Just when you thought selling a home was difficult, selling a home if you have children can be even more challenging. But you can do it! It takes a lot of patience, understanding, and planning, especially if you have to sell your house fast in San Francisco. Keep reading this guide to learn how to successfully navigate the home selling process when you have to move with children.
Get an Agent, Fast
You’ve probably noticed that San Francisco is a sizzling hot real estate market. So, if you’re selling, chances are buyers want your house. And if you live in Inner Sunset, Mission, and Pacific Heights, these homes are selling incredibly fast. Luckily, San Francisco is one of the most desired places to live in America for its progressive culture, outstanding career opportunities, food scene, great weather, and outdoor fun.
So, when you’re ready to put your home on the market, you won’t have to worry about buyers. They’ll probably line up to see your house, literally. But just because you live in a favorable market doesn’t mean that selling your home will be easy. Nor will it mean that you should chance going at it alone. Even for staunch DIYers who plan to put their house on the market FSBO (for sale by owner), you may want to consider getting a top agent in San Francisco. A top agent can help you sell fast and get much more money for your home.
Make The Upgrades a Real Estate Agent Suggests
Upon securing one of the best agents in the local market, you can get to work preparing your home to sell. It is critical that you listen to and heed the suggestions that a real estate agent makes because they know what buyers want. Many of the top agents have sold hundreds of homes in the area. So they know what moves them off the market the fastest. So when they suggest things you should do to get your house ready for the market, don’t take it personally. They aren’t devaluing your valuables. Instead, they are trying to help buyers see the space as their own.
Stage the House
The best way for buyers to see your place as a house they want to call home is to stage it. This is difficult when you still have to live in it while trying to sell it and twice as tricky when you have children. And just because you’re in a hot market doesn’t mean that people don’t want to see a staged home. So go out of your way to stage your house to sell in San Fransisco. Make sure you start by decluttering.
An agent will suggest that you get rid of most extra stuff that you don’t need by stowing it away in storage or at a friend’s place if they don’t mind. If you have great furniture pieces and other stellar decors, clean them and display them as best as possible. However, if you’re furniture isn’t in the best condition, consider getting some rental furniture, art, and other knick-knacks to make your house look good.
If you don’t have an eye for decor, consider getting help from a professional stager. Your real estate agent will know some staging consultants who can whip your house into shape so that it can sell quickly. If you worry about costs or the length of time you need to stage, remember that most homes in San Francisco stay on the market for an average of 40 days or less if you hire a top agent. So if you can hold tight for a little over a month, all your hard work will pay off.
Involve Children in the Process, No Matter Their Age
Before getting started, it’s a good idea to talk with your children, unless they are babies, of course. Moving can have strong psychological impacts. So you want to inform children that you are moving, whether they are toddlers or teens. One way to ease the psychological burden moving can cause for children is to help them get involved in the process.
Instead of keeping it a secret, encourage them to help you find a new home and clean up and stage the current one. Allow them to share their feelings so that you can ensure they are healthily processing the matter. Moving isn’t easy, especially if children have formed attachments to the house, their friends, the neighborhood, and more. But it becomes easier when you can help them through the process.
Build or Buy Accessories to Hide Children’s Toys
After you declutter and move most of your items off-site, you will still need some toys for your young children to play with while you remain in the home. Instead of leaving them out when you have showings, consider buying or building accessories that blend in with the decor that help hide your children’s toys.
Convert the Playroom and Other Areas Back to Whatever It’s Supposed to Be
While you’re busy hiding the remaining toys you’re children need to play with during showings, it is also a good idea to convert playrooms, children’s bathrooms, and other rooms that display children’s items. This gesture is not to diminish the importance of your children. Instead, this allows more buyers to see the home through their lens.
After all, some buyers may not have small children. So, seeing children’s decor may interfere with their plans for a specific room. Instead, convert the playroom back into whatever it should be, such as a guest bedroom or even a home office. But if you know you live in a kid-friendly neighborhood, it may be in your best interest to keep the playroom. Just stage it generically to appeal to buyers who have kids of varying ages. Also, keep colors neutral instead of decorating based on gender.
Keep the House Clean and Organized
You’ll have to be adamant about getting and keeping your house clean for the next 45 days or so of your life. After doing your initial cleaning, it is a good idea to touch up daily. Wipe down counters, clean spills, and keep common areas spotless.
Discover What to Do Between Showings
If you will be living in the house while you are selling it, it isn’t a good idea to be present when showings take place. Instead, let the real estate agent handle the transaction and avoid lingering while the buyers are viewing the home. A good idea is to develop a list of fun things to do to keep you preoccupied while agents show your place. Since showings can be pretty redundant, it may be best to fill your schedule with low-cost, kid-friendly things to do.
For instance, going to the library or local bookstore during showings could be a great option. Another great option is to go to the park or stroll the mall. If you have errands to run, consider taking the kids along to help. If there is a carnival in town, a fun children’s movie at the theater, or other costly activities, try to work these into the plans and a budget for them.
Be Prepared to Disclose Facts About the Home
While it is a good idea to stage your house to sell, keep in mind that if there are some less than stellar facts about your house, California requires you to disclose issues with your home to potential buyers. These facts should also be in writing. For more information regarding this matter, it is a good idea to speak with your real estate agent or hire an attorney.
What If You’re the Child Who Has Inherited Your Parents’ Property in San Francisco?
Inheriting a house and selling it is nearly the same as selling your own home in San Francisco. But complications could arise, namely, probate issues, if your parents didn’t leave the property to you in a will. Even property included in a will can cause complications. In this situation, the best thing to do is to hire an agent who has experience selling inherited homes. But if you don’t live in San Francisco or otherwise don’t have the time to go through the traditional selling process, you can also work with companies that offer cash offers for your inherited property.
Moving is challenging and even more so with children, no matter their age. But if you have a great game plan in place, this can make a move less stressful. Doing some of the things mentioned in this guide will help you get on track to moving out of your home as quickly and efficiently as possible.
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