Thinking about putting your Omaha house on the market? Before you do, learn more about the unexpected costs home sellers can face when trying to sell their homes. You might be a little surprised at costs related to successfully selling a home!
Many people think that they will simply call up a real estate agent in Omaha, tell them a bit about their property, and poof… it will be listed and a buyer will be found! However, the process is rarely this easy. A lot can go into a successful MLS listing. Things happen behind the scenes and lots of tasks are completed by both the seller and the real estate agent. With many traditional home sales, the seller will often find themselves spending more money than expected upfront, in addition to the costs and commissions that must be paid when the property closes. Below are just a few of the expenses that sellers sometimes overlook when listing their homes on the MLS.
Cleaning Costs
No matter how clean your house is, there is always something else that can be done. You can wind up spending money on cleaning products as well as giving up your time to make sure the house is as spotless as possible. Many sellers opt for a professional home cleaning, along with specialized treatments for the carpets and exterior power washing. But the job isn’t over after the cleaning crew leaves. As the seller, you’ll want to keep a clean home for all the people who want to come to see it, and sometimes their agent will call on very short notice. In order to accommodate as many potential buyers as possible, you’ll really want to be able to show the property at a moment’s notice.
Staging Expenses
If you take a look at a few listings, you’ll be able to see different approaches to photography and staging. Homes that are staged well perform better and understandably get more attention than homes that are simply photographed as-is. Staging can be done by a professional or you can invest in a few decorative items to help make the home feel more inviting. Keep in mind that your taste may not be for everyone, so it’s best to keep things simple, classic, and neutral. This is where the eye of a designer can really come in handy. To save some of the expense, some home sellers will professionally stage just a couple of rooms – like the living room and kitchen.
Storage Fees
If you have a lot of stuff but nowhere to hide it away, you may want to consider renting out a storage unit for a few months. Not only will you be able to declutter, but it will give you a jump start on your upcoming move. Boxing up your unneeded items now will save you time when you move into your new house. Cleaning up the house, removing any personal belongings, and eliminating clutter will make finding a buyer much easier for you.
Extra Marketing
With some real estate agents, you may get a listing and minimal marketing efforts. For things like premium listings and professional photography, you may need to pay more. While being able to sell your house quickly in Omaha is often beneficial, having to pay for extra marketing in order to do it isn’t always expected.
Time
Some sellers fail to factor in the cost of their own time when trying to sell a house in Omaha. From the cleaning to the repairs to preparing your house for property showings, putting your house on the Omaha MLS can require a lot of work! Be sure to factor in lost wages as well as time away from your family when you are thinking about all of the costs home sellers face in Omaha. Your time is valuable and if selling your house will require you to spend a lot of it, you may want to think about another option.
A direct sale of your house in Omaha can help you avoid the costs listed above. It can also save you time and it may even help you quickly resolve a difficult situation with a problem property (if that’s something you’re dealing with!).