Just like the process of buying a home, the process of selling a home reaps the most reward when the correct initial steps are taken early on in the process in order to benefit the overall transaction. Since selling a home is an important life step that requires some attention to detail please consider the general timeline outlined below. We are experts at listing homes it is our profession and something we deal with on a daily basis. So please feel free to use these suggestions to your advantage as a guide along your process to success.

Pricing

The most important mind set to take when listing a home is the notion of being realistic about the current market and the condition of your home. In no other stage will taking a realistic mindset be more profitable than while pricing your home. More often than not asking too much for your home will ultimately get you less than your desired profit from the sale. The first step to take in doing your homework is to find out how long properties in your neighborhood are taking to sell, and determine why. If properties are taking a long time to sell is it just the current market or is the property overpriced? Check out what properties like yours have recently sold for in your neighborhood. Figure out who your buyers market is and reach out to them. These steps are all included in a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), something I do for each of my clients. We then sit down and I share with them what I find, together we determine a listing price for their home that will achieve the best results possible. Pricing your home right at the start will get you the most for your investment. During the entire process remember to consider your buyer. Ask yourself, who is the person shopping right now for a home like mine? Keep an open mind, expect negotiations, and look at the process of selling your home with an end goal of being a fair and equitable transaction for both parties involved.

Make Your Home Available

Now your home is listed for sale. We will put it on the multiple listing services, and make it available to buyers agents. The more interest you get in your home at the beginning the better chances of selling your home quickly will be. Make your home as available as possible for the best results. A buyer will not be able to envision themselves living in a home if they cannot take a look around. Be prepared to have your home open at certain times during the day. Expect that strangers will be in your home but keep in mind that they will always be accompanied by their professional licensed agent. People who take the time to walk through your house must be somewhat interested, so make sure that you make it easy for them to see the structure of your property and not just your belongings in it. People, by nature, can be very easily distracted. Keep their focus on your homes features by depersonalizing your home. Put away keepsakes and de-clutter the surfaces. The beds should always be made and the rooms kept neat and tidy. Dust the shelves and clean the floors. Kitchens and bathrooms should be squeaky clean. These steps will always make a huge impact on home buyers impressions.

Negotiations

There are four key factors that sell real estate: pricing, location, condition, and exposure. Savvy buyers are constantly on the lookout for new listings. Getting it right on all four points from the start will make all of the difference in the sale of your home. You can expect one of three things to happen once your home is on the open market. You may see no offers from buyers at all, multiple offers, or a single offer. Take each situation seriously and act accordingly. You can always reevaluate your next move given the quality of offers you receive.

Obviously each real estate transaction comes with its own unique qualities and points to consider. These steps are meant to be a general sneak peek into what to expect and consider. Please contact me for specific counsel that addresses your unique property so that I can help you obtain success with your transaction!