10 Tips for Managing the Stress of Home Selling

Experts agree that selling a home is one of the most stressful things you can do in life.  It is right up there with divorce, getting fired and having a child.  As exciting as buying and selling a home is, there is also a lot of stress involved.

I pride myself on making my clients experience as stress-free as possible.  But here are some additional tips you can do to help keep your home sale experience more on the fun side than the stressful side.

Home selling involves a whole list of logistical challenges like scheduling showings, waiting and reviewing offers, and preparing to move. On top of that, there’s the uncertainty about when you’ll sell and whether you’ll be satisfied with the outcome and the price you get for your home.  Will it be enough to enable you to move on to the next stage of your life?

There is a lot of things you can do but you also need to be prepared for the waiting.  You will be waiting to hear from me for showings, waiting for offers, waiting for the buyers to compete the home inspection and get their financing approved.  You will be waiting about six weeks from the time we accept and offer until the actual closing.  So, the anxiety of things falling apart up until the closing can be difficult for some.

Here is a list of things you can do to reduce the stress.

1.     Hire Karen Packard Real Estate to list your home.  I understand the stress of selling and I will do everything I can to reduce that stress.  I also have a list of local resources to help you with anything from junk removal to selling extra furniture if needed.

2.     Hire movers ahead of time.  Some moving companies book out in advance.  Don’t wait until the last minute to arrange for a company to help you with the large, heavy items.

3.     Start early.  If you have lived in your home for many years, you will have accumulated a lot of items that need to be throw away, given to charity, donated or recycled.  Why not get this done before listing?  If you are not taking it with you to the next location, it is a great way to feel prepared and reduce stress by doing this prior to listing the house for sale.

4.     It can be extremely stressful when getting ready to sell if you think you have to preform major renovations.  Call me first!  You may be able to get your house ready without needing to do the costly renovations you are considering.  I know what buyers want and what you will get as a return on your investment.  Talk to me before undergoing any major renovations just for the purpose of selling.  We can discuss together which projects are necessary and which will be a waste of time and money.

5.     Another way to reduce stress is to discuss your options for showings and open houses.  I work with my clients to manage a schedule that works for you, your family and your personal schedule.  We need to allow buyers to view the house but I can work with you to arrange windows for showings to make it easier for your family.

6.     I also try to make the showings as low stress as possible.  For open houses, I will bring everything needed, turn on all the lights and prep the house.  At the end of the open house, I will make sure all the doors are locked, lights are off and I even bring a clean up box with me to make sure there is no mess left behind while I am there.  I want you to come home and feel relaxed after I have been in the house.

7.     I will give you a list of things you can do ahead to prepare on your side.  Having a checklist of what you should do will help manage your expectations of how much should be done ahead of time.

8.     Come up with a plan of where to go during showings.  If you have a friend of family member that lives locally, check with them to see if you can hang out there for a bit while buyers are at the house.  Having a plan of where to go, will make it easier than trying to come up with a plan each day.

9.     Plan some self-care time.  Making sure to take a break from the stress of selling a home to enjoy life is important.  Take the dog for a walk, bring the kids to the park, enjoy a workout, or have a date night with your loved ones.  Don’t make your house sale all consuming.

10.  Keep the stress in perspective.  You have decided to move for a reason.  Keep your focus on why you wanted to sell.  Selling a house is a lot to do, but it is only for a couple months.  Once the house is sold, you will be onto the next stage you have been planning for.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at kpackardrealtor@gmail.com