Shop First, List Later?

You know the phenomenon of finding love when you least expect it? Countless people who met the “one” when they weren’t even looking? It happens in real estate too! You have no intention of moving until you see the perfect house and the next thing you know, you’re packing.  The fairytale few can purchase without selling first, and it’s happily ever after. But for the rest of us, our next down payment is tied up in our current house, meaning we can’t buy until it sells. 

So what should you do if a house comes up for sale that you could see yourself in? Call us ASAP! We want to show you that house! But we also need to talk about yours. 

Sellers expect us to qualify your buying position before we schedule a showing. We can't write an offer with a home sale contingency if your home is a month away from ready. We’ll need to discuss action items, timeline and strategy. Today’s staging standards require a decluttered, minimalist look (download our listing preparation guide here). You may have to rent a storage unit and arrange for excess furniture removal. You’ll need touch-up painting, pressure washing, landscaping and possibly repairs. Family, pets and busy schedules compound the workload! 

"But I'm not selling, so this doesn't apply to me"..... or does it? What if your dream house came on the market next week? If you wait to call us until the perfect house comes up for sale, it may be too late. Good listings sell quickly and often with multiple offers. You can't compete until your house is ready to sell.

"But I wouldn't sell without knowing where I'm going next." We know, and we are highly skilled at negotiating contract terms for back-to-back closings... like post-closing occupancy.   

Moral of the story: if you're browsing Zillow listings, you should have already called us! You’re not wasting time, and there’s no obligation. It’s always the right time to discuss how to prepare your home to sell, even if it's months away. True love could be just around the corner... or right down the street!