How to Sell a House by Owner in Pennsylvania

Can I Sell My Home in Pennsylvania Myself?

Is It Advisable to Sell My House on My Own in Pennsylvania?

If you should sell your home by owner, the answer is yes. Many people are selling their homes by owner, and the main reason is that it is a huge success. Real estate commissions in the US surpassed $100 billion in 2021. By selling FSBO, you will save thousands in commissions. You will also retain complete control of your transaction. Finally, FSBO of sale through a reliable real estate agent will help you achieve desirable results fast. We buy houses fast Allentown, and our main goal is to make the selling process of your home as simple as possible. We are an experienced team and know exactly what buyers are looking for. Our guidance will show you how to sell a house by owner in Pennsylvania.

Benefits of Selling a House By Owner

• Savings on Commission: Pennsylvania home sellers spend around $16,000 on real estate commission (based on the median home values in Pennsylvania). Selling your own home in Pennsylvania can help you save about $8,000 on the listing agent commission.
• Speed to Market: You can sell your house whenever you are ready. You need not hunt for a real estate agent to begin the selling process. You can go ahead with your sale in your own time and enter the market as soon as you want to sell your home.
• Control Over Transaction: You interact directly with buyers or buyer agents. This reduces the intermediaries involved in the transaction.
  

Risks of Selling a House by Owner

• No Help When You Need: If you need help with paperwork, inspections, negotiations, or closing, you’re on your own as a For Sale by Owner. If things get tough, you must rely on instincts and research as you must go through the entire process alone.
• No MLS Exposure: MLS is the most essential tool an agent has. Selling a house by an owner means limited exposure, so there will be less competition for your property. That will likely reduce the selling price. Homes on the MLS sold for 17% more than homes not on the MLS. Using this method, you may not have a large market as you would working with an agent.

Successfully Selling a House without a Realtor in Pennsylvania

If you have decided you want to sell your house on your own, you should ensure you have all the tools necessary to make it possible. Selling a house on your own requires you to have conducted all the necessary research. Here are standard pointers to follow if you want to sell your house.

1. Decide when is the best time to sell

Knowing when the best time is to sell a home will make it simpler to sell, and you are likely to earn more from the sale than when the houses are in low demand. June is considered the best time to sell your home. Buyers usually prefer looking for properties in the spring and summer months. People also look to buy houses with lush landscapes, backyards, and gardens during these months. Because of the state's geology, an estimated 40% of Pennsylvania homes have radon levels above Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. If you have a radon mitigation system, it will give buyers peace of mind about their health and safety. At the very least, perform an at-home radon test and let buyers know the result. However, all-in-all, the best time to sell your house is whenever you are ready. Timing the market is a complex strategy. Mortgage rates are rising, and Pennsylvania home prices are expected to cool down in 2023. Real estate commissions are declining. So, if you’re ready to sell, list now.

2. Price Your Home Competitively

The listing price of your home is the most crucial factor determining how quickly your home sells. Whether you are selling a house by owner or not, the listing price is vital in attracting a vast pool of buyers. The purpose of your listing price is to attract buyers. It should be considered something other than your final selling price.

If you price your house too low, you will get many offers but will likely go for the highest bid or counter them. That will make you sell at market price. If you price too high, you will get little interest. That will make you drop the price and eventually sell at market price.

Learning how to price your home is essential. Even if you sell independently, you can consult a real estate agent to help evaluate your home. We buy houses Pennsylvania, and we know what can attract buyers. Whether you are selling a repaired home or “as is,” we know the best pricing points you should use.

3. Prepare Your Home for Sale

This is another crucial step that should be followed by anyone who wants to know how to sell a house by owner in Pennsylvania. People, apart from the price of your home, will always look at the overall condition. If your home isn’t in good condition, you aren’t likely to sell. Here are a few tips you can use to prepare your Pennsylvania house for sale.

• Repaint Neutral: Neutral colors appeal to a broader range of buyers.
• Clean: Scrub, shampoo, wash, and deep clean every nook of your house.
• Improve Curb Appeal: Clear landscape or fresh plant flowers. First impressions are everything!
• Stage: Hire a professional stager or organize your furniture to make rooms look neat and spacious.
• Declutter & Depersonalize: You want the buyers to imagine their own life in your house, not yours.
• Showcase Natural Light: Natural light helps. Ensure you have opened curtains and blinds. Make sure every room has ample sunlight, and add bulbs if necessary.
• Make Repairs: If there’s anything glaringly wrong, take care of it early. For instance, a squeaky doorknob will not be overlooked by potential buyers. It is best to get such defects fixed.

Making your home look its best self-works wonders when selling real estate in Pennsylvania by owner. Complement every room in a way that narrates a story, don’t let furniture consume all the space, and create a visually appealing first look.

4. Create an Appealing Property Description

The description of your home will determine the number of potential buyers you get. People look at the description of your home to get a rough idea about what you are offering. If you have the proper definition, you will have many people lining up to buy your home, and you will need to decide who.

• Craft a Catchy Headline: You only have a few seconds to grab the readers’ attention. So, keep your headline short and use descriptive words.
• Make an Opening Statement: Highlight the features of your property that could not fit in the headline. For instance, parking in city listings, mountain or lake views, etc.
• Choose Popular Adjectives: Listings that contain words like captivating, luxurious, impeccable, stainless, etc., are sold more than the ones that do not include them.
• Talk About Features: Mention name-brand appliances, type of flooring (cherry, walnut, etc.), energy-efficient devices like solar panels, wi-fi-enabled intelligent devices, etc.
• Mention Nearby Amenities: Talk about parks, schools, shopping places, and nearby recreational facilities.

Creating an appealing description is a step on how to sell a house by owner in Pennsylvania.

5. Fill Out Seller Disclosure in Pennsylvania

Apart from the psychological and physical things you should do to ensure you get a buyer for your home, there are legal things you must do. It is mandatory to fill out a seller’s disclosure in Pennsylvania. Home sellers need the following documents to complete this step:

• Seller Property Disclosure: A disclosure document that states all the features relating to the property and any known issues in the house, including appliances and any other systems.
• Flood Zone Statement: A buyer’s lender may require the concerned property’s flood risk report before providing the loan. This could be important in mortgages that the federal government backs.
• Lead-Based Paint Hazard: As per the legal binding, for homes built before 1978, the seller should declare any lead-based paint hazards in the house.

6. Market Your House For Sale

Most home buyers search for and review homes online. Online exposure should be your main priority when selling your house, combined with other marketing tactics. Here are potent ways to market your house for sale by owner.

• List Your Pennsylvania Home
• Get a Yard Sign
• Hire a Professional Photographer
• Share Your Listing on Social Media
• Print Sales Flyers/Brochures
• List on Craigslist
  

7. Manage Showings

Once your home is ready for showings, you should manage them effectively. You should keep track of people who have seen your property or expressed interest in seeing it—tracking when your potential buyer last saw the house can also be helpful. You can use tools such as an online calendar to ensure you always have the records.

8. Review, Compare and Negotiate Offers

Though you are selling your home without a realtor in Pennsylvania, the basics of what to do when you get offers remain the same. This includes accepting, declining, or ignoring the offers (not recommended). Review the offers on all their merits, and never overlook an offer. Even if it’s a lowball offer, you should counter with what you would accept. Where you are sure you don’t want to counter or accept, politely decline.

9. Handle the Closing

Closing is the last step of how to sell a house by Owner in Pennsylvania. There are several obligations to consider even after you have agreed to a price with the buyer. An attorney or title agent should be used to handle the closing process and all the legalities involved.

If you have any queries on selling your home in Pennsylvania, we are the team you can count on for premium advice.

Give us a call anytime at 484-484-0971 or fill out this quick form to get started today!