What should you do before selling your house in Pittsburgh?

1. Just be at the house

• No need to declutter, clean or fix up your property. Cash buyers love to buy fixer upper homes which they can personalize. If its a clean house, they love that too because that means they would rent it out or live on it themselves!
• You don’t need to impress your cash buyer. Just be ready to give a smile. If you ‘re selling to We Buy Property though, make sure your pen is ready to sign the deed of sale. We since we love to buy (and honestly, won’t probably drive all the way there unless we are serious in making an offer to you on that day)

2. Make a phone call to a cash buyer

Another thing to do before selling your house to a cash buyer is getting on a phone call with them before seeing your house (if they want to see it) is a great way to know if they are serious in making an offer. Cash buyers won’t usually go to the house unless they think they can actually make an offer because between me and you, that is a waste of gas money and since these people are investors, they don’t want to waste their time if they think your house is a waste of energy and time.

3. Set the Right Price

• Before selling your house in Pittsburgh, ask your cash buyer to appraise the get an appraiser to save on cash. If you’re considering selling to a cash buyer, it’s probably because you want to save on getting an appraiser. You can ask the investor himself to get one for you or if he is an appraiser himself he can do that for you.
• We Buy Property will give you an honest appraisal on what we think your house is worth and explain it to you. If you want to run the numbers yourself, you can even look it up on the internet and compute based on the needed repairs on your house (since we would fix it up after we purchase it from you)
• Consider a Professional Appraisal: If hiring an appraiser isn’t too big of a deal for you, then you can definitely get one before selling to a cash buyer.

4. Gather Your Documents

• Title and Deed: Make sure you have the necessary paperwork related to your ownership of the home, including the title and deed.
• Tax Records: Collect recent property tax information, as buyers may ask for it.
• Homeowners Association (HOA) Documents: If your home is part of an HOA, gather any relevant documents, such as rules and regulations or fees.
• Warranty Information: If you have warranties for appliances or systems in the house, keep them handy for the buyer.

5. Set your Timeline

• Determine When You Want to Sell: Consider your moving plans, the local housing market, and any financial goals before selling your house. Are you in a rush to sell, or do you have more flexibility?
• Plan for a Closing Date: Discuss with your cash buyers about a closing date that works for you. Some buyers may need a quick close, while others might want flexibility, however, if you SELL TO WE BUY PROPERTY it doesn’t matter when you want to sell. We will buy it based on your convenience!

6. Let the Cash buyer know about your liens or mortgages

• Like We Buy Property we can pay for your mortgage or liens when buying your property. Just let us know and we can handle all that stress for you. You don’t need to address that first like when listing your home.

7. Evaluate Offers and Negotiate

• Review Offers Carefully: When you receive offers, consider not only the price but also contingencies. However, if you sell to We Buy Property keep in mind that we will pay for everything else like closing costs!

1. Get Your Home Ready to Show

• Declutter and Clean: Start by decluttering your home. Buyers want to be able to visualize themselves in the space, so removing excess furniture, personal items, and clutter is essential. Give your home a thorough cleaning, paying special attention to high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
  
• Depersonalize the Space: Pack away family photos, personal mementos, and anything that could distract buyers from imagining themselves in the home.
  
• Deep Clean: Consider hiring professional cleaners to get your home sparkling. Clean carpets, wash windows, scrub tile grout, and polish countertops.

2. Make Repairs and Improvements

• Fix Minor Issues: Take care of small repairs before selling your house in Pittsburgh like leaky faucets, chipped paint, squeaky doors, and broken light fixtures. These simple fixes can have a big impact on the perception of your home.
• Focus on Curb Appeal: First impressions matter! Mow the lawn, trim bushes, weed flower beds, and maybe add a fresh coat of paint to your front door. A well-maintained exterior will attract more buyers.
• Evaluate Larger Issues: If your home needs significant repairs (e.g., a roof replacement or foundation issues), consider whether it’s worth making these repairs or selling the house as-is. Sometimes, selling “as-is” can be a better option if you’re short on time or resources.

3. Set the Right Price

• Get a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): A CMA from a real estate agent can help you understand what similar homes in your area are selling for. Pricing your home correctly from the start is key to attracting buyers.
• Consider a Professional Appraisal: If you’re unsure about your home’s value, hiring a professional appraiser can give you an objective, accurate assessment.
• Know Your Bottom Line: Determine how much you owe on the mortgage and what you’d like to walk away with. This helps you understand your financial goals and what price range you should target.

4. Gather Your Documents

• Title and Deed: Make sure you have the necessary paperwork related to your ownership of the home, including the title and deed.
• Tax Records: Collect recent property tax information, as buyers may ask for it.
• Homeowners Association (HOA) Documents: If your home is part of an HOA, gather any relevant documents, such as rules and regulations or fees.
• Warranty Information: If you have warranties for appliances or systems in the house, keep them handy for the buyer.

5. Stage your home

• Stage Key Rooms: The goal of staging is to make your home look inviting and functional. Focus on staging key areas like the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom. You can even hire a professional stager if needed.
• Neutral Colors: If possible, paint rooms in neutral tones to appeal to a broader range of buyers.
• Maximize Space: Arrange furniture to make rooms feel larger and more open. Remove oversized furniture or anything that makes the space feel cramped.

6. Be Ready for Showings:

The more accessible your home is for showings, the quicker it will sell. Be prepared for potential buyers to visit at various times of the day, including weekends and evenings.

7. Address Any Legal or Financial Concerns

• Understand Capital Gains Tax: If you’ve owned the home for a long time or made a significant profit on the sale, you may be subject to capital gains tax. Consult with a tax professional to understand your tax implications.
• Clear Any Liens or Claims: If there are any liens on your property, such as unpaid taxes or contractor liens, you’ll need to clear these before selling your house in Pittsburgh.
• Mortgage Payoff: Contact your lender to understand how much you owe and what your pay-off balance is. This will help you understand your net profit from the sale.

8. Evaluate Offers and Negotiate

Negotiate Terms: If you’re not satisfied with an offer, don’t hesitate to negotiate. You can counteroffer or ask for specific terms, such as covering part of the buyer’s closing costs.