What Happens After You Accept an Offer on Your Home?

You’ve been through the whole selling process – you hired an Orlando Realtor® who helped you arrive at the right price, you cleaned and staged your home, and you vacated the house for showings.

And now someone’s made an offer, and you’ve accepted.

So what happens next?

What Happens After You Accept an Offer on Your Home?

When you accept an offer, you start yet another wheel turning in the home-selling process. The next things that will happen are:

The buyer’s inspector will come check out the home.
You’ll decide whether to make concessions.
You’ll have to wait for closing day.

The Buyer’s Inspector

The buyer will most likely hire a home inspector. The inspector will come to your home and check over everything, including the heating and cooling system, electrical system, plumbing and more. A typical home inspection lasts a few hours, and at its conclusion, the inspector will put together a complete report for the buyers.

The home inspector’s job isn’t to convince the buyer either way – he or she is impartial. The inspector’s job is to document how things are working in the house, and if there’s something wrong, to note it in the report so that the buyer can make the best possible decision about buying your home.

Sometimes buyers find things in inspection reports that they can use as negotiating points. For example, if the inspector discovers that there’s not enough insulation in the attic, the buyer may ask you to install more insulation in the attic or to come down on the price (because the buyer will have to fork over the cash to install more insulation).

If that happens, you’ll have to decide whether to make concessions or back out of the deal.

Deciding Whether to Make Concessions

When your buyer asks you to make concessions, your first step should be to talk to your real estate agent about them. Your Realtor may advise you to go ahead and make the concessions, or he might let you know that if you don’t, the buyer may back out of the deal and move on to another house.

The bottom line is that it’s up to you whether to make concessions. This is a negotiation process, and if you push too hard, you could force the buyer to walk away. If you don’t push back, you could end up taking a hit on the profit. It’s a delicate balance, and you should talk about potential solutions with your real estate agent before you make any decisions.

If there are plenty of other offers waiting in the wings, you may decide not to make any concessions at all.

No properties found

Waiting for Closing Day

Once you’ve signed all the contracts and everything’s good to go, you still have to wait for closing day. The buyer may still have to secure financing officially, sell his or her current home, or climb over other obstacles. Usually, the wait is between 30 and 60 days – although it can happen a lot faster (or take a lot longer).

Are You Buying or Selling a Home in Orlando?

If you’re looking for a new home in Orlando or one of the surrounding communities, check out our:

If you’re selling your home in Orlando, we can help – we know how to market it to all the right buyers so you can sell it quickly and at the right price.

Call us at 407-529-4621 right now to learn about our premium property marketing services and how we’ll put them to work for you.

7 Signs it’s Time for You to Move

Sometimes it’s time to move on – and if you’re at that point with your home, you’re probably kicking around the idea of buying a new home for sale in Orlando.

But how can you tell it’s really time to for you to move?

These seven signs can signal that you’re ready for a new house.

7 Signs it’s Time for You to Move

#1. You need more space.

Whether you’re renting or you already own a home, you might be in a tight spot… literally. If you look around and realize that things are a little cramped, it may be time to upgrade to a bigger home.

#2. You have too much space.

Sometimes it happens when your kids move out; other times, you just realize that you’re paying for space you don’t even use in your home. Downsizing is another major reason people in Orlando sell their homes.

#3. You’re too far from work.

Transportation costs can really add up – and not just financially, either. Your time is valuable, and if you’re wasting half your life in the car trying to get to and from work, you might want to think about buying a home closer to your employer.

#4. You’ve had a change in finances.

Sometimes a change in the amount of money you bring in can necessitate a move – or at least make moving feel like the right choice for you.

#5. Upgrading or repairing your current home costs more than buying a new house.

If your house is older or requires upgrades, but it’s more cost-effective to buy a new home than pour work into your existing one, it’s a sure sign that you should sell the house and buy another.

#6. You just don’t like your neighborhood anymore.

Neighborhoods always evolve, but if yours is headed in a direction you don’t like, pack up and buy a new home. One of the biggest factors in your happiness is how satisfied you are with your living circumstances, and it’s not worth staying in a neighborhood that makes you miserable or concerned for your safety.

#7. You don’t like the weather.

This probably requires a longer-distance move, but if you’re unhappy shoveling snow or you’re sick of the constant heat, it’s time to start looking at houses in cities with a climate you’ll like better.

Are You Buying a Golf Home in Orlando?

We can help you find your dream home on a golf course in the Orlando area. Call us at 407-529-4621 or get in touch with us online to talk about your idea of the perfect golf course home.

Explore our:

Three Reasons NOT to Make Home Improvements Before You Sell Your Home

If you’re selling a home in one of Orlando’s premier golf communities, such as Alaqua Country Club, Isleworth Country Club or Sweetwater Golf and Country Club, or anywhere else, you probably know that making a few improvements can net you more cash at the closing table – but you may need to think again.

Three Reasons Not to Make Home Improvements Before You Sell Your Home

Before you spend any money improving your home, talk to your Orlando Realtor® about what’s best – there may be some really valid reasons you should skip the improvements and save that cash for your next down payment, instead.

#1: Not all improvements are really improvements.

Things like new countertops and hardwood floors are improvements… but repairing the roof or replacing the HVAC system don’t count. Those are routine maintenance issues that buyers expect, and while you may need to do those things, you need to know that they’re not likely to raise your home’s selling price.

#2: Not all improvements are created equal.

A major bathroom remodel can cost upwards of $30,000 – and a kitchen remodel can be even more. However, while you’ll likely get a pretty good return on your investment when someone buys, there are sometimes better ways to sell faster and for more money. Talk to your agent about which upgrades and improvements will justify raising your asking price and help you sell your home faster.

#3: Improvements may not be right for your area.

A home in a median-income neighborhood that has top-of-the-line appliances, a gourmet kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows can be tough to sell for many reasons. Your home has to “fit” in the neighborhood rather than stick out like a sore thumb, which means going all-out and decking out your home in hopes of attracting a buyer who ordinarily wouldn’t buy in the neighborhood is usually a bad idea. There’s a lot more than interior structure and amenities that go into a home’s price, and location is definitely one of them.

Are You Selling a Home in Orlando?

If you’re selling your home in Orlando, you deserve to work with a real estate agent you can trust to help you sell it quickly and at the right price. Our innovative marketing plans, which we adjust on a case-by-case basis, allow us to market your home to all the right buyers on all the right mediums, so call us at 407-529-4621 today to find out how we can help you get the best possible price for your house.

If you’re also looking for a new home, check out our:

4 Home Staging Secrets From the Pros

Whether you have a home for sale in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Park or another community, your Orlando Realtor® has probably already talked to you about staging, but how much do you really have to do – and how do you do it?

Here’s the scoop.

Why You Need to Stage Your Home

The numbers don’t lie: Staged homes sell faster – and for more money – than homes that aren’t staged. That means if you want to sell quickly and at the best possible price, it’s your job to make sure your home is as appealing to buyers as possible.

Our infographic shows exactly why.

4 Home Staging Secrets From the Pros

Staging is about more than cleaning (although that’s a big part of it). It takes a little planning and a decent amount of work to create the perfect environment for real estate photos and showings, but in the end, it’s all worth it. (Your agent can direct you to a professional home stager if you can’t, or don’t want to, do it yourself.)

Expert home stagers have four secrets that they don’t share with non-clients, but we’ve uncovered them and want to share them so you can sell your home at the best possible price (and in the least amount of time). Those secrets involve:

Improving curb appeal
Spotless cleaning
Minimizing furniture
Creating a neutral environment

Curb Appeal Matters More Than You Think

The first impression buyers get of your home is typically online, when they see your 3D tour or high-resolution photos on someone’s website. The second impression they get is when they pull up to the curb, and that impression is incredibly important – it can make or break the way they feel about your home.

Your home’s exterior needs to look fabulous, and it needs to invite potential buyers in to see more. Buyers need to get excited about your home the second they spot it from the car, and to make that happen, you have to:

Cut the grass
Pull the weeds
Power-wash your sidewalk
Add some color to the front porch by way of live, potted plants (if you don’t have them in the yard already)
Clean your windows, porch and front door

Keep On Housekeeping

You want buyers to see that you’re able to maintain a spotless home all the time (even if you really do let a few things slip now and then), so your house has to be immaculately clean. If you don’t have the time or energy to do it yourself, it’s a good idea to hire a professional cleaning service so your home can put its best foot forward for potential buyers.

Before a showing, you have to:

Dust
Vacuum
Spot-clean
Make sure there’s no clutter (none at all) on counter tops or table tops

If you have pets, pick up their toys, litter boxes and food bowls. Take them (and your pets) with you when you leave!

Less Furniture is More… Really

When you’re staging your home, you want buyers to see an easy traffic flow within spacious rooms. They can’t envision their belongings in your space if your space looks cramped with furniture, so take out all non-essential pieces and put them in storage.

If you have furniture that’s seen better days, that needs to be the first to go – and aim for a minimalist look with everything else, too. Spare chairs (including cozy old recliners when there are other seats in the room), too-big tables and other furniture that makes your space look smaller or impedes traffic flow belongs in a storage unit, where it can sit until you move into your new home.

Neutral Appeals to Everyone

Take down family photos and anything that potential buyers might think is eccentric. You don’t want your home to be bland, but you don’t want it to be obvious that it’s yours, either. Again, buyers want to envision their belongings in your space; that’s tough when all they can see is your grandma smiling down from over the fireplace or they’re overwhelmed by your exceptionally large clown figurine collection.

Your agent can walk through your home with you to point out things that may not be a good fit for showings, so if you’re not sure about something, ask!

Are You Selling a Home in Orlando or the Surrounding Communities?

If you’re thinking about selling your home in Orlando or any of its suburbs, we can help. The first step is to find out how much your home is worth, so call us right away at 407-529-4621 or get in touch with us online. We’ll be able to value your home and tell you what it’s worth so you can make the right decision about selling.

If you’re also looking for a new home, check out our:

What Happens After You Accept an Offer on Your Home?

What Happens After You Accept an Offer on Your Home?

The Buyer’s Inspector

Deciding Whether to Make Concessions

Waiting for Closing Day

Are You Buying or Selling a Home in Orlando?

7 Signs it’s Time for You to Move

7 Signs it’s Time for You to Move

#1. You need more space.

#2. You have too much space.

#3. You’re too far from work.

#4. You’ve had a change in finances.

#5. Upgrading or repairing your current home costs more than buying a new house.

#6. You just don’t like your neighborhood anymore.

#7. You don’t like the weather.

Are You Buying a Golf Home in Orlando?

Three Reasons NOT to Make Home Improvements Before You Sell Your Home

Three Reasons Not to Make Home Improvements Before You Sell Your Home

#1: Not all improvements are really improvements.

#2: Not all improvements are created equal.

#3: Improvements may not be right for your area.

Are You Selling a Home in Orlando?

4 Home Staging Secrets From the Pros

Why You Need to Stage Your Home

4 Home Staging Secrets From the Pros

Curb Appeal Matters More Than You Think

Keep On Housekeeping

Less Furniture is More… Really

Neutral Appeals to Everyone

Are You Selling a Home in Orlando or the Surrounding Communities?

About Abr Orlando

Client Reviews

Connect With Us