If you are thinking about listing your house in Fort Myers, make sure you are prepared for these hidden and often unexpected costs. Keep reading to learn what to watch out for and ways to save your hard-earned money.
Selling a house in Fort Myers can become costly rapidly when engaging a local agent and listing the property on the MLS. A savvy seller should carefully weigh these costs before committing to assess if the expenses are justified. In certain situations, opting for a direct sale of your Fort Myers house to a buyer might be the more advantageous choice. Contact Sell My House Now USA today to determine whether listing or a direct sale aligns better with your specific situation.
If you do opt to list your Fort Myers house, watch out for the costs listed below.
Closing Costs
While people are aware of the existence of closing costs, they often lack clarity on what to anticipate. Indeed, these costs can vary from one property to another. Closing costs typically encompass expenses such as origination charges, transfer fees, inspection fees, and more. Most homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from 2-5% of the final sale price in closing costs. For instance, if your house is priced at $200,000, you should budget anywhere between $4,000 and $10,000 for closing costs.
Agent Fees
Agent commissions usually amount to around 6% of the final sale price of the house. However, additional administrative expenses, such as copies, printed materials, open house refreshments, listing services, and more, may be charged by many agents on top of that. While some agents cover all costs, others may charge for an extensive range of services. If you choose to list, it’s crucial to thoroughly review the agreement before signing to avoid unexpected expenses that could exceed your initial expectations.
Staging & Curb Appeal
Getting a house ready for photos, showings and open houses can get expensive quickly. All of your personal belongings should be put away in order to achieve the greatest effect. In this case, it doesn’t mean stashing everything in the closet because people are going to look there. Some homeowners will find themselves paying for a storage space while their house is listed, keeping only their necessities at the house with them. This makes for easy clean up and an easier move when the time comes.
Ensuring that your yard is in excellent condition and visually appealing to passersby is crucial. It may require effort and some out-of-pocket expenses to bring it to the desired state, not to mention the ongoing upkeep while your house is listed. Curb appeal plays a significant role in influencing potential buyers who are preparing to make a purchase. To avoid missing out on a potential buyer due to a messy yard, invest the necessary time and resources to maintain an attractive and well-kept outdoor space.
Painting
Painting is one of the first things many homeowners will do before listing their house. It is a relatively simple upgrade, that can have a big impact on the appearance of the house. Most people will opt to hire a professional to handle it as painting the whole house can be quite an undertaking. Others will choose only to do certain rooms to be mindful of costs. Repainting your entire house can ultimately set you back thousands. the first repair you will be told to make. It sounds easy enough, but after you consider the costs of repainting the entire home, you could be looking at a few thousand dollars.
Cleaning
Sure, you can do a pretty good job cleaning your house. But, do you really want to scrub the walls, baseboards, and the dreaded oven? Many people hire professional cleaners, who will specialize in ”move-out” cleanings. They will take care of everything from top to bottom so you can spend your time elsewhere. If you are not replacing the carpets, it is a good idea to pay to have them professionally cleaned.
Mortgage Fees
Certain lenders may impose charges if you decide to pay off your mortgage before the agreed-upon term. It’s advisable to consult with your lender to understand any pre-payment penalties and additional costs associated with paying off the mortgage early. Additionally, you will likely encounter recording fees, typically amounting to around $75.
Title & Escrow Fees
When listing your house in Fort Myers, you will also need to consider the cost of title insurance as well as a fee to the person holding escrow. This is typically a fee paid to the attorney who distributes funds to each party at closing.