Selling Your Home
Attracting the highest possible value for your home requires proper preparation, effective marketing and an expert knowledge of local market conditions. I can help you navigate the process and ensure your experience is as positive as it is successful.
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Evaluating Your Home
The first step to selling your home is to evaluate the home’s condition. It will be important to address any cosmetic or functional problems and discuss potential upgrades or improvements that may bring additional value to your sale. Note that some problems may require disclosure to potential buyers. We will discuss the findings and available options to help ensure your home is in the best condition possible for attracting buyers.
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Choosing An Asking Price
There are many important factors to consider in determining a competitive list price for your home, such as location, condition, age, supply and demand, as well as local market conditions. It will also be valuable to conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of similar homes that have recently sold in your area. Understanding what the market will pay is a critical part of achieving a successful sale, and all of these factors will help guide your decision to establish a list price.
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Getting Market Ready
Preparing your home to sell can make a big difference in what a buyer is willing to pay. Depending on the condition of the home, there are three key considerations: maintenance and repairs, renovations and upgrades, and staging. Getting market-ready may include a variety of tasks, from reducing clutter and fixing maintenance concerns to updating paint colors and addressing landscaping needs. It may also be advantageous to have the home professionally staged. The focus of this process is to prepare your home to make a great impression and invite the most attractive offers possible. I am very involved with this process. I own staging inventory and it is available for sellers to use at no cost.
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Listing Your Home
When the home is ready for market, I will have professional photography taken. Then your home will be listed on the local MLS and syndicated to area brokerages and agents. Additional advertising methods may also be used to reach the widest audience possible within the target market. Creating a personalized plan to market your home will help attract the interest of the right buyer. Together, we will create a list of features for your home.
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Home Showings
Once your home has been listed, home showings will begin. It may also be advantageous to hold an open house. Typically, the homeowner is not present for home showings, but you will be notified in advance of any appointments, and showings can be scheduled during specific times to avoid inconvenience. This creates an inviting and welcoming atmosphere for buyers touring the home.
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Receiving Offers
An offer, or multiple offers, will be made by a buyer, which you may accept, or send a “Sellers Invitation” to submit a new offer. If a counter is made, we will enter a period of negotiation until an agreement is reached by all parties, or you choose to reject the latest counter. Negotiations can involve many factors, including settling on a sale price, concessions and financing. Once all parties reach an agreement, you will officially be under contract!
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Appraisal & Inspection
Once an agreement is reached, the buyer may order a professional inspection and appraisal to evaluate the condition and value of the home. Depending on the results of these reports, we may enter another round of negotiations until an agreement is reached by all parties. Depending on the negotiation strategy, you may choose to complete repairs requested by the buyer in order to optimize other negotiation factors.
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Closing!
Closing day! The buyer’s lender, or the title company (if it’s a cash transaction), will provide final confirmation that they are approved to close, and you will sign the paperwork required to complete the sale. This process typically takes an hour or two. Once the paperwork is signed by all parties, your title company will wire the net proceeds of the sale to your bank account, and your home will officially be sold!
A few things to mention: You will need to bring a valid ID to closing. No personal checks; you with either wire your funds or bring a cashier’s check. Wire fraud is real. Do not send wiring instructions to anyone without calling them first. Possession isn’t always upon closing and funding; sometimes there is a leaseback.
Pre-Listing Checklist
- Organize and declutter every room. Keep decorations to a minimum.
- Empty the garage, attic & closets as much as possible to maximize the appearance of storage space.
- Clean everything. Consider hiring a professional service to conduct a deep clean of the entire home.
- Replace dead light bulbs.
- Ensure all doors, cabinets & windows open and close properly.
- Remove unnecessary furniture to create as much walkable area as possible.
- Thoroughly clean the fireplace and replace old screens.
- Clear countertops except for a few thoughtful, decorative items.
- Empty cabinets and drawers and remove dishes, flatware and cookware that don’t match.
- Clean all appliances, including the inside of the oven, microwave and refrigerator.
- Clean and organize the pantry to maximize space.
- Empty trash cans and move them out of sight.
- Scrub every surface, including hard-to-reach areas behind the sink and toilet.
- Use neutral-colored towels and washcloths.
- Check the condition of caulk and grout and repair as needed.
- Patch any holes and consider a fresh coat of paint where needed.
- Replace missing or damaged outlet covers.
- Wash windows, inside and out.
- Remove window screens where possible. You may want to store screens in the garage.
- Power-wash the home exterior, driveway, and porch areas.
- Weed beds and trim back trees and shrubs. Consider fresh mulch.
- Remove pet hair from furniture and all surfaces.
- Remove beds, toys, food bowls and other pet items.
- Be sure pets are not present for showings.
What's My Home Worth?
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