Thinking of selling your Lehigh Valley home? Perhaps it’s become outdated, or maybe you’re ready for a change of scenery. Whatever the reason, there are two main paths to consider:
Your first option is to go through a real estate agent who will list your property among many others. Agents can connect you with potential buyers who will view your home until someone finally decides to make an offer.
The second option is selling to an investor. Here, you bypass the listing process entirely—no agent, no public listing, and no open houses. Selling directly to an investor means they’ll buy your home as-is, giving you the flexibility to move at your convenience without the lengthy process of traditional selling. Before deciding, let’s explore why hiring an agent might not always be the ideal route.
Selling Your House Through an Agent
Selling traditionally might suit a house in pristine condition, but if it’s your first time selling, here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
Step #1 – Research Agents Carefully
You’ll need to conduct extensive research to find a reliable agent. Take the time to learn how many operate in your area and shortlist those with a good track record.
Step #2 – Select an Agent Based on Key Factors
Choosing the right agent involves looking at their:
- Sales Skill – How quickly and at what price can they sell your property?
- Fees – Their commission percentage and additional closing costs.
- Experience – Their years in the industry and the number of clients they’ve served.
These factors directly impact the time your property spends on the market and the final price you receive.
Step #3 – Meet With Agent and Discuss Your Property
The agent will inspect your home and provide a list of recommended repairs before listing it. Depending on the extent, these repairs could take days or months.
Step #4 – Sign a Listing Agreement
This contract gives your agent exclusive rights to market and negotiate your home sale. Once signed, you’ll commit to selling only through them, with up to 6% of the selling price going toward their commission.
Step 5 – Property Photos for Listing
The agent will typically arrange for a professional photographer to take high-quality photos of your home, which are essential for attracting potential buyers. To make the property look as appealing as possible, they may also suggest or require staging—this involves arranging furniture, decor, and even lighting in a way that maximizes each room’s appeal and makes the home feel more welcoming. You may need to depersonalize your space, removing family photos or unique decorations, so that buyers can more easily imagine themselves living there. In some cases, the agent might recommend hiring a professional stager to truly highlight the property’s best features, which can add an extra cost but often helps to sell the home more quickly.
Step #6 – Wait for Offers
While listing with an agent opens the door to more potential offers, it can also lead to a long wait. There’s no assurance buyers will make a satisfactory offer, and the process may need to be restarted.
Step #7 – Open Houses and Private Showings
If there’s insufficient buyer interest after listing, you may need to host one or more open houses where prospective buyers can tour your property in person. This process involves scheduling specific times for interested buyers to walk through and inspect the home, giving them the chance to experience the space firsthand. During an open house, the home should be in pristine condition, which may require additional cleaning or staging. You’ll need to be flexible with your schedule to accommodate multiple viewings, as some serious buyers may also request private showings. While it can be inconvenient, holding open houses often increases visibility and can lead to more offers if the home is presented well.
Step #8 – Negotiate With Potential Buyers
Buyers are typically motivated to secure the best deal possible, which often leads to extensive negotiations. This process involves back-and-forth discussions with potential buyers as they review details of the property, consider any needed repairs, or compare the price to other properties in the area. As each party seeks to find the most favorable terms, negotiations can stretch over several days or even weeks, requiring patience and flexibility. Additionally, prospective buyers may request concessions, like reduced pricing or specific repairs, to further sweeten the deal. This can lead to further rounds of communication and adjustments, ultimately aiming to reach an agreement that satisfies both parties but potentially prolongs the selling process.
Step #9 – Get Into a Conditional Agreement
Begin by signing the initial document, which is just the first of several that you will encounter throughout the process. This document, provided by the buyer, typically enumerates various points detailing the different circumstances under which the buyer can withdraw from the transaction.
It encompasses contingencies like the inspection contingency, finance contingency, and appraisal contingencies, among others. Furthermore, this document will delineate any potential reductions in the selling price that may arise due to unforeseen repairs or issues identified during the buyer’s evaluation of the property.
Step #10 – Renegotiate and Sign More Paperwork
It’s likely that you will need to renegotiate the terms of the contract for various reasons, with one of the most prevalent being the necessity for additional repairs to the property. Consequently, you will have to arrange for these repairs to be completed, and afterward, you’ll need to sign the revised document that reflects the updated agreement and any changes to the terms that have been negotiated.
Step #11 – Wait for a Closing Date
Hope that buyer gets approved by their lender, and when that happens, wait for 1-3 months for a closing date. Until then, incur additional expenses such as property taxes, insurance, utilities, etc. until the property is transferred.
Step #12 – Get Paid Minus the Agent Fees
This is fairly straightforward. You will encounter several expenses associated with selling your home, including a 6% commission fee for the real estate agent, various closing costs, and any additional fees that may arise during the sale process. These expenses can significantly impact your final profit, making it essential to factor them into your financial planning as you navigate the sale of your property.
Why Not Hire an Agent?
From what we’ve seen in the above process, it’s easy to outline at least 3 reasons why people might not want to sell their house through a real estate agent:-
- Costly
A 6% real estate commission isn’t huge if you are selling T-Shirts—but a house? Not quite. Then there are closing costs that you might be subject to, even as a seller. Not only that, you have to pay for house repairs since no one wants to buy a house that calls for any foreseeable expenses. If they find something that isn’t functional, then it’s also going to cost you time to find a new buyer. Speaking of time…
- Time Consuming
People who are looking for home sellers like yourself are trying to find their perfect home. While you’re waiting for the one who’ll pay the most, they’re trying to find a home that’s the biggest bang for their buck. And to have both ends meet, you may have to wait indefinitely. Even realistically, at least a month or 2.
- Invasive and Inconvenient
You’re literally advertising your house. Doesn’t matter if you’re a politician or just a regular joe, having it known publicly may not necessarily be something you want. Besides, the potential buyers come to check every corner of your house. It’s not only invasive but inconvenient because of all the commotion caused by visitors.
Selling Your House Through iBuyLehigh
What if there’s someone who’s ready to buy your property right away? Well, here at iBuyLehigh, we buy your property as it is, and we don’t cause any ruckus you’ll usually face while hiring an agent. With IBuyLehigh, all you need is to follow the following 3 steps:-
Step #1 – Let us Know Your Property Information
All we need is an address and basic information about the house where you put up. Fill it out here or give us a call to get a fast and fair offer from us.
Step #2 – Schedule a Visit
As soon as we have your information, let us know when we can come to pay you a visit for a quick look in and around the house.
Step #3 – Get Paid Right Away!
After we’ve looked at your house, you pick a closing date, and you get paid. That’s it. No agent fees, no unexpected repairs, no waiting costs, etc. We’ll do the paperwork even.
Why Choose iBuyLehigh?
There are numerous reasons why a growing number of homeowners prefer to sell their properties to us. Here are some key benefits:
- Absolutely Free of Charge
Let’s face it: the costs associated with selling a home can be overwhelming for many sellers. If you were to list your house with a real estate agent, you’d be responsible for their commission along with various closing costs. However, at iBuyLehigh, you won’t incur any of these expenses, and we guarantee no hidden fees will catch you off guard.
- No Repairs Needed
As previously mentioned, we purchase your home as-is. Regardless of its current state, we are willing to take it off your hands without requiring you to invest in repairs or renovations. This is a significant relief for many sellers, as the condition of a property can often deter potential buyers.
- Immediate Payment
When working with an agent, the process can drag on for months before you see any return on your investment, as finding a buyer isn’t always a swift endeavor. With iBuyLehigh, as soon as you’re ready to proceed with selling your house, you can expect prompt payment. Whether your timeline is a week or several months, we’re equipped to meet your needs.
- Privacy Guaranteed
You won’t have to worry about strangers constantly coming and going from your home when you sell to iBuyLehigh. Unlike traditional sales that often involve multiple showings and inspections, we minimize the intrusion into your personal space.
Take Action
In the current market, many individuals are still struggling to bounce back from the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, making selling a home particularly challenging. In these trying times, we are here to support you by purchasing properties throughout the Lehigh Valley and offering you a fair market price.
With iBuyLehigh, you don’t just get instantly paid, but you are able to protect your privacy as well. Just click on this link, fill out the property address followed by your contact details, and we’ll get back to you with your fair offer. Or just call us directly at (484) 549-0019.