Ultimate Home Seller's Guide
The Importance of Being Prepared
Sellers looking to get the most for their home need to understand that buyers today are more prepared than ever when they are looking for a new home. Given the competitive nature of the current real estate marketIn fact, they buyers who are ready to move fast will be successful. So, what does this mean for sellers? It means that they should be prepared to sell before they list their home. Here's why. Buyer's are:
- Extremely knowledgeable about market prices
- Financially pre-approved for a loan before they begin looking looking
- Familiar with properties on the market
- Ready to make an offer as soon as they find the house that fits their needs
Selling or buying a home is a tremendous life decision. Once you are ready to sell, the first 14 days are the most critical in capturing the largest number of buyers. As a result, the first step you should take is to hire and work with a local real estate professional.
Find an Agent
A trusted real estate agent is essential for your success. That’s because selling a home isn't a simple process.
A successful home sale requires a number a different steps that include pricing, marketing, negotiation, and documentation. This process can be complex, and a real estate professional understands what needs to happen and when throughout the transaction to avoid costly pitfalls.
To sum it up, a great real estate agent will confidently guide you through the ups and downs you will inevitably encounter. They will:
- Listen to you in order to understand your real estate goals.
- Help you prepare your home to highlight its unique features
- Implement a custom marketing plan
- Maximize exposure to the right buyers
- Communicate regularly
- Evaluate offers
- Negotiate the best terms
- Facilitate inspections and legal documents
- Monitor financing and appraisals
- Guide you to prepare for closing
- Close the sale and welcome you into your new home!
What to Expect from Your Agent
KEY STEPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME WITH AN EXPERIENCED REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
Develop an effective pricing strategy that includes:
- Detailed home evaluation
- Competitive market analysis
- In-depth market review
- A range for optimal listing price
Marketing Your Home
- Create messaging based on your home's unique features
- Help stage your home for professional photographs
- Create professional marketing assets
Maximize Exposure
Execute a custom marketing plan that capitalizes on your home's features. This will includes a systematic campaign using tools such as advertising, social media, referral networks, email, MLS, real estate websites and more.
Communicate Regularly
Track and communicate results on a regular basis. Provide feedback after home showings and share results on all marketing efforts.
Act As Your guide throughout the process
Manage the complete sales process from our initial conversation through closing and beyond. This includes negotiation, assisting you with local professionals such as your lender and attorney, and managing the timeline. Above all, they will get you successfully to the closing table.
Prepare your home to sell
It's never too early to get your home sale-ready. As soon you as you decide to sell, start preparing your home.
Prospective buyers see everything. Walk through each room. See your house as they would see it. In other words, it's best to stop thinking about your house as your home. Instead, think of it as your biggest asset.
Your real estate agent will look at your home with a professional set of eyes and know items to tackle that will make the biggest impact.
Key Tasks
Declutter your home ~ Take down and box up personal belongings. If needed, put furniture, collectables, and knick-knacks in storage. Remove items from your kitchen and bathroom counters, laundry room shelves and tabletops. Organize your closets. Take down personal pictures and artwork. To clarify, think “blank canvas.” That’s what the buyers want to see when they tour your home.
Have all the interiors professionally cleaned. ~ Clean, clean, then clean again. Dust, polish appliances and faucets, clean everywhere. Pay particular attention to smells. Think light and bright. Let the sun shine. Wash the windows and remove the screens. If you have heavy drapes, replace them with simple blinds or consider no window treatments.
Paint ~ Carefully inspect the walls and trim. You’ll most likely notice marks and scratches from normal wear and tear. If cleaning doesn’t get rid of these blemishes, then paint. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way to making your home look like it’s been updated. As a result, walls are more vibrant, trim looks new. In the long run, buyers will appreciate that this is one job they don’t have to tackle. Just remember, when you paint, keep colors neutral. No one wants bold walls. If they do, let them buy your home and choose to paint it themselves.
Curb Appeal ~ How your house appears from the street is critical. In fact, this first impression is what buyers will use to decide whether they want to take the next step to come inside. Even if the inside is gorgeous, you’ve already lost value if the exterior needs work. Subsequently, repair and repaint any rotting wood. Inspect the window sills, siding, decks and porches. Sometimes, all it takes is a good powerwash to get the house back in shape.
Before you put your house on the market complete all of the handyman work you’ve been putting off. Consider getting a home inspection because this will let you know for sure if there are any hidden issues with your home. If so, get them fixed as quickly as possible.
Home Seller's Guide Timeline
This home seller's guide timeline will help you understand the major items involved in the home selling process. Rely on your real estate agent to help you navigate the process.
01
Hire a Real Estate Professional
Discuss financial and timing goals for your home sale with a professional real estate agent. The right agent will work with you to understand your goals, negotiate on your behalf, and protect your interests so you get to the closing table on time.
02
Determine the Price
Your agent will provide necessary insight and guidance based on market conditions and location to position your home appropriately in the current market.
03
Prepare Your Home
A home's presentation (on-line and in person) directly impacts the quality of offers a seller receives. Your real estate professional will advise you on how to prepare your home properly.
04
Marketing Your Home
Developing a storyline which highlights your home's best features attracts the right buyers. Your real estate professional will create custom messaging and use specific marketing tools to maximize exposure and attract ready, willing, and able buyers.
05
Negotiate Purchase Price
This agreement contains key elements: price and terms. Both will be discussed and evaluated with your realtor prior to accepting an offer. Buyer will put forth an EMD (earnest money deposit).
06
Home Inspection
Your realtor will recommend the best ways to prepare for the buyer's home inspection.
07
Sign Purchase Agreement
Your real estate professional will put you in touch with a real estate attorney who will protect your interests. Your attorney will review this legal document to be sure you understand your responsibilities. Timing, legalities, and finances will be carefully reviewed. The buyer will submit an additional deposit.
08
Final Details
Your agent will guide you through all of the necessary steps:
~ Schedule smoke and CO inspection
~ Buyer Mortgage commitment
~ Final utility readings
~ Scheduling movers
09
Final Walk Through
The night before closing the buyers will visit your empty home to ensure your move out went smoothly and any inspection repair items were completed.
10
Closing Day!
You made it! The closing is typically held at the buyer attorney's office. Discuss with your attorney whether you need to be present when the buyer is there.
CONGRATULATIONS!
In Conclusion
Selling your home can be very exciting as you plan for a new chapter in life. On the other hand, it can be overwhelming if you don't understand the process. It needs to be approached with caution, and with plenty of knowledge about what to expect. Be sure to rely on your real estate agent who will smoothly guide you through the entire process.