HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME, FROM PREPARATION TO CLOSING

BY MOLLY MILROY

Have you been thinking about selling your home?

If you are, this is an excellent time to do it as the housing market currently favors the seller.

Julie Sathers of Sathers

JS Realty LLC said, “It’s a very good time to sell. If there was ever a good time to maximize your equity, now is the time.”

She explained that because there is a shortage of inventory on the market and a lot of buyers are looking, along with low interest rates, this is an excellent time to sell. To maximize presentation for the best offers, consider the following.

Decluttering your home will make your house picture-perfect ready.

“The biggest thing is to declutter and minimize, and to do a deep clean,” Sathers said. “When we take photos, if there’s a lot of stuff, it clutters the pictures and that’s the first thing buyers look at. That’s what gets them in the door: the pictures online.”

Since you’re going to be moving anyway, pack your items up in boxes and stack them in a storage room or the garage.

Working with a real estate agent will be beneficial in multiple ways.

“Listing with a real estate agent gets it in front of the most buyers possible in the shortest period of time,” Sathers said. “The market is very busy right now. Most buyers are already under a contract with a real estate agent and the places they are looking for those homes is through the MLS (Multiple Listing System).”

Be prepared for multiple offers, but the highest price doesn’t necessarily mean the best offer.

“There are so many other terms in a purchase agreement that may be beneficial to the buyer or the seller, that a seller really needs a professional to navigate through that,” Sathers said.

Some of the factors to consider are the type of financing that a buyer has, how much money they are putting down, home inspection, closing costs, and the closing date.

“You want a professional looking out for your interests and walking you through the pros and the cons of each of those offers,” Sather said.

It’s currently a very busy housing market and it certainly favors sellers, so if you are even considering selling your home, meet with a real estate agent and then start packing those boxes, because as Sathers asserts, “If there ever was a time to sell, now is the time.”

Molly Milroy is a Duluth freelance writer.

1. What are my current thoughts or ideas of what apartment living consists of? And am I open to change my mindset?

2. Have I done my research on the apartment communities I am interested in? What about a community draws me to it?

3. What are my priorities when thinking about housing? For example, size, price, location, amenities, style, community.

4. Do I have any “make or break” characteristics about an apartment? For example, pet friendly, available parking, public transit access, ADA accessible.

5. When is my “goal” move-in date, and my “must” move-in date?

In terms of demand for apartment living, people in Duluth are looking for a place to live that gives them the comfort and feeling of home, while also delivering an effortless and luxurious experience. In addition to providing great amenities and customer service, prime location is one of the top things people consider when looking for housing.

Q: What demographic is most commonly seen in apartment living; do you have national statistics you can share?

Our demographic varies depending on the community location and the design concept we create. That said, there is currently an upward trend in apartment living, as it provides access to a more urban lifestyle and is evolving to be more community oriented.

Q: If someone is looking to move into an apartment, what are 5 things they should ask themselves before making that decision?

Q: What are 5 things someone should know about when wanting to move into an apartment?

1. Be open to the new experiences and new friends who come with a community.

2. Apartment searching can be a daunting experience to undergo alone, so bring someone along if you wish.

3. Don’t hesitate to turn to our staff if you have a question or need help, they are here to support you.

4. Apartments can lease quickly, so don’t hesitate to sign if you feel like it is the right fit for you. Leases are not based on who tours or applies for the apartment first, they are dependent on who signs the lease document.

5. Apartments are no longer dimly lit buildings that offer limited resident benefits. They are a flourishing and busy place for people to live, socialize, grow and, most of all, enjoy!

Information provided by Summit Management.