If you’re looking to buy or sell (or both) in the new year, you’ll want to start preparing now. From getting your current place on the market to finding a new home that suits your needs, there’s a lot of work that goes into moving – especially if you’re looking to maximize your results. The earlier you start getting ready, the more successful you’ll be once you’re ready to hit the market.
In this blog, I’ll go over some of the important steps you’ll need to take if you’re looking to move in the coming months. Let’s get started.
I Want to Move Next Year. When Should I Get Started?
Unless you’re a first-time home buyer, you’ll have to separate real estate processes to get ready for (buying and selling, to be specific).
Although these two transactions can go hand-in-hand in many ways, it’s important to prepare for them on an individual basis. By taking a more focused and intentional approach, you’ll have the best odds of a smooth, top dollar sale and seamless purchase.
So, when should you begin the process? If you’ll be both buying and selling a house, six months is a great head start. You’ll have enough time to work through the list of pre-market preparations without getting overwhelmed.
Of course, everybody is unique, and your road to the market may look different than someone else’s. In any case, the earlier you get started, the better.
Hoping to make the most of your upcoming home sale? Check out these other blogs for even more helpful advice.
- How to Get Your South Etobicoke Home Ready For Sale
- How to Sell Your House in a Buyer’s Market
- Should You Sell Your Home Before Buying a New One?
Step One
No matter your specific goals, be it upsizing or downsizing, the first step in your move is to seek out a great real estate agent.
As your guide to the market, the agent you choose to hire will have a major impact on your results. The right professional will also make the buying and selling processes feel a whole lot easier!
When it comes to selling, your Realtor is essentially the pilot of your home sale. It’s their job to help you get the best result possible. Without the right approach from the right agent, you could wind up selling your home for less than it’s worth, have it spend weeks or months on the market, or not be able to sell it at all.
During the buying process, your agent will find opportunities that match your needs and budget, while filtering out homes that aren’t a good fit. Once you find a place you love, they’ll help you make a strong offer that appeals to the seller while still protecting your bottom line.
How to Prepare For Buying a House
There’s a whole lot more that goes into buying a house than simply attending a few showings and placing an offer. If you really want to find a great home, you’ll need to put in some prep work before you head to the market.
Outline Your Must-Haves
First things first, you can’t start house hunting properly until you know what you need from your next home. The last thing you want to do is buy a new place only to realize it doesn’t fit your family as well as you thought it would.
Start by listing the essential features you need in your next home. As you do this, it’s crucial to also consider what your needs will be 5–10 years into the future. Will your family be growing? Will your kids be leaving for university? Thinking ahead will help you choose a house that suits your needs right now and down the line.
Know What You Can Afford
Next, you need to determine what you can afford to spend on your next home. An easy way to do this is by getting pre-approved for a mortgage.
When you apply for a mortgage pre-approval, the bank takes a close look at key details of your personal finances, like assets (including your current home), debt, income, and savings. Once they get an idea of your overall financial health, they’ll determine what they’re willing to lend you for your next purchase.
With a pre-approval in your back pocket, you’ll have a fairly clear idea of what you can afford to spend on your next property.
Pay Off Debts
The better your finances are, the better your mortgage terms will be. With that in mind, getting your finances in order is a good idea before applying for a mortgage pre-approval. This includes taking steps to improve your creditworthiness by paying off any existing debts, not making any major purchases, and not opening any new credit accounts.
On the hunt for a family home in South Etobicoke? Check out these other blog posts for related insights.
- Your Guide to Upsizing in Etobicoke
- What South Etobicoke Neighbourhoods are Best For Families?
- South Etobicoke’s Best School Districts
How to Prepare For Selling a House
Selling a house arguably requires even more preparation than buying. Regardless of what shape your home is in, there will always be things to do before it’s ready for the market.
Purge the Place
Decluttering is a super important part of selling your home. Buyers are looking for an open and blank canvas where they can picture living and thriving – that’s hard to do in a home that’s full of stuff or overly personal items.
Start by clearing out any bulky, old, or unnecessary belongings. You can create separate piles for things based on whether you want to donate, recycle or throw them away.
Make Repairs
Once you’ve cleared out some of the clutter in your home, it’s time to turn your attention to any repairs or projects you’ve been putting off. While it may seem counterintuitive to fix up the place right before you move out, certain home improvements can actually have a really great payoff when you sell. Your agent will guide you on which repairs are absolutely necessary and which aren’t worth the time.
Be Routine Ready
Once your home is on the market, you’ll need to be super diligent about keeping it clean and showing-ready at all times. Showings can happen on short notice, so you may not always have time to tidy up beforehand.
With that in mind, it’s helpful to get yourself (and your family) in this headspace sooner rather than later. Creating daily routines to keep your house in tip top shape will make it much easier to adjust once your home is officially on the market.
Start Your Journey
Looking for an experienced real estate agent who can help you make the most of your upcoming move? Hey, I’m Melissa. With more than two decades of experience in South Etobicoke, I can help you make the most of your home sale and purchase, no matter what’s happening in the market.
Ready to start your move? I can help! Call or text me at 647-239-7587 or email melissa@southetobicoke.com to get started.
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