If you have never sold a home before, the process can feel like a black box. Here is what actually happens, in order.
Step one: know what it is worth
Before anything else, get a real number. We give you two: what the home would sell for listed, and what a builder would pay for it as-is. That single step tells you whether to prepare the house for the market or skip the preparation altogether.
Step two: choose the path
Listing means light preparation, photos, showings and negotiating offers, usually over a few weeks to a couple of months. A builder sale means an as-is contract with no showings and a closing date that fits your move.
Step three: attorney review and inspection
In New Jersey both sides have attorneys review the contract. On a listing sale there is usually an inspection and a round of negotiation. On a builder sale there is typically no inspection negotiation, because the house is coming down.
Step four: closing
You sign, the money is wired, and you hand over the keys. From accepted offer to closing is usually 30 to 60 days.
The best first step is the free home value. It takes 30 seconds to request and it shapes everything after.