Sellers

Define your needs

Write down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to sell and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?" For example, a growing family may prompt your need for a larger home, or a job opportunity in another city may necessitate a move. For your goals, write down if you'd like to sell your house within a certain time frame or make a particular profit margin. H Realty will help you map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale.

Price your home

Your next objective should be to determine the best possible selling price for your house. Setting a fair asking price from the outset will generate the most activity from other real estate agents and buyers.

You will need to take into account the condition of your home, what comparable homes in your neighborhood are selling for, and state of the overall market in your area. It's often difficult to remain unbiased when putting a price on your home, so your real estate agent's expertise is invaluable at this step. Your agent will know what comparable homes are selling for in your neighborhood and the average time those homes are sitting on the market. If you want a truly objective opinion about the price of your home, you could have an appraisal done. This typically costs a few hundred dollars.

Remember: You're always better off setting a fair market value price than setting your price too high. Studies show that homes priced higher than 3 percent of their market value take longer to sell. If your home sits on the market for too long, potential buyers may think there is something wrong with the property. Often, when this happens, the seller has to drop the price below market value to compete with newer, reasonably priced listings.

Prepare your home

Most of us don't keep our homes in "showroom" condition. We tend to overlook piles of boxes in the garage, broken porch lights, and doors or windows that stick. It's time to break out of that owner's mindset and get your house in tip-top shape. The condition of your home will affect how quickly it sells and the price the buyer is willing to offer. First impressions are the most important. H Realty will help you take a fresh look at your home and suggest ways to stage it and make it more appealing to buyers.

Repair: Make minor repairs and replacements. Small defects, such as a leaky faucet, a torn screen or a worn doormat, can ruin the buyer's first impression.
Declutter: Clutter is a big no-no when showing your home to potential buyers. Make sure you have removed all knick-knacks from your shelves and cleared all your bathroom and kitchen counters to make every area seem as spacious as possible.
Depersonalize: A home with too much "personality" is harder to sell. Removing family photos, mementos and personalized decor will help buyers visualize the home as theirs.

Get the word out

Now that you're ready to sell, your real estate agent will set up a marketing strategy specifically for your home. There are many ways to get the word out, including:

The Internet
Yard signs
Open houses
Media advertising
Agent-to-agent referrals

Your agent will use a combination of these tactics to bring the most qualified buyers to your home. Your agent should structure the marketing plan so that the first three to six weeks are the busiest.

Receive an offer

When you receive a written offer from a potential buyer, your real estate agent will first find out whether or not the individual is prequalified or pre-approved to buy your home. If so, then you and your agent will review the proposed contract, taking care to understand what is required of both parties to execute the transaction. The contract, though not limited to this list, should include the following:

Offer price
Due Diligence fee
Earnest Money
Due Diligence date
Settlement Date
Financial arrangements
Personal Property
Closing Costs
Home Warranty

At this point, you have three options: accept the contract as is, accept it with changes (a counteroffer), or reject it. Remember: Once both parties have signed a written offer, the document becomes legally binding. Be certain to address any questions or concerns with your real estate agent right away.

Negotiate to sell

Most offers to purchase your home will require some negotiating to come to a win-win agreement. H Realty is well versed on the intricacies of the contracts used in your area and will protect your best interest throughout the bargaining. Your agent also knows what each contract clause means, what you will net from the sale and what areas are easiest to negotiate. Some negotiable items: Price, Financing, Closing costs, Appliances and fixtures, Move-in date, and Repairs. Once both parties have agreed on the terms of the sale and signed the Offer to Purchase you will have an executed contract.

Post contract

Prepare to close

Once you accept an offer to sell your house, your agent will guide you through the list of things you must do before closing. The property may be formally appraised, surveyed, inspected or repaired. Your real estate agent will spearhead the effort and serve as your advocate when dealing with the buyer's agent and service providers.

Depending on the written contract, you may pay for all, some or none of these items. If each procedure returns acceptable results as defined by the contract, then the sale may continue. If there are problems with the home, the terms set forth in the contract will dictate your next step. The buyer may decide to walk away, open a new round of negotiations or proceed to closing.

Prepare to close

You should also begin to make arrangements for your upcoming move and make a "to do" list for turning the property over to the new owners.

Here is a checklist to get you started.

Collect owner's manuals and warranties for all conveying appliances.
Cancel electricity, water, gas, internet and other routine services.
Provide your agent with a list of utility providers to be shared with the buyer.
Gather all house/shed/crawlspace keys and garage door openers to be given to the new owner at closing.

Close the deal

Prepare to close

Close the deal

"Closing" or settlement refers to the meeting where ownership of the property is legally transferred to the buyer.

As a seller, you will arrange to sign seller documents at the closing attorney’s office prior to the buyer’s scheduled closing and it will only take about 10 minutes - easy! You will need to take a government id with you to closing.

Your agent will keep you updated in regards to the completion of the buyer’s closing and when the new deed has been officially recorded! Once the new deed is recorded you have officially completed the selling process! Congratulations!

Selling A Home

Define your needs

Price your home

Prepare your home

Get the word out

Receive an offer

Negotiate to sell

More

Post contract

Prepare to close

Prepare to close

Prepare to close

Prepare to close

Prepare to close

Close the deal

Prepare to close

Close the deal

ON TO THE NEXT ADVENTURE!

Selling A Home

Define your needs

Price your home

Prepare your home

Get the word out

Receive an offer

Negotiate to sell

More

Post contract

Prepare to close

Prepare to close

Prepare to close

Prepare to close

Prepare to close

Close the deal

Prepare to close

Close the deal

ON TO THE NEXT ADVENTURE!

This website uses cookies.