How To Successfully Sell A Home Remotely

Kyle Hiscock

Kyle Hiscock | Greater Rochester NY Real Estate | Pittsford NY Realtor at RE/MAX Realty Group

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How To Successfully Sell A Home Remotely

How To Successfully Sell A Home Remotely

Selling a home can be a very stressful experience.  Selling a home remotely can be even more stressful.  There are many reasons why a seller maybe selling their home from a distance.  Whether it’s due to a job relocation or to be closer to family members, selling a home remotely is not the same as selling a home when living in the local area.

It’s extremely important the proper steps are taken to prepare when selling a home remotely.  This is no different than selling a home while living locally, however, there are additional things that need to be considered.

In addition to making sure the proper steps are taken when selling a home remotely, it’s also very important to have a strong “team” of local professionals in many different industries to help make the selling process easier.  This may include a top Realtor, handyman, attorney, and other professionals.

This guide on how to successfully sell a home remotely can help make the home selling process not seem as stressful and also ensure that the home gets sold in a timely manner.  

Let Others Know The Home Is For Sale

One of the biggest concerns that sellers normally have when selling a home remotely is regarding the safety of their home.  If the home is occupied by tenants, there is the concern that the house could be destroyed by the tenants.  If the home is vacant, there is the concern that the house could be vandalized.  When selling a vacant home there are several precautions that should be taken to help increase the chances that a home remains safe.

A smart thing to do when selling a home remotely is make sure that several people in the local area know that the home is for sale.  This may include a local neighborhood watch and also the neighboring homes.  In many communities, the local residents will keep a close eye on a vacant property as they do not want crime and problems in their own neighborhood.  It’s also suggested that when selling a home remotely that the local authorities, such as police, are aware the home is being sold.

Plan A Trip To The Area Periodically, If Possible

While it’s not always easy, when selling a home remotely, it’s suggested to plan periodic trips to the home.  These trips should be used to check in on the safety and condition of the home but also to check in with the “team” of local professionals.  This is a good opportunity to sit down with the Realtor to discuss the activity on the home, pricing, and feedback.  Another good reason to plan a trip to visit the home is it gives a seller the opportunity to visit the other comparable homes that are for sale.

If there has been consistent feedback from potential buyers, it maybe a good idea to have the handyman address the negative feedback, if applicable.  Certainly if a buyer didn’t care for the location of the home it’s obvious this cannot be corrected.  If a buyer didn’t care for the room colors or the condition of the carpeting, these are items that can be corrected for a minimal amount of money.

Understanding The Local Real Estate Is Critical When Selling A Home Remotely

Understanding The Local Real Estate Is Critical When Selling A Home Remotely

Understand The Local Real Estate Market

Depending on how long a seller has been away, they may or may not have a strong understanding of the local real estate market.  It’s extremely important that when selling a home remotely, a seller has a strong understanding of the local real estate market.

The most effective way to learn about the local real estate market is by talking with an experienced Realtor.  A top Realtor should be able to help a seller identify what comparable properties have been selling for, how long they’ve been taking to sell, and whether the market is a buyers market or sellers market.

Selecting a top Realtor to sell a home can be extremely difficult if not done correctly.  There are specific questions that sellers should be asking when interviewing Realtors to sell their home.  By asking the correct questions, this can help ensure a top producer is chosen!

Determine The Motivation Level

When selling a home remotely the seller needs to determine what their motivation level is.  The motivation level often determines what price a home is listed for sale at.  One of the most common reasons sellers give for overpricing their home is because they have time to sell and are not in a hurry.

When selling a home remotely, in most cases, the seller is in a hurry to get the home sold.  Pricing the home to reflect the desire for a quick sale is a good idea.  Having to worry about a home that is thousands of miles away can be very stressful and normally is the last thing a seller wants when selling a home remotely and will price their home very aggressively.  Certainly this is not always possible due to the existing mortgage balance of the home.

Who Should Be On The Local “Team” Of Professionals?

When selling a home remotely, it’s very important that a strong support system is lined up.  There are several different professionals that a seller should consider having on their “team” when selling their home remotely.

Below are several professionals, in different industries, that a home seller should have on their “team” when selling a home remotely!

When Selling A Home Remotely Having A Team Of Local Professionals Is Important

When Selling A Home Remotely Having A Team Of Local Professionals Is Important

Top Producing Realtor

Selecting a top Realtor to sell a home is important whether or not the home owner lives locally or is selling their home remotely.  When selling a home remotely it becomes even more important.  A seller who is not familiar with who the top producing local Realtors are should consider consulting with a relocation company.  Many relocation companies have high standards as to what they expect from the Realtors that they work with.  There is a good chance that the Realtor a relocation company chooses is one of the top producing Realtors in the neighborhood where the home is being sold.

Most of the top producing Realtors have a very strong skill set and understanding of the newest technologies.  There are certain expectations that sellers should have of their Realtor when selling a home.  When selling a home remotely, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the importance of communication and the methods in which the Realtor plans on communicating.  When selling a home remotely, the Realtor is often the person who will be in communication the most with the seller.

In addition to the communication methods another thing to consider is how they plan on having documentation signed and exchanged.  When selling a home remotely, a seller should be looking for a Realtor who has experience using digital signature software, such as Authentisign or DocuSign.  Digital signature software can save a seller hours of time and effort of faxing documents back and forth.  It also keeps the appearance of the documents clean and neat, instead of distorted and blurry like faxing.

Efficient Attorney

Having a good attorney when selling a home remotely is also important.  An attorney is another professional that will be in communication with a seller throughout the real estate transaction.  One of the most important things to consider when choosing an attorney to handle the sale is how savvy they are.  Believe it or not, many attorneys still don’t utilize e-mail and only communicate via facsimile, also known as fax.

The attorney who handles the closing should be able to send the documents needed for the closing to a seller, no matter their location.  Nowadays, sellers rarely attend the closing, even if they are located locally.  Most sellers will sign the required documents before the closing occurs and their attorney will be their representation at the closing table.  It’s important when selling a home remotely, the seller asks how the attorney communicates as well as how they plan on obtaining the required signatures on the documents required for closing.

Quality Maintenance Professional

It’s important that when selling a home remotely, a quality maintenance professional or “handyman” is hired.  It’s possible that this professional will be needed before the home is listed for sale as well as once the home is under contract.

Sellers need to know before selling a home that it’s very important to make sure a home is properly prepared.  If there are small repairs or touch-ups that need to be completed, having a quality handyman can make sure these items get done before the home hits the market.

Another important reason to have a quality maintenance professional or handyman is in the event there are repairs that need to be addressed due to the home inspection.  Home inspectors are likely to find “issues” with every home they inspect.  Certainly there are some home inspection findings that are more common than others, however, the possibility of having to make repairs does exist.  Making sure a quality handyman is readily available to address any issues can help keep the transaction moving along.

Final Thoughts

Selling a home remotely is stressful, period.  Anyone who says otherwise is not being honest.  The inability of being able to keep an eye on the home and also the inability of being able to keep an eye on the work being completed can create an uneasy feeling.  It’s critical that when selling a home from a long distance, a seller hires professionals who will get the job done.

Other Top Home Selling Resources

If you’re thinking of selling your Rochester, NY home remotely, the above tips should give you a good understanding on what you should expect.  If you’re living in Rochester, NY and have a home to sell in another real estate community, these tips should also help!  Whether you’re selling a Rochester, NY home remotely or selling a home in another community while living in Rochester, NY, contact me and I’d love to help make the transaction as smooth as possible!

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About the authors:  The above article “How To Successfully Sell A Home Remotely” was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise.

We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY.

Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.

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