Whether you’ve lived in the same house for forty years or it’s your first time, selling your home probably seems overwhelming.  Let me assure you that the experience can be just the opposite!  Though there are many steps and moving pieces involved, together we'll work toward a smooth transaction that maximizes your bottom line.

Start Here

This is where most people dive into “Preparing your home for sale” or “Pricing your home right”, while undoubtedly important these overlook a crucial step in the process.

When you meet with a real estate professional to talk about listing your home have this question in the back of your head: “Am I ok with working with this person for potentially the next few months?” Unlike buying a car, when you sign on the “dotted line” the process is just beginning.  

Any agent that tells you their transactions are always smooth with no issues is not being truthful. In all likelihood there will be an issue, or a few that come up; make sure your agent is someone you can work with to overcome any obstacles.

Prepare Your Home

When presenting your home to prospective buyers, first impression is everything. Buyers begin judging your home the moment they see it.

Working with your agent identify cost-effective improvements that might be worth doing before your home hits the market. Think about refinishing hardwood floors, having carpets professionally cleaned, fresh paint, power washing your home’s exterior, revamping landscaping, etc.  Investments like these in combination with a thorough cleaning go a long way when it’s time to market your home.  Although you likely love your home the way it is, buyers look for a clean slate. Don’t over renovate and don’t personalize these improvements.

Focus on the feeling the buyer gets when walking up the steps and through the front door.

Declutter! We all have clutter, so don't be embarrassed. If possible, move extra items to storage, the basement, the garage, or to donation. Clutter and overly personalized effects sometimes distract buyers from the home's features in photos and in person. 

Strategically Price your Home to get Top Market Value

Determining the best asking price for your home is one of the most difficult aspects of selling it. You don’t want to set the price too high as it could deter buyers and qualified offers. If you set the price too low it could set you up for offers and negotiations resulting in less than what the market may have supported.

Your home’s value is determined by what the market is willing to pay for it at a given time. Your agent should provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). This CMA should include recent sales of homes like yours in your area. By seeing the home in person and using the CMA you and your agent will work together to come up with an optimal listing price.

Activity is highest within the first 4 weeks of listing, after that it starts to become “stale”. Your home will start to look like it has a history of being rejected by other buyers resulting in less showings, less offers and a lower likelihood of getting your asking price.

Time to hit the Market

Your agent should hire a professional photographer to come make sure your home is being seen in its best light. High quality photos are essential to a strong listing as they are the first thing potential buyers are going to see. Where applicable most photographers can also do floorplans and 3D tours as well.

After photos are taken your agent will list your home on the Multiple Listing Service which then distributes it to third party websites like Zillow.com and Realtor.com.

Have your home ready for showings. Assuming you still live in the home it will be tough to keep it as picture perfect as it was for photographs, but do your best to keep it as clean and organized as possible.

Showing Tips:

• Ideally you should be absent so that the buyers are comfortable talking with each other and their agent.

• Open all drapes and window shades to let in as much light as possible.

• Turn the lights on, especially in darker areas like hallways.

• Leave interior doors open to make the home feel more inviting.

• Open windows beforehand to circulate fresh air, if possible.

• Pick up toys, make beds and make sure clothes are put away.

• Take the trash and recycling out.

• Create a welcoming but not overwhelming aroma. Baking some cookies to leave out for your prospective buyers (and their agent) never hurts!

• Pet areas should be clean and odor free.

• Hide or remove jewelry and small valuables.

Offers received

Hopefully you will receive an offer, ideally a few! You and your agent will work to narrow the offers down and negotiate terms. Its not all about comparing the bottom lines, offers can have different terms like: Inspection contingencies, closing dates, financing contingencies etc. all of which can be negotiated.

Appraisal

If the buyer is securing a mortgage, an appraisal will take place to verify that your home is worth the price of the accepted offer. If the appraisal comes back lower than the agreed upon purchase price, renegotiation may be necessary as the buyer’s lender can only provide a mortgage based on the appraised value.

Clear to close

Just before closing, your buyers will have a final walkthrough with their agent to ensure the house is “broom clean” and that requested repairs have been completed. Your attorney will handle the rest!  Congratulations on the sale of your home!