DECIDING TO SELL

You've made the decision to sell your property. Before proceeding, it's important to take time to clearly define your motivations and establish a timeline for the selling process.

Why Sell?

"Why are you selling your property? Have you out grown your home and need larger? Are you planning to relocate to a different neighborhood, school district, city, or state? While you might know your intentions, it’s important to consider how each option can impact your lifestyle, opportunities, and finances. Clarifying your intentions will help your agent identify the best approach to meet your financial, lifestyle, and real estate goals."

When Should I sell?

It’s essential to establish your time frame for selling from the beginning. If you need to sell quickly, we can speed up the process by providing a comprehensive market analysis and a tailored action plan to meet your goals. If there’s no urgency, we can take a more strategic approach, sitting down to review current market conditions and determine the most advantageous time to list your property for you.

HOW IS THE MARKET RIGHT NOW?

When you work with me, you can be sure that you will have our knowledge, expertise and negotiating skills at work for you to arrive at the best market prices and terms. We will keep you up-to-date on what is happening in the marketplace. With me, you will know exactly how to price and when to sell your property.

Expertise & Knowledge

The Right Real Estate Agent

Working with a skilled local real estate agent who knows your area inside and out can help you sell your home more quickly, and often, for more money. In fact, data from the National Association of REALTORS® shows that between July 2022 and June 2023, homes listed without the assistance of a REALTOR® sold for a median price of $310,000, while those sold with one fetched a median of $405,000. the process is likely to be.

CHOOSING YOUR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL:

  • Look for a full-time agent – one who has experience completing transactions similar to yours.

  • Interview a few agents: Are they familiar with the area in which you are interested?

  • Ask how much time the agent will have for you and if they are available at night and on weekends.

  • Ask about their credentials and education: A good agent will continually strive to improve and gain knowledge of the latest real estate trends.

  • Does the agent return your calls promptly? Time is money when attempting to buy a property.

  • Ask them about their past experiences and transactions.

  • Choose an agent who listens attentively to your needs and concerns. Pick an agent, with whom you feel comfortable.

Ground work to selling

PRICE YOUR HOME RIGHT

Your REALTOR® can help you determine a reasonable price. Overpricing can make your home sit on the market longer, while underpricing can leave money on the table.

MAKE BASIC REPAIRS

Repair a leaky faucet, broken door handles, squeaky doors and possibly paint to make your home more neutral and attractive to buyers. Work with your REALTOR® to determine what upgrades might be helpful in selling your home. Renovated kitchens and bathrooms are known to add the most value to a home.

BOOST YOUR CURB APPEal

Curb appeal can be a major factor in attracting potential buyers. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Here are some ideas for updating your curb appeal:

-Keep your lawn mowed

-Prune your trees and shrubs

-Plant flowers

-Touch up exterior paint

-Add new mulch around shrubs and trees

PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR PHOTOS AND SHOWINGS

Declutter and make your home neat and tidy. Remove family photos and organize closets. Stage your home with accessories and objects to make your home more inviting, so a buyer can visualize themselves living there.

documentation needed

Once your home is on the market, things can move very quickly. Track down the paperwork related to your ownership as well as any changes you made to the property while living there. These might include:

-Documents related to your purchase of the home: This will include the closing documents and a copy of the deed.

-Homeowners insurance policy documents: Keep a copy of your policy handy during the transaction, and be sure to maintain your coverage until the closing has taken place.

-HOA documents: If your home is in a homeowners association, gather up any documents related to the HOA, such as CC&Rs or due schedules to disclose to the buyer. The title company involved in the transaction will order a review of these and information like the HOA’s financials, as well.

-Major home improvement, maintenance and repair records: Aside from helping the buyer understand upkeep and any improvements to the home, these records can be used to more accurately price the home or dispute a low home appraisal.

-Manuals and warranties: This isn’t a requirement to sell your home, but it’s customary for the seller to provide the buyer manuals for the home’s major appliances and systems, plus any warranty documentation if the seller has one.

-Seller’s Disclosure Notice: This mandatory disclosure form provides information to buyers about any significant issues or defects related to the home.

this is a transaction

Try to remove emotion from the equation and see the process as a simple transaction — your home is no longer “home” but a product for sale. It’s not unusual for prospective buyers to request credits or repairs, and it’s easy as a seller to take offense, so try to have a clear understanding of what issues and items you may be willing to make concessions on. This should be a win-win for both parties.

Time to start showing your home

real estate showings and open houses

Be flexible in showings and leave the house, a potential buyer will want to envision themselves in the home and it's easier if you are not there. Also, they might want to see the house multiple times, this is a big investment for them and their potential dream home, so be patient, it's worth it!

OFFERS and negotiations

When you receive an offer, you’ll have a few choices: accept it, make a counter-offer or reject the offer. A counter-offer is a response to an offer in which you negotiate on terms and/or price. You can offer a credit for fresh paint and carpet, for example, but insist on keeping your original asking price in place. Counters should always be made in writing and provide a short time frame for the buyer to respond.

Be mindful that if a buyer is relying on lender financing, the property will have to be appraised. If there’s any shortfall between the purchase price and appraised value, that gap will have to be made up somehow, or the deal could fall apart.

Your REALTOR® will help guide you through this process. Remember, the best transactions are a win-win for all parties.

under contract

You have a contract! Now what? After signing the contract, there’s usually a period of six to eight weeks before the closing is final. During that time, you’ll have a few things to take care of to ensure that everything goes smoothly. In fact, this in-between time can be busier than most people expect! Plan for the following:

-Cooperate with the home inspector and lender’s appraiser

-Contact your lender to start the mortgage payoff process

-Keep the house in good condition

-Negotiate or repair anything the buyer's inspector finds

-Notify your utility companies of a final service date

-Schedule the closing for your new home

-Start planning your move

-Keep all utilities on through the closing date (the inspector will need these during their inspection)

Tip: Don't cancel your homeowners insurance policy until the transfer of ownership has been recorded.

inspection

A home inspection usually takes place right after a seller accepts an offer from a buyer. After both parties sign the purchase agreement, the home goes into escrow. The home inspection typically happens before or during the same time as the home appraisal.

The length of home inspections can vary, but on average, a thorough inspection from a reputable inspector lasts about three or four hours. Your REALTOR® will coordinate with the buyer's REALTOR® on scheduling of the inspection. It's a good idea to schedule an inspection as soon as possible after signing a purchase contract, so it doesn't hinder the sale. The home inspection will cover all major systems, from the roof to the foundation. The inspector will also check for potential safety hazards, such as lead paint and asbestos. Potential buyers should plan to be present during the inspection to ask questions, point out concerns, talk with the inspector, and get a better understanding of the condition of their new home.

Final stages

YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE BEGINS!

Closing

You have made it to the table and you are almost there; but there are some final things to do or think of before the party:

MOVING

Now that you're under contract and about to close, it's time to move. You will need to move everything out by the closing date, allowing time for the buyer to have their final walk-through of the property. Make sure to thoroughly clean your home and remove all of your possessions prior to the final inspection and closing date.

Final inspection:

Generally considered a formality, the final inspection is conducted either the day before or on the day of closing. During this visit, the buyer will verify that the property is in proper working order, confirm that its condition is consistent with their previous viewing, ensure no items have been left behind, and confirm that all items included in the purchase are present.

CLOSING DAY

This is the day everything happens, and you’re on your way to your next big adventure!

The day your home transaction closes is the day your deed is sent to be filed at the county courthouse. You and the buyer will sign a stack of closing documents. All bills will be paid such as agent compensation, mortgage payoffs, down payments, etc., and you will receive a proceeds check if one is due to you. The buyer receives the keys, remotes for the garage doors and possibly receipts for any work agreed to be completed.

Remember to bring the following:

-The deed to your home, if the home is paid off and has no mortgage or liens

-A photo ID (a driver's license or passport will do)

-A certified check, if required, in the amount told to you by the title or escrow company

-The keys and security codes for the house

Hint: Leave the buyer the home’s warranty and instruction books for heating, cooling, and plumbing systems and for appliances that will stay with the house.

Properties

Work With Me

I'm passionate about real estate and I strive to share that enthusiasm with my clients. With my extensive experience, I’ll help you achieve your goals for your home, family, and long-term investment growth.