Thinking of Selling?
If this is the first time you are selling a home - or the 5th time, one thing is certain, the local real estate market is always in a state of change: rising or falling interest rates, neighborhood trends, the changing of the seasons, are there lots of homes available or just a few? (buyers/sellers market), what paint colors are in fashion?, etc etc.. As the market, seasons, available inventory & trends change, it’s important to work with an agent who understands what’s happening currently in your neighborhood as well as the over all market to insure that your home is prepared and marketed in the best way to stand out and bring the best price for your home.
THE SELLING PROCESS
Step 1 Let’s Talk
We can chat over the phone or meet in person for if you like for a no pressure conversation about your thoughts and plans for selling. We’ll talk about the time frame that works for you and I’ll ask you some questions about your home to get a feel for the style, condition etc.. Even if you feel like you’re just starting to think about selling and you might still be a few months out, it’s a good idea to talk to get some perspective on the process and the timeline of selling your home. With the information from our meeting, I’ll put together a pricing estimate for you based on the current market sales for comparable home's in your neighborhood. I’ll also present a timeline for preparing and listing your home.
Step 2 Visit Your Home
With the information from our initial meeting, I’ll put together a pricing estimate for you based on the current market sales of comparable home's in your neighborhood. I’ll also prepare a timeline for preparing and listing your home. We’ll set up a time for me to visit your home, we’ll go over listing strategy, pricing recommendations as well as my services to you as a client and what sets me apart from other agents. Lastly I’ll have you show me around the property and tell me what love about it!
Step 3 Pre-Listing Preparation
Before we list the home for sale, it’s time to make any necessary repairs, updates, clean, and de-clutter. As part of the preparation process I hire a wonderful stager who will make recommendations for de-cluttering and possibly staging to present your home in a way that is appealing to the largest group of buyers. After staging, Photography. In our modern world of online marketing, almost every person that finds your home will see it online first. It is of utmost importance that we capture your homes’ best attributes through Professional HD photography. I hire a specialized Photography company to make sure your home absolutely shines. The best photography results in more interested buyers and more showings.
Step 4 List Your Home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and Marketing
Your home will receive a traditional, beautiful For Sale sign in the front yard and 3-7 days prior to going “active” on the MLS, we will list your home as “Coming Soon”. In this Coming Soon status, the whole online market (Zillow, Realtor, Redfin etc) can now see your home as coming to market in a few days. Also, I will announce to hundreds of local realtors that the home is coming to market - All of this to create buzz and energy around the upcoming listing! After Coming Soon, the home becomes active and available for showings! I will coordinate with you the appropriate times to make the home available for showings to work with your schedule and lifestyle.
MARKETING
Online Syndication to every site buyers use: Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, Realtor and many, many more, Beautiful West + Main For Sale sign conspicuously in front of the home, high quality flyers place in the home, feature cards placed throughout the homes for potential buyers to see value points, targeted local social media marketing to local buyers, Weekend Open Houses hosted by myself and other qualified West + Main agents.
Step 5 Receiving the Offer(s)
When the offer(s) are received, you will be notified in a timely manner. We will review the offer(s) together in a detailed, clear manner that will enable you to easily understand the terms the Buyer is offering. If multiple offers are received, we’ll take the time you need to weigh the differences and make the best choice for you. There may be some negotiation with the Buyers to get the exact terms you want - when all parties are in agreement, you’ll sign the offer and be under contract!
Step 6 Escrow (the under contract period)
Now that your home is under contract with a buyer, the buyer has a limited time (usually within a 30 day period) to professionally inspect the property, review HOA documents (if it is applicable), review title documents for the home and review any documents you have the come with the home. There may be additional negotiation during this period if the Buyer wants any repairs made. It is my job to work on your behalf to negotiate the best possible scenario and manage the dates and deadlines keeping you informed every step of the way up to closing.
Step 7 Closing
We’re finally ready to close. A title company will organize and prepare all of the final paperwork to insure the home transaction is properly closed and the deed legally transfers to the buyers. Usually we meet at the title company and over 45 minutes or so, all of the final documentation is signed, and you then receive the proceeds from the sale of your home.
