We live in a digital society, and it’s hard to avoid disconnecting yourself in your everyday life- real estate included. Especially during the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to be tech-savvy enough to manage your home sale on the web. Furthermore, taking advantage of the internet opens the door to a whole lot more potential buyers. If you’re unsure where or how to start, we’ve explained below how to sell your house online.
1. Sell to a Wholesaler
The fastest, most hassle-free way to sell your house online is through a wholesale buyer. They’ll buy your home as-is, regardless of the condition, and pay you directly in cash. Sometimes the payment will fall short of what you may have otherwise gotten in a classic sale. But on the flip side, you’ll avoid agent fees, you won’t pay for staging or repairs, and you’ll get the property off your hands (along with the taxes and utility costs that come with it).
2. Sell with a Real Estate Agent
Naturally, selling with an agent will benefit you in ways you couldn’t manage alone. Think navigating complicated paperwork, better publicity, and smarter negotiations. Of course, that comes with a price tag of about 6% commission on the total sale.
It’s vital to find a trustworthy agent who has your best interest in mind and will be available for you throughout the sales process. Sites like Realtor.com are great, but it doesn’t hurt to dedicate more effort into researching a dependable, local agent. Above all, ensure that they’re familiar with your specific market. Sometimes the best way to find a trusted agent is through networking- if a friend or relative can vouch for them, you’re already ahead of the game. But checking the agent’s online reviews works, too.
3. Sell by Yourself
It takes the most work to sell your house online without the help of professionals. However, it’ll also get you the highest reward if you play your cards right.
- Get Picture-Perfect Property Photos
These days everyone is listing their home on the web, and if you want to sell your house online you’re going to have to keep up with certain standards. Clear, quality pictures will catch people’s eyes, while blurry or dark ones will almost certainly have people scroll right by. If you don’t bother with decent photographs, people might also assume you slack in other areas (like home maintenance) which is a major red flag.
If you want to tackle the project yourself, stage the home beforehand and ensure you have decent lighting. However, it might be worth the investment to hire a professional photographer. Taking it a step further, consider filming a video or posting a 3D tour.
- Market on Various Platforms
Real estate websites, such as Zillow or Trulia, are the most popular and conventional way to sell your house online. Still, Facebook and Craigslist are viable options too. And while a picture speaks 1,000 words, it’s not enough on its own. Sum up the most attractive qualities of your property in a paragraph or two.
- Budget Out Commission Fees
While you’ll be saving money on your end by selling independently, you should still prepare to pay a real estate commission fee. Unless the buyer is also working without an agent, you’ll be expected to dish out about 3% of the total payment to their agent.
Conclusion
Every option has its benefits and drawbacks. Assess your needs wisely and do your research before jumping into a decision. Good luck!
