Selling Big Sky real estate is no simple feat, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult endeavor. A majority of the stress comes from not knowing how the home-selling process works. As long as you know what to expect and prepare for, selling your Big Sky home shouldn’t be an issue. Whether you’re a first-time seller or a more experienced one, it always pays off to stay informed. Here is everything you need to know about selling your Big Sky home before you even get started.
Hire a real estate agent
First things first – you need to hire a real estate agent specializing in the area. Working with a licensed real estate agent comes with a number of benefits, such as extensive knowledge about the current housing market, what buyers look for, connections to contractors and other professionals, strong marketing strategies, and, most importantly, access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Your agent will also negotiate with buyers to ensure you receive the best possible offer on your property.
Figure out your temporary living accommodations
In the event that you don’t buy a new home before you sell your current one, you’ll need to figure out where you and your family will be staying in the meantime. Fortunately, you have several options. Many families opt to stay with a relative or book a hotel or rental while they search for a new home. It’s important to decide where you plan on staying before selling your home, especially if you intend to renovate the home beforehand.
Research the Big Sky real estate market
Take a look at comparable Big Sky homes for sale that are currently on the market. How long have they been on the market? How much are they selling for? How do these properties compare to yours? Analyzing comparable properties gives you a better idea of how you should price your home. Of course, if you’re ever in doubt or would like additional counsel, your real estate agent is your next best resource. They’ll help you set a reasonable price on your home that won’t deter buyers.
Prepare your home for sale
Once you have decided on a price for your home, it’s time to prepare it for sale. Selling a home is much like selling any other product – you want it to look good and draw attention. In order to attract buyers to your listing, your home needs to appeal to them visually and structurally. There are three essential rules to follow when dressing up your home for sale.
Deep clean
The first step is to deep-clean your home inside and out. This means everything, including corners, behind furniture, under rugs, ceilings, lighting fixtures, and every other feature you can think of. The home should look as good as new. Apply the same rigorous cleaning to the home’s exterior, focusing on the windows, doors, siding, porches and decks, and landscaping.
Declutter
The next step is to declutter your home by removing and storing your belongings, such as clothing, books, sporting gear, hobbies, children’s toys, pet supplies, and everything else that detracts from your home’s appeal. The space should be neutral and free of excess clutter. You may keep a few items on display to make it look homely, but limit these additions to simple things like plants, paintings with neutral colors and images, and a few books on a shelf.
Depersonalize
Lastly, you need to depersonalize the home. This step often goes hand in hand with decluttering, but it involves the specific removal of items that are too closely linked to you and your family. These include family photos, diplomas, certificates, kitchen magnets, and more. Remember – your home should look and feel like it was just constructed. Evidence of a previous family detracts from a buyer’s interest.
Enhance your curb appeal
Curb appeal is everything buyers see when they look at your home from the street, and it’s also the first thing people see when browsing home listings online. Spruce up your curb appeal by trimming the lawn, cleaning pavement, and storing children’s toys, pet supplies, sporting equipment, and other personal effects you might have outside. Shrubs and flower patches should be neat and tidy. There’s no need for elaborate landscaping.
Invest in professional home staging
Once your home is fully prepped, invest in professional home staging. Home staging strategically uses space and furniture to create a neutral and appealing look in any room. It offers buyers a “preview” of what they can do with the home once it’s theirs. While you can certainly attempt staging on your own, a professional is faster and more effective. Your agent may know of a staging company they can get you into contact with, so be sure to consult them.
Hire a professional home photographer
After you stage your home, consider investing in home photography. Much like a home stager, a professional home photographer knows how to showcase and emphasize the best features of your home with expert compositions. They will provide you with studio-quality photos you may then use for your listing and virtual tours.
Host in-person and virtual tours
Photos draw buyer interest and pique their curiosity, but tours strengthen and maintain that interest by inviting them to visit the home for themselves. Rely on your agent to show off your home and emphasize its best features. While in-person tours are most effective, virtual tours are doable and perfect for buyers who live in another state.
Partner with Kelly Smoak
Now that you know what to anticipate, your next move should be to reach out to Kelly Smoak, a local real estate expert associated with the Smoak Real Estate Group. Kelly has over a decade of experience selling and buying Big Sky homes, making her a great candidate for your team. Give her a call as soon as you can to get started on selling your home.
