DETERMINE YOUR TIMELINE
When it comes to real estate sales, it's important to first determine your timeline. Are you looking for a quick sale or can you afford to take some time finding the right buyer? Factors like a new job, starting a school year, or other life changes will undeniably influence when you should start marketing your home and anticipating an offer. Above all else, make sure that whatever plan of action you decide upon fits into your individual situation.
DO SOME RESEARCH
Knowing the real estate market in your Maui community is key to selling your home. Before putting your house up for sale, consider researching trends and prices of comparable homes that recently sold in neighboring locations. This will give you the necessary insight to determine pricing and closing costs. Taking the time to thoroughly research real estate trends will ensure you are making a smart decision about the sale of your home, so that you can confidently move forward with the process.
MAKE UPDATES OR REPAIRS
Updating or repairing your home prior to sale is a critical step in achieving top real estate results. It may seem daunting, but these repairs and updates will pay dividends when it comes time to list the property on the market. From replacing inefficient appliances and fixtures with energy-efficient ones to addressing deferred maintenance issues or adding a fresh coat of paint, small improvements can make a big difference come sale time. Taking care of these items before listing will give you the best chance of maximizing your home’s sale price.
FIND A REAL ESTATE AGENT
Finding a real estate agent who’s just right for your home sale is crucial. Not only will a real estate agent provide you with valuable insights on the local real estate market, but they’ll also help you secure the maximum amount of money for your home sale. An experienced real estate agent will ensure a stress-free and successful sale process from start to finish, making sure your interests are best represented in the long run. By carefully researching the agents on Maui and reviewing their experience, you’ll be confident knowing they’ll manage all aspects of selling your home efficiently and to your advantage.
PREPARE YOUR HOME & STAGE
Selling real estate can be an intimidating process, but preparing for the sale ahead of time and showcasing your beautiful home is key. Prior to showings, take steps to make your home more inviting — declutter any unnecessary items, touch up any wall scuffs or dents, and if desired, add a fresh coat of paint. Consider investing in professional staging if your home is empty or want to stand out even more. By doing so, your real estate agent can emphasize certain features or have vignette-styled areas which highlight the strengths of each room. Ultimately, this step could help amplify your real estate potential as you prepare for sale.
GET AN APPRAISAL
To adequately price your property, it’s helpful to get a home appraisal. Knowing the real market value of your home allows you to be confident in the listing price you choose. A real estate appraiser can provide insight into features and amenities that add value to your home, as well as ensure you get the most out of your real estate sale. Furthermore, having an updated appraisal opens up more real estate opportunities for sellers if you choose to rent or lease the property instead. While it may seem like an unnecessary process for some, getting a home appraisal shouldn’t be overlooked before placing a home on the market.
LIST & REVIEW OFFERS
With the help of your experienced and trusted real estate agent, you’ll agree on a listing price and your home will go on the market. Your realtor will spearhead marketing your home, ensuring it gets in front of the right potential buyers. When offers start coming in, take your time when assessing them, making sure to evaluate each one based on the same criteria so you can make a fair comparison. Price isn't always an indicator of quality, so dive deep into each offer before deciding if it's the right fit for you. Again, your realtor will offer helpful counsel for each potential option.
NEGOTIATE & ACCEPT OFFER
Selling your Maui home can often be a daunting experience, and it takes careful negotiations to make the sale. Knowing what you’re entitled to can help make sure that all parties remain happy throughout the transaction. Negotiating the real estate agreement can include considerations related to closing costs, inspection reports, and other contingencies. Once everyone is satisfied with the offer, it’s time to accept and go under contract!
CLOSING & MOVE
Once a closing date is agreed upon, it’s time to finalize all the moving details. The days prior to your home sale can be stressful, so it’s helpful to plan in advance with movers, storage pods, or storage space. After all steps for the sale have been completed and the paperwork finalized, both parties will meet at the closing table to transfer ownership of the property. Following the closing appointment, funds are released to all parties involved in the real estate transaction. With these crucial steps, you can confidently close on your home sale!