Going through a divorce is undoubtedly a challenging time, and selling a home can add to the stress. However, with the right approach and some practical tips, you can successfully navigate the process and emerge in a better position.

In this article, we’ll provide eight essential tips to help you sell your home during a divorce. These tips will assist you in selling quickly and enable you to make informed decisions about your finances.

1. Set Clear Goals and Communication Channels

When going through a divorce, it’s crucial to establish clear goals and open lines of communication with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. Decide whether both of you agree to sell the house or if one party wishes to keep it. Discuss important details such as the correct listing price, acceptable offers, and any potential negotiations if selling is chosen. Open and honest communication can significantly streamline the process and reduce conflicts.

If you plan on buying a house after divorce, let your spouse know, especially when children are involved.

2. Choose the Right Method: Online Selling or Traditional Approach

With technological advancements, you now have multiple options to sell your house, including selling it online or taking the traditional route with a real estate agent. Selling your house online can be an attractive option, especially if you want to sell quickly and save on realtor fees.

Consider exploring reputable online platforms that connect you with potential buyers directly. However, if you prefer a more traditional approach, hiring a real estate agent can provide valuable expertise and help navigate the complexities of the selling process.

3. Assess Your Personal Finances

During a divorce, it’s crucial to understand your personal financial situation. Evaluate your outstanding debts, mortgage balance, and any other financial obligations associated with your home.

Consult a financial advisor or divorce attorney to assess how selling your home will impact your finances and ensure you make informed decisions that align with your long-term goals. Understanding your financial standing will empower you to make confident choices throughout selling.

4. Price It Right

Determining the right listing price is essential for attracting potential buyers and selling your home efficiently. Conduct thorough research of comparable properties in your area and consult with real estate professionals to get an accurate estimate of your home’s value.

Consider market conditions, location, size, and property condition. Setting a competitive price will help generate interest and increase the likelihood of receiving offers on your home.

5. Consider a Discount Agent

If you decide to work with a real estate agent but want to minimize expenses, consider hiring a discount agent. These agents offer a reduced commission compared to traditional agents while still providing essential services. Research and compare discount agents in your area, ensuring they have a good track record and positive reviews. A discount agent can help you navigate the selling process while saving you money on realtor fees.

6. Stage and Highlight Your Home’s Best Features

Creating a positive first impression is crucial when selling your home. Stage your property to highlight its best features and make it more appealing to potential buyers. Remove clutter, depersonalize the space, and consider making minor repairs or upgrades.

Pay special attention to enhancing curb appeal by maintaining the exterior and creating an inviting entrance. High-quality photos and videos of your well-presented home can attract more buyers and increase the chances of receiving offers.

7. Be Ready to Negotiate

Receiving offers on a home during a divorce may involve negotiation. Be prepared to navigate these discussions with your ex-spouse and potential buyers. Determine your priorities, including the minimum acceptable price and any specific terms or conditions you require.

Stay focused on your goals and consult with your divorce attorney to protect your rights and interests during negotiations. Flexibility and willingness to find mutually agreeable solutions can help expedite the selling process.

8. Have a Plan for What’s Next

Once you sell your home, it’s essential to have a plan for the future. Discuss with your divorce attorney or financial advisor how the proceeds from the sale will be divided and how they align with your long-term goals.

If you’re ready to buy a house after the divorce, consult with a mortgage lender to understand your borrowing capacity and explore potential options. A well-thought-out plan will give you peace of mind and clarity for the next chapter of your life.

Bottom Line:

Selling a home during a divorce can be emotionally and financially challenging. You can navigate the process more smoothly by setting clear goals, communicating effectively, considering different selling methods, pricing your home right, and being prepared to negotiate.

Don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance from real estate agents, financial advisors, and divorce attorneys to ensure you make informed decisions. Remember, by taking the necessary steps, you can successfully sell your home and confidently move forward in your new chapter.

Modern buyers often have specific preferences and expectations when purchasing a home, and appealing to their needs while preserving the charm and character of a historic property requires a strategic approach.

In this article, we will explore effective ways to attract modern buyers when selling a historic home, providing you with actionable advice to attract offers and ensure a successful sale.

Most people understand there can be problems with older houses, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore the flaws and let them fester.

Find an Agent Experienced in Historic Homes

Finding a real estate agent who specializes in historic properties is crucial. Look for an agent who has successfully sold historic homes in the past and understands the unique nuances involved. They will have the knowledge and expertise to market your home effectively, highlight its historical features, and navigate any potential challenges that may arise during the selling process.

Showcase the Historical Features

One of the main reasons buyers are drawn to historic homes is their unique architectural details and historical significance.

Highlight these features during marketing by emphasizing craftsmanship, original woodwork, stained glass windows, or any other distinctive elements. Professional photography can play a significant role in showcasing the charm and character of your home, enticing buyers to explore further.

Modernize with Contemporary Amenities

While preserving the historical integrity of your home is important, incorporating modern amenities can significantly increase its appeal to modern buyers. Upgrade key areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms with modern appliances, fixtures, and finishes.

You can create a home that appeals to traditional and contemporary sensibilities by striking a balance between historic charm and modern functionality.

Enhance Curb Appeal with Landscaping

First impressions matter, and curb appeal is vital in attracting buyers. Enhance the exterior of your historic home by investing in professional landscaping. Maintain a well-manicured lawn, plant seasonal flowers, and consider adding hardscape features such as a welcoming pathway or garden seating area. A visually appealing exterior will make buyers eager to see what lies beyond the front door.

Create Versatile Spaces

Modern buyers often prioritize flexibility and functionality in their homes. Ensure your historic property offers versatile spaces that can be adapted to various needs.

Consider transforming a small room into a home office or converting an attic or basement into a bonus living area. By showcasing the potential for different uses, you broaden the appeal of your home to a wider range of buyers.

Emphasize Energy Efficiency

Incorporating energy-efficient upgrades into your historic home can be an excellent selling point for modern buyers who are conscious of environmental impact and seek lower utility costs.

Replace outdated windows with energy-efficient alternatives, add insulation, and upgrade to energy-saving appliances and lighting fixtures. Highlight these features to demonstrate the cost-saving benefits of your home to potential buyers.

Offer Transferable Warranties

Reassure modern buyers by providing transferable warranties on recently replaced or repaired systems, such as the roof, HVAC, plumbing, or electrical. This gives buyers peace of mind, knowing they won’t have to deal immediately with significant maintenance or repair costs after purchasing the historic home.

Transferable warranties can also make your property more appealing than others on the market.

Stage with Modern Furnishings

When preparing to sell your historic home, staging can make a significant difference in attracting modern buyers. Consider staging your home with modern furnishings and decor that complement the historical elements. This allows potential buyers to envision how they can incorporate their own style into the home while maintaining its character. Professional staging can also help highlight the functionality and flow of each space.

Provide Detailed Historical Information

Modern buyers are often fascinated by the history behind historic homes. Provide detailed information about the property’s historical significance, including its architectural style, any notable past occupants, and any unique stories or events associated with the home.

Create a brochure or online listing showcasing the historical background, allowing potential buyers to appreciate the property’s rich heritage and unique charm.

Offer Flexible Financing Options

Selling a historic home can sometimes involve higher closing costs due to the potential need for specialized inspections or appraisals. To appeal to modern buyers, consider offering flexible financing options. Collaborate with experienced lenders working with historic properties and can provide specialized loan programs or guidance to potential buyers. By making financing more accessible, you can attract more interested buyers.

Selling a historic home to modern buyers requires a thoughtful approach that balances historical charm with contemporary preferences.

Remember, successful marketing, effective presentation, and strategic upgrades will help you sell quickly and maximize the value of your inherited house while preserving its historical significance.

When it comes to selling a damaged home, it can be difficult to make the best decision. While the ideal scenario is to make all necessary repairs before listing the home, sometimes it is simply not feasible.

When repairs are too costly and time-consuming, home sellers may consider selling their homes as-is. Here are 10 tips to help you make the most of selling a damaged house as-is.

1. Know Your Options

Before making a decision, consider all of your options. Depending on the house’s condition, you may be able to make repairs and list it for sale on the open market. You could also look into a home improvement loan, or even a cash-out refinance to cover the costs of repairs. If none of these options are available to you, selling the home as-is may be your best bet.

2. Research Market Conditions

Before proceeding with a sale, you should research the current market conditions. If the housing market is sluggish, you may be better off waiting until the market improves before selling. On the other hand, if the market is hot, selling your home as-is may be a smart move.

3. Price It Right

When pricing a damaged home for sale, you should factor in the cost of repairs. Avoid pricing it too low, as this will leave money on the table. Instead, you should price it to accommodate the repairs that need to be made.

Accurate house pricing is the number one factor for getting it sold!

4. Find the Right Buyer

When selling a damaged home, you should look for buyers that are interested in a fixer-upper. Look for cash buyers or investors who are comfortable with the repairs that need to be made. A real estate agent may be able to help you find the right buyer.

5. Make the Necessary Disclosures

When selling a damaged home, you must make the necessary disclosures to potential buyers. Be honest about the condition of the home and provide any materials that may be necessary, such as inspection reports. This will help to protect you from any potential legal issues in the future.

6. Offer Incentives

When selling a damaged home, you should consider offering incentives to potential buyers. For example, you could offer to cover closing costs or offer a home warranty. These incentives could be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful sales.

7. Consider an Assumable Loan

If you have a loan on the home, you may consider offering an assumable loan to the buyer. This could be a great way to make the sale more attractive to potential buyers, as they won’t have to go through the process of qualifying for a loan.

8. Make Minor Repairs

It may be worth doing if you can make minor repairs without breaking the bank. This could help make the home more attractive to potential buyers and increase the chances of a successful sale.

9. Leave Major Repairs for the Buyer

Major repairs should be left for the buyer to make. This could be a great way to save money, as buyers may be willing to make the repairs themselves in exchange for a lower price. Major repairs could include replacing the roof, foundation repairs, or updating the electrical system.

10. Consider a Quick Sale

You may consider a quick sale if you need to sell your damaged home quickly. A quick sale is when you sell the home to a cash buyer or investor willing to take the home as-is. This could be a great way to sell the home quickly and begin planning your move.

Selling a damaged house as-is is not always ideal, but it can be a viable option. Before making a decision, consider your options and research current market conditions. You should also make sure to price the home correctly and find the right buyer.

An as-is sale may be the best option if you need to sell the home quickly. Following these tips, you can make the most of selling a damaged house.

Selling a house can be stressful and time-consuming, but with the right strategies in place, it’s possible to attract more offers and ultimately get the best price for your property. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

1. Prepare Your Home for Sale

This means decluttering, deep cleaning, and making necessary repairs or updates. A well-maintained home will be more appealing to potential buyers and can also help increase the value of your property.

2. Avoid Selling As Is

One of the more significant mistakes some sellers make is to market their house as being sold as-is. Doing so brings with it a negative connotation. Buyers get the feeling a seller is either trying to hide something or sell a lemon.

3. Set the Right Price

It’s essential to price your home correctly from the start. If it’s too high, you may not receive any offers. You could potentially leave money on the table if it’s too low. Research recent sales of similar homes in your area to get an idea of the market value of your property.

You may also consider hiring a real estate agent or using online tools to help you determine the best price to set your home at.

4. Maximize Curb Appeal

The first thing potential buyers will see when they arrive at your home is the exterior, so making a good first impression is important. This means keeping the lawn well-manicured, power washing the exterior, and adding decorative touches like potted plants or a fresh coat of paint.

5. Stage the Interior

Home staging involves making the interior of your home look as inviting and appealing as possible. This can include arranging furniture, decluttering, and adding some personal touches like throw pillows or artwork.

6. Stand Out from the Competition

Make sure to highlight any unique features or amenities your home offers, like a pool, home gym, home office, or outdoor living space. In today’s market, buyers can scroll through countless options online, and you don’t want yours to get lost in the shuffle. 

7. Use High-Quality Marketing Materials

When marketing your home, it’s essential to use high-quality materials like professional photos and a well-written listing description. You may also want to consider using video or virtual tours to give potential buyers a better sense of what your home looks like.

8. Consider Alternative Methods

If you’re having trouble attracting offers through traditional methods, you may consider alternatives like selling to a company that buys homes for cash or listing your home on Airbnb.

9. Consider Rent-to-Own

This can be a win-win situation for both parties, as the buyer can build equity, and the seller can potentially sell their home for a higher price than they could have gotten through a traditional sale.

It also provides a steadier income stream, as the buyer will pay ongoing rent during the lease period. Rent-to-own can potentially attract a wider pool of buyers, including those who may not qualify for a traditional mortgage.

10. Find the Right Real Estate Agent

Working with a skilled and experienced real estate agent can be a great way to get more offers on your home. Look for an agent with a track record of success and consider using a discount real estate broker to save on commissions.

11. Host Plenty of Open Houses

Open houses allow potential buyers to see your home in person, which can be a lot more informative than only viewing photos online. While hosting open houses can be a bit of a pain, it is well worth ensuring buyers get a true feel for your home.

12. Advertise Your Home on Additional Channels

If more traditional methods aren’t getting you the offers you’re looking for, post ads on various channels like social media, local classifieds, and real estate websites. Your perfect buyer may just stumble across it!

13. Offer Incentives

Consider offering incentives to potential buyers, like covering closing costs or offering a home warranty. If you’re having a particularly tough time selling your home and want to sell it quickly, it may be worth sweetening the deal for your buyers to set it apart from the competition.

14. Address Worries

Address any potential concerns or objections buyers may have, such as foundation issues or an open insurance claim. Determining what may deter buyers is a significant first step in figuring out how to put their minds at ease.

15. Offer a Flexible Closing Date

Offering a flexible closing date can make your home more attractive to buyers who may be in a hurry to move, or conversely, buyers who need to wait until a lease is up or their home sells to close on your home. If you can be flexible, your home may be one of very few on the market that buyers with specific time constraints can consider.

16. Use Your Network

Get recommendations from friends, family, and other contacts to help spread the word about your home and attract more offers. You never know whose coworker, friend, or child may be looking to buy a house!

Following these tips can increase the chances of attracting more offers when selling your house and ultimately get the best price for your property.

When a house hits the market, listings tend to focus on physical details such as when it was built, architectural style, square footage, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.

But many other factors contribute to a home’s value — and some may be beyond your control.

These things can become important when you’re selling because they can influence the days on the market or DOM for short. Higher DOM will have a direct correlation to the sale price of your property. Unfortunately, a high DOM will usually lead to a lower selling price.

If you plan on flipping a house this could become vital to know.

Here are nine unique things that influence property values.

1. Proximity to Stores and Restaurants

Homes located near good schools and green spaces have always been valued highly, but recent housing trends show properties close to popular chain stores and restaurants are also increasing in value.

For example, having a Starbucks or Trader Joe’s nearby is a big advantage.

2. The Neighborhood

Your neighborhood can positively impact your home’s value. There is no doubt it will influence the real estate appraisal.

If you have a homeowners association that provides lawn service, snow removal, a community swimming pool, or other services, it may boost your home’s value.

On the other hand, if you live in a neighborhood with dilapidated properties and numerous foreclosures, your property value could decrease. Neighborhoods with a high number of registered sex offenders also tend to have lower property values.

3. The Street Name 

Homes located on numbered streets, such as First or Second, tend to sell for less than comparable homes on streets with names. However, in major cities, such as New York, homes on numbered streets may sell for more because of historical or elite connotations.

Even an address’ suffix can play a role. Boulevards, places, and roads tend to sell for more than streets and drives.

4. Updates and Renovations

Although some prospective buyers are looking to flip a house, most are looking for a turnkey property. Homes with renovated kitchens and updated primary bedroom suites tend to be valued higher.

If you’re looking to list your home, consult with a local real estate expert to find out if the time and expense of a renovation will be worth the investment. Know the best questions to ask a Realtor before you call a contractor or tear down any walls.

5. Parking Accessibility and Garage

Homes with a garage and ample street parking tend to have higher values. Covered parking in particular commands more money than homes with only driveway or street parking.

If you own a home in a large city, your property will likely be more valuable if you live close to a train or bus station. Future buyers will appreciate the convenience, and they’ll be willing to pay for it.

6. Energy Efficiency and Smart Tech

There was a time when video-camera doorbells, voice-activated lighting, and heat activation from a cellphone seemed like features from a futuristic movie. But these smart-tech devices are becoming increasingly common and desirable in homes.

Beyond convenience, smart tech offers homeowners peace of mind, and buyers are willing to pay for that.

Buyers also want energy-efficient homes that reduce utility costs over time. Buying a home is one of the most significant purchases a person will make in their lifetime, and it pays to have long-term cost savings.

7. Trees and Landscaping

A home’s curb appeal can positively or negatively impact its value. A home with established trees and gardens will likely sell for more than a home with a patchy strip of grass.

If you’re looking to add value before selling, consider adding low-maintenance landscaping. Plant a couple of trees in strategic places. That will help make a good first impression on buyers.

8. A Haunted History

Some buyers may be fascinated by true crime podcasts or ghost-hunting shows, but that doesn’t mean they’ll want to buy a home with close ties to either.

Homes that were the site of hauntings, infamous crimes, deaths, or murders are harder to sell, which lowers their value over time. If you aren’t bothered by a home’s past, you may be able to snag a haunted house at a great price. 

Likewise, homes located next to a cemetery tend to linger on the market. But living next to a cemetery comes with perks you may not have considered. Not only are the areas quieter, but the grounds are also well maintained, making a cemetery a peaceful and beautiful neighborhood.

9. Market Competition 

The market will ultimately decide how much you can buy or sell a home for. Prices are based on the basic economic principle of supply and demand. If there are more homes on the market than buyers are looking to purchase, values will drop, making it a buyer’s market.

If there are more buyers than available homes, prices will rise, creating a seller’s market. If you’re a buyer struggling to afford a down payment in a seller’s market, it might be time to learn how a side hustle can help you buy a home.

Some sellers can’t wait for the market to turn in their favor. If you’re selling your home, take a look at the best websites for selling your home by owner for tips that can help your property stand out from the crowd and turn a large profit.

Final Thoughts

When buying or selling real estate there are numerous factors that can influence property values. It is crucial to have this information so you don’t make mistakes whether you are purchasing or setting a correct price when selling.

Hopefully, some of the tips we have provided here have been useful.

Tips to Prepare Your House to Get Sold

Are you getting ready to sell your home? Home sale preparation is one of the most vital tasks when selling a home.

Homes are rarely ready to hit the market as is. Most of them need a slight (or major) makeover to attract potential buyers. 

There are certain tricks of the trade that real estate pros use in order to quickly sell a home at a desirable price. These tactics will cost money upfront but will ultimately help increase a seller’s overall profit.

The following tips range from low-cost updates to full-on renovations. Whether your budget is large or small, these strategies are sure to help raise your returns.

Although this advice is mainly geared toward homeowners, it can be used for other people as well (e.g., investors using a 1031 exchange to quickly sell an apartment building). 

Clean, Declutter, Depersonalize

Decluttering and depersonalizing your home can help potential buyers visualize themselves in the space. Remember, you are moving on and leaving this home behind. The goal now is to emotionally detach and present buyers with a blank slate. 

In addition to giving the place a good scrub, pack up personal belongings such as photographs, knickknacks, family heirlooms, and other decor. Basically, remove anything that will distract from the sale. 

Regarding items you no longer want to keep, consider selling or donating them to a local charity such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

All other items can be put in storage or tucked away in small boxes in your cabinets and closets. Although this may seem cumbersome, consider it a jumpstart on packing. 

Give it a Fresh Coat of Paint

Painting is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to increase the value of a home. At a 107% return on investment, repainting the interior walls has one of the highest values in terms of home improvements. 

When repainting a home, research common and popular colors. Keep in mind that this is not about your personal style but what potential buyers will like. The exterior should have a fresh coat of neutral paint, and the interior walls should be free of any chips or cracks. 

It’s best to stick to inoffensive colors such as off-white, eggshell, or “greige.” But not all colors work for all rooms. For smaller spaces, pastels and stark whites can make them seem larger.

For larger, potentially alienating rooms, darker, more intimate colors can help bring the room in.

Don’t forget the trim and other adornments. Painting the crown molding the same color as the walls can make a room feel bigger, and painting it a contrasting color can make it cozier. 

Stage The Home

Staging a home has been shown to increase the odds of selling it for a higher price. You do not necessarily need to stage every single room, but consider doing important areas such as the master bedroom and living room. 

You also do not need to remove all of the furniture in your home to stage it. Hyper-stylized items like a bright yellow couch or zebra rug can be distracting, though, so consider moving them into storage or at least out of sight.

Temporarily decorate the home with furniture and decor that’s ordinary yet in style. 

Make Renovations and Repairs

Depending on the condition of a property, the seller may need to make some repairs to sell the place. A leaky roof, some cracked tiles, or a faulty HVAC system could all make selling your house much harder. 

Other times, a room’s features may simply be outdated, and making renovations would help increase the home’s market value. Remodeling the kitchen is a common route many homeowners take because most buyers want a nice kitchen.

Installing stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and new cabinets can transform the space into an inviting room for cooking and hosting. 

Financing renovations can seem tricky, but homeowners can use plenty of creative options to achieve their remodeling goals.

There are different lines of credit that owners can tap into, like credit cards and second mortgages, but make sure to pay attention to the interest rates.

If you don’t have the money to pay off the renovations immediately, then you will want a card or loan with a low rate. Otherwise, you could end up paying more on interest overall. 

If going through the process of making renovations isn’t for you, but you still want to give potential buyers the option to make updates, you could offer seller concessions in the form of credits toward renovations and repairs. 

Increase Your Curb Appeal 

First impressions matter. The outside of a property and the driveway are what buyers will immediately notice. In addition to painting the exterior of a home, redoing the landscaping and/or the driveway can help increase curb appeal.

If you’re dealing with a particularly run-down house or a fixer-upper, then decluttering the front yard and mowing the lawn could do wonders for your selling efforts. Power cleaning a driveway or installing a new one can make a huge difference as well. 

Do a Photoshoot 

Once you’re done preparing the home, make sure your listing properly showcases the property. It would be a shame to put in tons of effort only to have a property sit on the market due to unflattering or bland pictures.

Listings with professional photos have even been shown to sell homes up to 32% faster than homes with low-quality images. 

When preparing your home for sale, it’s all about emphasizing the details that will capture a buyer’s attention.

Going the extra mile will show people you are serious about selling and will likely increase the final sale price. If you’re working with a real estate agent, be sure to ask for their advice on staging and renovations.

They should be able to point you in the right direction and offer references for contractors, photographers, landscapers, and more.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you have enjoyed these tips on how to get your home ready to sell and can put them to good use.

The more you can do to get your home prepared for the real estate market, the greater the odds you will sell your house fast for the most money possible.

Never sell yourself short by putting your house up for sale before you’re ready.