What Does It Really Cost to Sell a Home?

by Ann Hayward 01/26/2020

Believe it or not, selling a home may prove to be expensive if you are not careful. However, if you understand the costs associated with selling a house, you can budget accordingly.

Now, let's take a look at three expenses that home sellers commonly encounter.

1. Home Repairs

Cracked siding, floor damage and other home issues are worrisome, particularly for an individual who wants to sell his or her residence as quickly as possible. Fortunately, if you budget for home repairs, you can address these issues before you list your residence.

Oftentimes, it helps to conduct a home inspection prior to embarking on the house selling journey. A home inspection enables a property owner to gain expert insights into any underlying problems with his or her house. Then, the property owner can prioritize assorted home repairs and complete house improvements as needed.

2. Home Cleaning

A messy home is unlikely to garner buyers' attention. On the other hand, an individual who hires a professional cleaning company to improve his or her residence's appearance may be better equipped than ever before to enjoy a successful house selling experience.

Hiring a professional cleaning company may be costly. Yet if you shop around for home cleaning companies in your city or town, you can find a cleaning business that matches your budget.

Don't forget that you can clean your house on your own, too. If you purchase cleaning supplies and enlist family members and friends to help you clean your residence, you could enhance your residence's appearance without breaking your budget.

3. Home Staging

The cost of staging a house varies based on the size of a residence, the extent of the staging and other factors. But if you allocate time and resources to declutter your residence, you may be able to avoid the costs associated with house staging altogether.

To declutter your residence, you should try to remove any unwanted items from your home. You can list these items online or host a yard sale to eliminate clutter and earn extra cash. Or, you can donate your unwanted items to a local charity or give them to family members or friends.

As you get set to sell your house, you may want to hire a real estate agent as well. With a real estate agent at your side, you can cut down on your house selling expenses and get the help you need to achieve your desired results.

A real estate agent understands that each house is different, and he or she crafts a custom strategy for each home seller. Next, a real estate agent and a home seller work together to put this plan into action. And if a seller ever has concerns or questions during the house selling journey, a real estate agent is happy to respond to them.

Plan ahead for home selling costs – you will be glad you did. Because if you budget properly, you can put yourself in a great position to streamline the home selling journey.

Tips On Selling

Selling Your Home

About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]