Selling your home to a buyer can be a game-changing solution, saving you valuable time and money. You can also cut the stress of staging and marketing, and avoid the hefty agent commissions. By selling to a buyer, you can reap these benefits and sell your home without any added hassle. In this article, you will see what it costs to sell your home in Bloomington.
Commissions, Staging & Yard Work, Oh My!
Cleaning
The initial step in preparing the home for visitors is a comprehensive cleaning of the entire house, starting from the top and working down. This involves washing the windows inside and outside, scrubbing the grout and tile, cleaning the baseboards, molding, and even the often overlooked areas like the window sills and ceiling fans. If you own pets, it’s crucial to pay special attention to removing pet hair and unpleasant odors. While you may choose to do the cleaning yourself, it’s unlikely that you’ll achieve the same level of precision and efficiency as a professional cleaner. Furthermore, maintaining a tidy house for potential showings, open houses, and unexpected guests can be exhausting and time-consuming.
Landscaping
It is crucial to pay attention to your yard when selling your home. Ensuring that your yard has excellent curb appeal and is not overgrown or filled with weeds is essential. Although you can take on this task yourself, it will require hard work. To enhance the appearance of your yard, you should:
- Trim trees and bushes.
- Weed the lawn and open areas.
- Plant flowers and suitable plants.
- Fix anything in need of repair.
- Add fresh paint to outdoor trim, mailbox, door, etc.
- Add seating and other elements of staging to make the outside areas more welcoming
Your backyard should be well-maintained, inviting, and pleasant. Since the front yard is the first impression of your home, it is crucial to make it a good one!
Storage & Moving
When selling a house, it’s important to consider the impact of personal items on potential buyers. While you may have an emotional attachment to your belongings, cluttered spaces can detract from the overall appeal of your home. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to pack and store some of your belongings, even if you’re still living in the home. This can create a more neutral space that allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space.
In addition to the impact on buyers, it’s important to consider the logistics of storage and moving. If you need to store your belongings offsite, you’ll need to factor in the cost of a storage unit. If you’re temporarily staying somewhere else until your home sells, you may need to pay additional rent in addition to your mortgage, which can add up quickly. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of moving, including whether you’ll need to hire movers, pack everything yourself, or rent a truck.
It’s essential to take into account these costs to sell your home. By planning ahead and considering all the expenses involved in the process, you can avoid financial surprises and make a smooth transition to your next home.
Listing Fees, Agent Fees, Administrative Fees and Notary Charges
Collaborating with an agent can entail numerous costs to sell your home and charges that you may not anticipate. It’s important to note that these charges are separate from the commission fee, which we will discuss later. Your agent may require you to pay for various services such as marketing, listing, and administrative tasks like paperwork and printing. Additionally, there may be additional expenses for notarization and other minor services that can quickly accumulate.
Commissions
It’s important to keep in mind that the agent will typically charge a commission for their services. This commission is usually a percentage of the sale price, with 6% being a common rate. However, it’s worth noting that the commission percentage can vary depending on factors such as the location of the property and the type of market you’re in.