The Home Selling Process

 

We sell homes every day. Let’s make your next stage possible!


Step 1 - Start The Process

Sit down and discuss a list price for your home. Just prior to going on the market, I will research the current market to determine the value of your home using current competition and recently sold properties within 1 mile of your home. The value, of course, will be determined by how you home presents itself after the staging process. So in the meantime, we'll work with a range.

Once we decide to work together, we'll sign a listing agreement and go through paperwork that is required to put your property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

Step 2 - Staging

Meet with a stager to determine what simple things you can do to bring the maximum return on your investment. Buyers are looking for homes that don't have issues. As we know, every home is organic, so there will always be something to repair.

However, removing obvious things like leaky sinks, old wall paper or replacing dated or worn carpet is important. The stager will help you in doing this. She schedules a 2 hour consultation with you then follows up with a written report that you can work with in getting little tasks done prior to going on the market. The fee for the stager is paid for by me, showing my dedication in getting your home sold for top value and a short period of time.

Step 3 - Photography and Marketing Material

Once you are ready to go on the market, l'll contact my professional photographer who will then set up a time with you to take photos of your house. You do not need to be home for this. We'll ensure there is a lock box at your front door with a key to access your home. The cost for photography is covered by me.

We want to be sure the home is truly ready for market for this appointment because 24 hours after the photos are taken, l'm able to put your home on the market. We then put together a 2 paged glossy brochure. We bind this with your sellers disclosure, estimate of utilities and other wonderful details about your home and deliver this to your home. This is for potential buyers to take with them after they've seen your home. It keeps your home "top of mind".

Step 4 - Showings

The next step is the showing process. Usually buyers' agents request a showing several hours ahead of time. You will be alerted of a showing request via text and email. This way, if a showing request comes in late at night for the following day, you have plenty of warning.

Step 5 - The Offer

When a buyer decides that he or she would like to write an offer on your home, I'm presented with an offer via email. I review the terms and conditions and then present this to you along with an estimate of proceeds spreadsheet so that you have an understanding of your bottom line at the time of closing.

We can do this over the phone or in person. All terms are negotiable at this time including sale price, closing date, seller-paid closing costs, home warranty, etc.

Step 6 - Inspection

Once we have an executed purchase agreement, the seller will have a limited number of days to hire an inspector to inspect your home. The buyers usually attend this at the end of the inspection time frame, which is usually 4 hours long. The buyers) may ask you to remedy issues. Any of the buyers) requests can be negotiated.

The buyers may have a radon test done. This is a test that takes 48 hours to conduct. Be aware of this now common inspection. You may have had one done in the past and if so, we are required to present that to potential buyers. If the radon level comes in at 4.0 pCi/L or above, the buyers will likely ask you to install a radon mitigation system. The cost for a mitigation system is approximately $1,200, depending upon the layout of your home.

If you'd like to conduct a radon test prior to going on the market, you can pick one up inexpensively at a hardware store or some counties offer them for free. This way, you and the buyer have an understanding of the situation upfront. Even if you have this test, a buyer may conduct another. Keep in mind, radon levels vary greatly depending on the time of year, weather amount of airflow in the room with the test kit, etc.

Step 7 - Appraisal

After the inspection contingency has been removed, the buyer(s)' lender orders an appraisal of the home. You do not need to be home for the appraisal. The appraiser will make an appointment just like a showing for your home. They will come in, inspect, and determine if the home is of the value as the agreed-upon sale price. This takes about a week to get this report back.

Step 8 - Closing

Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off!

Closing. The entire process from signing the purchase agreement to the closing date is about 45 days. Mortgage companies require time to prepare the loan. If you have a buyer who will purchase your home for cash, the time frame can be shortened to 2 weeks.

Just prior to closing, be sure to contact all your utilities to have them taken out of your name on the day of closing.

Your proceeds from the sale of the home will be given to you in the form of a check or you may ask to have the funds wired to a bank account.

 

Ready to start the conversation about selling your home?