So, you’re contemplating selling your house – the thought has crossed your mind, and now you’re wondering, “When’s the right time to loop in a realtor?”
The short answer to the question? — as soon as that idea pops into your head!
Whether you’re planning to make a move in the next month or in a few years down the line, keeping it to yourself won’t do you any favors. Let’s break down why reaching out sooner rather than later is the way to go.
If you’re new here, I’m Lauren Goché — a Portland realtor with a decade of experience backing me up. Which means I’ve weathered more than a few market shifts over the course of my career, and specialize in making sure you can make the most of the market for your goals. Read more about me here.
Setting Expectations Straight
There’s a reason buyers call me the dreamcrusher, but that extends just as much to our sellers too. Part of our job as your realtor team is making sure your expectations are realistic — it’s key to keeping the selling process as smooth and stress free as possible.
The moment you reach out to me and my team about selling your house, we’ll have a friendly chat about your unique situation and start turning your “ifs” into a solid plan. We’ll lend you our expertise to help you navigate the complexities of selling, so you can focus on the stuff that’s really important in achieving your goals.
Repairs or Upgrades – Talk to Us First!
***It’s suuuper important to contact us before doing any major improvements to your house.***
Ideally we’ll want to come over and go from room to room and advise you on projects to work on. But honestly, we often tell our sellers how many projects they can ignore. Nine times out of ten, they are shocked at the things we tell them to ignore.
We’ll not only tell you which improvements you should focus on to increase your home’s value, but most importantly, we will connect you with top notch contractors in our network. When working with us, you get exclusive access to them and you’ll be their top priority.
For now, just focus on decluttering, and let them take care of the rest!
Your Asking Price
Chances are you’ve got a rough number swirling around your head of how much your property could go for. But there is a true art to pricing and you don’t want to start making plans, or lengthy daydreams, if you’re working with an unrealistic number.
Once we take a look at your house, we can give you a more accurate estimate. We often get emotionally attached to a specific number in our head, so the sooner we get a good number, the better. We find that keeping prices on the more conservative end is more likely to start a bidding war — that’s our secret to consistently selling fast AND above listing price.
Plus, we’ve gone through a major shift in market conditions, and it’s impacted sellers the most. Me and my team will help you mentally prepare for that shift. Take a look at my full breakdown of how we’re prepping sellers in this market.
Your Unique Situation
Are you planning on selling your house first, and then buying another?
Do you want to buy a new house first, and then sell?
All of these things matter for your timeline and it’s important we get all the moving pieces sorted out as soon as possible. You might have more time if you’re selling, then buying. But if you’re buying first, we’re gonna want to get your house sold as soon as you find your second one! You can read more about the buy-sell shuffle HERE.
All this requires planning and forethought — and we’re here to support you through all of it.
No Such Thing as Too Early
When it comes to reaching out about selling your house, there’s no such thing as too early. The earlier we start the conversation, the smoother the journey. Think of it like a chat — no pressure, just a friendly discussion about your plans and how we can help.
Final Thoughts
So, if that inkling, that subtle spark of an idea about selling is making its presence felt, don’t hesitate. Reach out, let’s have a conversation. Here’s a rundown of key things we’ll figure out together:
- Repairs and upgrades: Contact us before any major repairs or updates. We’ll not only tell you if it’s worth it, but we’ll also connect you with our network of tried-and-true contractors. They’re amazing!
- Determining Your Asking Price: Rather than relying on a rough estimate in your head, let us assess your property to give you a realistic listing price.
- Your Unique Situation: Your individual circumstances, such as selling and then buying or vice versa, will impact your timeline and the general flow of things. We’ll help you plan it all out.
Thinking about selling your Portland home? Don’t hesitate to reach out and get that conversation started with me and my experienced team — get in touch with us here.
