There are so many things to think about when you want to sell your home. Do you repaint and change the flooring? Are you going to live in the home while it's on the market? What should you list it for?
All of those questions are valid. However, here are two things you don't want to overlook...
1. Termites
Termites can ruin your day. It doesn't matter if you live in a condo, townhome, or a detached single family home. Termites can live in the ground under your house or they can be in your wooden kitchen cabinets.
Prior to listing your home, it might be beneficial for you to hire a termite inspector. Doing this will allow you the time to remedy any problems that come up during the termite inspection. For example, say your home needs to be tented. It could take weeks to actually book an appointment for tenting services. If you want to do your termite inspection in escrow, you run the risk of not knowing if your home needs to be tented. And if your home needs to be tented, you could jeopardize your transaction because tenting could delay your closing.
2. Survey
Our housing market is still very active. Due to that, all the reputable surveyors are very busy. It's not uncommon for a surveyor to be booked weeks in advanced. Knowing that, I encourage my sellers to order their survey prior to listing.
By surveying your home prior to listing, you'll have time to address any concerns (encroachments). Dealing with encroachments can be a very stressful, time consuming, and emotional process.
Think about it. Say you want your neighbor to sign the encroachment agreement. What happens if you and your neighbor don't like each other? What happens if your neighbor hires an attorney to review the encroachment agreement? What happens if your neighbor refuses to sign the encroachment agreement?
If you have to address any encroachment issues, it's probably best to do it before you list the property.
-RO