At Diamond Real Estate Law, we love living in McHenry. But we know that at some point, it can be time for a change. And we know that when you’re looking into selling your home, there is a lot at stake and a lot of work to be done.
That’s why we’ve provided this helpful guide about selling best practices here in McHenry, Illinois.
Finding an Agent
The first step to selling your house is finding a reliable real estate agent (Realtor) that will be on your side throughout the entire sale process. While there are plenty of experienced real estate agents out there, you should try to find one that you feel comfortable with.
Conduct online searches in the area, read their reviews, and even go to some open houses to get a feel for how they are in person. Try asking your friends and family for referrals, of course, but it can also be helpful to ask other real estate professionals if they have any recommendations.
These experts are happy to point you in the right direction, especially if you need something that they themselves do not specialize in.
How Much Is My Illinois Home Worth?
Once you’ve found a real estate agent you feel comfortable with, you need to get an idea of how much your home is worth.
One of the biggest mistakes sellers can make is overpricing their home. Talk to your real estate agent about obtaining a comparative market analysis.
This list will include:
- Active listings
- Pending listings
- Sold listings
- Off-market or canceled listings
- Expired listings
Many experts also recommend researching the best time to sell in your area. The best time of year, nationally, to sell is usually the first half of May, but plenty of services can help you determine the best time in Illinois or even in McHenry, specifically.
Getting Your House Sell-able
Preparing your home for sale includes more than you might expect. You should do as much cleaning and decluttering as you can, and work with your real estate agent, or professional home stager, to stage your home for showings, etc. (There are also apps you can use to help you with staging!)
This is also the time for any and all home improvements. Again, your real estate agent can help you decide exactly what needs to be done to help make your house the best that it can be for the market.
Warning: Do not take on any major home improvement projects without talking to your real estate agent first. You can end up spending a lot of money and not getting it back when you sell.
Sometimes things that drive you crazy or that you think are important to potential Buyers will not actually get you more money for your home. Your real estate agent can give you a lot of insight into exactly what things your target Buyer usually finds important.
And don’t forget about curb appeal! Spend some time cleaning and revamping your front yard, too. Cut back anything that’s overgrown, and maybe add some seasonal plants or flowers to give it that picturesque look.
Hiring an Illinois Real Estate Attorney
Now that the house is ready to go, it’s time to hire a real estate attorney. While not as well known as real estate agents, real estate lawyers provide legal advice and help you customize real estate contracts. They can also advise you on any legal ramifications and ensure that all of your obligations and deadlines are executed properly.
Here are some other tasks the real estate attorney can help you with:
- Reviewing the listing agreement you made with your real estate agent
- Analyzing the title of your property
- Writing the deed
- Checking the final breakdown of costs at closing
An experienced real estate lawyer should be with you for all of the next steps of the process, providing legal guidance and assisting if any problems arise.
Closing the Deal
As the closing date approaches, your To Do List gets longer and longer. The last thing you want to do is add reviewing a pile of confusing or complicated forms to that list.
Instead, the real estate attorney will put the final touches on the closing documents and review documents from the other party’s attorney. At the closing table, the attorney will review these documents again and answer all your final questions.
The closing is the last opportunity to raise concerns and deal with last-minute or lingering issues. Having an experienced real estate attorney at your side for the closing will keep you covered in case an issue arises, proposing a solution that protects your interests and is mutually acceptable to all parties.
Contact Our McHenry, IL Real Estate Attorneys Today
Are you thinking about selling your house? Or have you already begun the process and need to retain a real estate attorney? Diamond Real Estate Law is ready to help you – wherever you are in the process. Give us a call today to schedule a meeting with our experienced team of legal professionals. We look forward to working with you!
