Choosing how you’re going to sell your home sets the tone for your entire home-selling process, and as a prospective seller, you should know that these days, you no longer have to list your home through a realtor. Some selling options available to you include a “for sale by owner” (FSBO) option, using an iBuyer, or selling to a property investor.

If you’ve decided to work with a professional, the next step to getting your house on the market is hiring a real estate agent.

Hire a real estate agent.

When choosing an agent, ensure that they have a license to practice in your state. It’s also important to note that not all real estate agents are realtors, although all realtors can be real estate agents. Realtors are members of the National Association of Realtors and are bound by a code of ethics to protect your interests throughout the entire selling process.

A good realtor will be familiar with the local real estate industry, and their real estate marketing experience will ensure that the real estate listing they write up gets you quality showings and higher offers.

If you need to find a real estate agent, ask for referrals from people you trust. Also, consider using online resources such as Zillow’s agent finder or Realtor. Alternatively, visit open houses in your neighborhood and ask to speak to the seller’s agent.

Work with a professional home stager.

Staging your home involves organizing your home for sale in a manner that’ll appeal to prospective buyers. Remember, prospective buyers need to envision themselves in their “future home,” but this won’t be possible if your home is filled with family photos, toys, clutter, and other personal items. There are several benefits of staging a home, chief among them being the possibility of increasing your home’s value by showcasing its best features.

Don’t forget about curb appeal.

To make a quicker sale, think of things you can do to make a great first impression. Your home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyer sees as they come into your home. Knowing this, ensure that your home’s exterior represents your home in the best possible light.

Improving your curb appeal can involve easy DIY tasks such as mowing your lawn, replacing broken porch light fixtures, or even planting flowers near your front door. A professional window cleaner can help you power wash your windows and walls. To tie in the makeover, have a professional add a fresh coat of paint where there may be signs of chipped or old paint.

Take care of routine renovations.

As you prepare to put your house on the market, schedule routine maintenance to ensure that your home makes a good first impression on potential buyers. To save you some time, have a professional home repair service run a thorough home inspection to help you establish areas of your home that need urgent repairs.

For instance, if you notice signs of mold on your basement walls, cracks, or wet crawl spaces, this could be hinting at potential moisture damage or foundation issues. A waterproofing company can help you maintain your home’s structural integrity by running a free inspection to diagnose and fix wet basements, foundation problems, interior and exterior waterproofing, and other repair services that involve excess moisture.

If you need help finding a basement waterproofing company near you, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website can help you find well-liked foundation repair specialists in your area. Alternatively, if you live in the Stow area, for instance, a quick “waterproofing in Stow, OH” online search can also help you find local well-rated waterproofing experts.

Use these tips to get someone new in your home as quickly and easily as possible!