can significantly enhance your home’s market appeal and potentially yield a more lucrative sale.
Pre-inspection: A Smoother Road to Selling Your Home
Navigating the path to selling your home can be full of unexpected twists and turns, particularly if issues like an active termite infestation surface after you’ve already inked a contract.
Surprisingly, according to the real estate authority Zillow, a substantial 15 percent of housing deals collapse due to the unearthing of problems during the inspection process. To preemptively address potential pitfalls, many sellers opt for a pre-inspection before officially listing their property, allowing them to proactively tackle necessary repairs.
Enlisting the services of a professional home inspector for this task typically incurs a cost ranging from $250 to $450.
To locate a certified home inspector in your vicinity, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) can be a valuable resource.
Investing in a pre-inspection can save you both time and money in the long run, helping you spot and resolve issues before they become deal-breakers and thereby increasing the likelihood of a smooth and successful home sale.
Addressing Repairs: Ensuring a Sound Real Estate Investment
When it comes to securing a mortgage, banks are meticulous about the soundness of the property being purchased.
As part of their due diligence, lenders commonly require comprehensive property inspections before underwriting a mortgage. To navigate this crucial step, real estate sales contracts often outline a framework for addressing repairs.
Typically, both the buyer and seller agree to share the cost of repairs, up to a predetermined amount, which might be, for example, $1,500.
However, if the estimated repair expenses exceed this agreed-upon threshold, either party reserves the option to withdraw from the deal.
Alternatively, if you’re committed to seeing the transaction through, you may choose to cover the entirety of the repair costs yourself. These costs can vary significantly depending on the nature and extent of the problems identified during the inspection, potentially amounting to thousands of dollars.
Understanding and addressing repair costs is an integral aspect of the real estate transaction process, as it can determine whether a deal proceeds smoothly or faces potential setbacks.
*The information is for reference only.
