Selling your home in McHenry County is one of the most important financial transactions you will have in your lifetime. Before selling, it is important to do your research on market conditions, understand your legal requirements, and select the best real estate agent for your needs.
Our firm, Diamond Real Estate Law, helps McHenry County residents buy and sell property. We can assist our clients with meeting disclosure requirements and reviewing their real estate contracts.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of five important things to consider before you sell your home in McHenry County, Illinois.
1. Choose a Real Estate Agent
Finding a great real estate agent can make or break the sale of your home. Ideally, you will want to work with an agent who is communicative, knowledgeable, and experienced with selling homes in your neighborhood.
We recommend asking your neighbors and friends for recommendations. Give yourself ample time to research real estate agents online, too. Pay careful attention to their reviews and write down a list of questions to ask potential candidates.
Questions about their experience with your neighborhood, similar homes, and their credentials can help you find a quality professional who will represent your interests.
2. Find a Real Estate Lawyer
Real estate law can be complicated, and when it comes to protecting your best interests, consulting with an attorney can provide added protection. An attorney can help you follow Illinois real estate laws and understand your contracts. A real estate lawyer’s knowledge and experience comes in handy for complicated transactions or when contracts might serve against your best interests.
We encourage you to seek out referrals for real estate lawyers in McHenry County and do some research online. Reading client reviews on a firm’s website will help you get a better idea of an attorney’s experience and credentials.
Diamond Real Estate Law serves clients in McHenry, Illinois and beyond.
3. Determine Your Selling Price
Finding the right listing price for your home is one of the most important aspects of selling a property.
Too high of a price could yield little interest in your home while too low of a price could have potential buyers wondering if there is something wrong with the property or its location.
Your real estate agent can help you determine a price that reflects current market trends. You can do research, too, by looking at recently-sold homes in your neighborhood.
4. Prepare Your Home for the Market
Before your real estate agent posts your listing, your home needs to be in tip-top shape. This means cleaning up overgrown shrubs, giving your home a deep clean, and power washing your sidewalks and driveways.
Many people invest in having their homes professionally staged, too. This can make your house as appealing as possible to buyers. Your real estate agent can help you make your property stand out and attract potential buyers.
Be sure to give yourself ample time to spruce up your property and enlist professionals like house cleaners and landscapers when necessary.
5. Disclosures
Illinois law requires that property owners disclose past and potential issues with their homes.
This may include disclosing repairs done to foundations, notices of municipal code violations, disputes with boundaries, and flood risks. Improperly or inadequately disclosing these concerns could tank your real estate sale and/or raise legal concerns.
This aspect of your sale can benefit from the guidance of an experienced Illinois real estate lawyer. Preventing mistakes protects your bottom line.
Diamond Real Estate Law is ready to help
Diamond Real Estate Law offers a team of experienced attorneys who can help you make the most of your real estate sale. As a client-oriented firm, we place a priority on open communication and the utmost in professionalism. Give our office a call at (773) 217-9623 to speak with a member of our staff.