When it comes to selling your home, one of the most common questions we hear is, “How long will it take?” The answer can vary, but we can break it down into key phases to give you a clear picture of what to expect. Let’s dive into the timeline of selling a house, focusing on the preparation, listing, and closing stages.
The Preparation Phase
The preparation phase is typically the longest part of the home-selling process. This is where the magic happens, and it’s crucial for setting the stage for a successful sale. Here at Seasons Real Estate, we can have a listing ready to launch within just three days if needed. However, to ensure your home attracts the highest number of potential buyers and the best offers, we recommend a thorough preparation process.
Here’s what the prep phase includes:
- Cleaning: A spotless home makes the best first impression. Deep cleaning your home, including carpets, windows, and all those nooks and crannies, can make a world of difference. Part of our listing preparation, we will send our professional cleaners in to help take that off your to-do list. This helps your home stand out for the buyers who are walking through, and takes it off your plate, because you already have enough to do.
- Staging: Professionally staging your home can highlight its best features and help buyers envision themselves living there. This can involve rearranging furniture, adding decor, or even renting furniture to enhance the space. We offer complimentary staging for all our listings. To learn more about our staging, and how it helps you make more $ see this blog post from last week: https://theutahrealestateagent.com/2024/05/the-power-of-staging-selling-your-home-empty-or-staged/
- Professional Photography: High-quality photos are essential for online listings. We also include a 3D tour and detailed floor plans to give buyers a comprehensive view of your home from the comfort of their own screens. We cover the cost of all of the images, video, 3D tours and floor plans, to make sure your buyers see it in all its glory.
Many of our clients reach out to us six months or more before they are ready to sell. This is ideal because it allows us to provide a tailored project list to maximize your home’s appeal when it goes live on the market.
The Listing Phase
Once your home is prepped and ready, the actual listing process is relatively swift. On average, homes in the Utah market go under contract in about 45 days. However, thanks to our meticulous prep plan and strategic marketing launch, our clients’ homes typically spend just 10 days on the market before going under contract.
Our marketing launch includes:
- Eye-catching online listings
- Targeted social media campaigns
- Email blasts to potential buyers
- Open houses and private showings
These efforts ensure your home gets maximum visibility and attracts serious buyers quickly.
The Closing Phase
After your home goes under contract, the closing phase begins. This period generally takes about 30 days and involves the buyer completing their due diligence, securing financing, and finalizing the deal. During this time, there may be additional negotiations based on the buyer’s inspections and any contingencies that were part of the offer.
Quick-Sale Options
If you need to sell your home quickly, we have strategies for that as well. If your home is in good condition, we can list it at about 5% below market value to generate a lot of interest and prompt a fast sale. For homes that require more work, we maintain a list of cash buyers and investors who can purchase properties quickly. While these options are available, we usually recommend putting your home on the open market to ensure you get the highest possible return.
Final Thoughts
Selling a home involves several stages, each with its own timeline. Preparation can take as long as you need to get your home in top shape. Once listed, we aim to have your home under contract within 10 days, significantly faster than the market average of 45 days. From there, the closing process usually takes about 30 days.
At Seasons Real Estate, we are committed to guiding you through each step of the process with expert advice and top-notch service to ensure a smooth and successful sale. Whether you have six months or six days, we have a plan to meet your needs and achieve your goals.
Ready to start the journey? Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
