Home Sellers’ Frequently Asked Questions
Most homeowners don’t have much – or any – experience selling a home. The process can be daunting, stressful, and time-consuming. That said, it’s one of the largest transactions that most people are involved in, so you want to make sure you’re informed and prepared.
To help with that, here are a few of the most frequently asked questions by Birmingham homeowners about selling their Alabama homes.
How long does it take to sell a home in Birmingham?
Like so many things, the real answer is that it depends. That said, on average homes take 45-90 days to sell. As of March 2023, Alabama homes were averaging 85 days from list to close.
Keep in mind, it’s usually 30 days from when an offer is accepted until close. During this period, the buyer does inspections, negotiates repairs, and secures financing. This means that even if you accept an offer within the first two weeks that your home is on the market, it will likely take over 40 days from listing to closing day.
What is the best time to sell a home in Alabama?
Spring has traditionally been the best time to sell a home, and this continues to be true for Birmingham homeowners. Listings tend to go up around April and there are increased home sales through the end of the summer.
There are a few reasons for this. First, for families with school-aged children, it’s easier to move during the summer than during the school year. Second, everything looks beautiful in Birmingham during the spring with trees and flowers in bloom, so it’s an ideal time to showcase your home. Finally, the longer hours of daylight and the mild weather make it an ideal time for buyers to look for a home.
With that in mind, early spring is the best time to list your home.
How much are closing costs and who pays them?
Closing costs can be a substantial amount of money, and Birmingham home sellers should expect to pay about 3% of the closing price in closing costs. These include things like title insurance, the recording fee, appraisal fees, and property taxes.
While buyers typically pay for some of the fees associated with closing, it’s best to plan for closing costs that are relatively close to 3% of the purchase price.
Who pays the real estate agents’ commissions?
The seller pays for real estate commissions. The exact percentage can vary, but it’s generally 6% of the sales price. The agents will work out the details, but it’s usually a 6% commission split evenly between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent. This fee comes out of the closing funds and is distributed to the agents at closing.
How can you sell your home fast?
If you’re in a rush to sell your home quickly, there are a few things you can do to speed the process along. First, make sure that you spend time getting the property in good condition. This should include decluttering, depersonalizing, and deep cleaning your home. It’s also important to make any necessary repairs, and you might want to make some upgrades or do some staging.
If you work with an experienced real estate agent, they’ll give you a list of projects to complete before listing. Complete as many of these tasks as you can to help your home sell quickly.
Finally, make sure that you price your home competitively. Pricing can be tricky, but your agent should give you a range or target price. If you communicate to your agent that you want or need to sell your home quickly, they should adjust the price down some to make this happen.
If you have to sell your home quickly, it’s also a good idea to consider options besides listing it on the MLS with an agent. Cash buyers can close quickly and can get you cash within just a couple of weeks.
Rather than waiting for an offer, dealing with inspections, and waiting for closing logistics to be handled, cash buyers give you an offer within 24 hours of seeing your home and can close within a week after that. For sellers that need to close quickly because of a move, financial distress, or a change in circumstances, this can be a great option.
Contact Home Buyers Birmingham to Sell Your Home Fast
If you want to sell your home in a matter of weeks, contact Home Buyers Birmingham at (205) 687-0604 or by completing our online form. We buy homes as is, regardless of the condition. When they work with us, sellers don’t have to make any repairs, deal with inspection issues, or pay any closing costs.
We’ll give you an offer within 24 hours of seeing your home and can close in as few as 7 days after that. It’s a fast, easy, and effective way to sell your Birmingham home. Contact us today to learn more or to get your cash offer.
Home Buyers Birmingham
1821 11th Avenue South Suite #55331
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
