Getting ready to sell your house in Idaho? Our in-depth guide breaks the entire process down into 8 simple steps. Learn how to find a great agent, price your home, negotiate with buyers, breeze through closing, and more!
Now is a good time to be selling a house in Idaho! According to Zillow Research, property values in the Gem State rose 8.63% in 2019, and are projected to rise a further 3.07% over the next year.
Of course, even the best Idaho properties will struggle to sell if you don’t price the home properly, do a poor job of marketing it, or don’t know how to handle the negotiations.
Read on to learn the eight steps to successfully selling your home in Idaho!
» MORE: Get a free, instant home value estimate now!
JUMP TO SECTION
- 1. Finding a Idaho realtor
- 2. Deciding when to sell
- 3. Pricing your home
- 4. Preparing, marketing, and showing your home
- 5. Fielding offers and negotiations
- 6. Appraisal and inspections
- 7. Paperwork and required Idaho disclosures
- 8. The closing process
- Next steps: Sell your Idaho home and save thousands
1. Finding a Idaho realtor
Selling a home isn’t easy. It’s a high-stakes, complex transaction and requires a considerable amount of time and expertise to get a good outcome. If you’re looking to sell your Idaho home for the best price — and minimize stress along the way — you need to find a top-rated real estate agent in your area.
The best Idaho listing agents know exactly what local buyers want and how to reach them. They’ll offer expert advice, guidance, and support every step of the way, from the initial listing all the way through closing.
In fact, sellers who work with real estate agents net 33% more, on average, than those who list on their own. For a $276,554 home — the median home value in Idaho, according to Zillow — that’s a premium of $91,263. In other words, hiring an agent is well worth the investment.
» FIND: Top Real Estate Agents in Idaho
2. Deciding when to sell
The price of homes fluctuates throughout the year. This is based on several different factors. Local legislative changes, your area’s economic outlook, and the job market in your city can make a difference in the asking price of your home.
Weather is also important in the real estate market, especially in Idaho.
If you live in an area popular with young families, the school calendar may make a difference in the best time to put your home on the market.
Best time to sell a house across the U.S.
Source: 2019 Redfin Data Center
Best time to sell a house in Idaho
| Best Month to Sell for Speed in Idaho | June | 32 days on market | 15 days faster than average |
| Best Month to Sell for Price in Idaho | June & August | $282,000 median sale price | 5% more than average |
If you're shooting for the fastest sale possible, listing in June is your best option. Homes listed in this month spend 32 days on market — significantly quicker than the Idaho average of 47 days on market.
To get the highest sales price, put your house on the market in June or August. The median sale price of homes listed in these months is $282,000, which is almost $14,500 more than average.
Learn More: The Best Time to Sell a Home in Idaho
3. Pricing your home
Sure, it is essential that your home is presented well when you are trying to sell, but you won’t even have potential buyers cross your threshold if the price you set is too high or too low.
There is a science and art to setting an appropriate price for a home. Your agent will look at the other homes that have sold in your area and prepare a Comparative Market Analysis for your property.
But if you're earlier in the process and just want a general idea of what your house is worth, a free online home value estimator is a great place to start. Enter your address below to see your estimated sale price, as well as useful local real estate market trends. Find out how much your house is worth now!
Discover the true value of your home with our Home Value Estimator!
4. Preparing, marketing, and showing your home
It takes a village to prepare a home for sale.
First, you need to make repairs and appropriate improvements to your home. Talk with your agent before making any changes or improvements to your home.
Have all hands on deck to clean your house. Every surface needs to shine.
Your Clever Partner Agent will help you stage your home for a fast sale. He or she will recommend what furniture to put in storage to make your home appear more spacious and uncluttered.
Your agent will find someone to take professional photos to make your house look as amazing as it is.
Finally, your agent will write a sales description targeting appealing aspects of your home. For example, your Idaho agent may focus on the double-paned windows that keep your home warm in the winter.
Your agent will also market your home on all the realtor websites and social media. He or she will plan open houses or private showings.
Learn More: The Best Paint Colors For Selling A House
5. Fielding offers and negotiations
Even when you have an offer on your house, your agent’s work is far from over.
Your offer should be close to the asking price. If the proposal is less than what you asked, see if the buyer is waiving contingencies, like the closing expenses.
From there, you can accept the offer, make a counteroffer, or reject the offer.
Eventually, a purchase agreement will be signed. A home purchase agreement is a legally binding document between the buyer and seller.
In it, the sales price will be clearly stated. The purchase agreement will also outline what will be included in the sale. For example, some home buyers ask that the refrigerator stays with the home. The closing and possession dates will be outlined in the document. There will also be a determination on how the buyer and seller will split the closing costs.
The purchase agreement will also outline what things can happen that will make the deal null and void. For example, if financing becomes an issue for the buyer, the buyer can back out of the purchase agreement.
Learn More: Real Estate Counter Offer Etiquette
6. Appraisal and inspections
Maybe you have signed a purchase agreement, but you still aren’t done with the process.
Most buyers will require that the home is inspected. If any issues come up during a home inspection, the buyer can request repairs to be made for the sale to go through. He or she may also ask for credits based on repairs that may come up when the home is inspected.
A buyer can also request a final walk-through before the closing of the home. During this walkthrough, the buyer will determine whether or not the house is in an appropriate condition to purchase.
Learn More: Can the Seller Back Out of Contract Before Closing?
7. Paperwork and required Idaho disclosures
As a seller, you are required to disclose issues or problems that may affect the quality of the home. Each state has a specific form that the sellers must fill out regarding the home’s condition.
It's good to be familiar with all the documents you might need to close on your home, but always consult your agent or attorney before signing or filing paperwork.
A licensed professional should walk you through all the paperwork and ensure you have everything you need for your situation.
Forms and Documents for Selling a House in Idaho
Required for All Real Estate Sales in Idaho
- 2 Forms of ID
- Copy of Purchase Agreement and Any Addendums
- Closing Statement
- Signed Deed
- Bill of Sale
- Affidavit of Title
Possible Additional Documents
- Loan Payoff Information
- HOA Forms and Guidelines
- Survey Results or Survey Affidavits
- Home Inspection Results
- Proof of Repairs or Renovations
- Home Warranty Information
- Copies of Relevant Wills, Trusts, or Power of Attorney Letters
- Relevant Affidavits (Name Affidavits, Non-Foreign Affidavit Under IRC 1445, etc.)
- Closing Disclosure (for certain seller concessions)
- Correction Statement and Agreement
Idaho Disclosure Forms
- Seller's Property Condition Disclosure
- Flood Zone Statement
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Learn More: Disclosure Requirements in Idaho
8. The closing process
Congratulations! You made it through the process. You have reached the closing day. On this day, you pay off the remaining balance of your home, pay your agent the well-deserved commission he or she has earned, and will pay any closing costs. Hopefully, you are packed up and ready to move, because your buyer will want to take possession of the home quickly.
Once the keys are handed over to the new owner, you can say goodbye to your old home and look forward to making memories in your new home.
Learn More: How Much Are Closing Costs for the Seller?
Next steps: Sell your Idaho home and save thousands
Whether you’re looking to list your Idaho home immediately or 6-12 months from now, it’s never too early to start looking for an agent, getting advice, and making a plan.
Clever is here to help guide you through the home selling process — and save money along the way!
Want to find a top local agent without overpaying on realtor fees? Clever negotiates 1.5% listing fees with top-rated realtors from trusted brokerages like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Berkshire Hathaway.
Get guaranteed full service for a fraction of the 3% rate agents typically charge. Schedule a free, no obligation consultation with a top local agent today!
Top ways to sell your home in Idaho
- Discount real estate agents in Idaho
- We Buy Houses for Cash companies in Idaho
- Flat-fee MLS companies in Idaho
Additional resources for Idaho home sellers
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