The Home Selling Process

The home selling process can be stressful, complex and emotional. Use the expert advice of a real estate agent to help guide you through the process.  The time, effort and financial exposure a Real Estate Professional will help you minimize is priceless.

Before You Start:
Locate all essential papers, including the deed and title to your house. If you have a mortgage with a bank, they will have the deed in their possession.

Prepare Your House for Sale:
Consult with your agent to help decide what improvements can be made before you begin to sell your home. A well kept and maintained home will be easier to sell at a higher price. Keep the exterior well maintained, it is the first thing potential buyers see. Clean everything in the house, apply fresh neutral paint, fix faucets etc. Finish all the repairs before you begin showing the house.

Determine The Selling Price:
Have your home professionally appraised before you decide on a selling price. Don’t assume that you should sell your home for what it was appraised for! Have your realtor do a complete Current Market Analysis to determine the appropriate selling price for the home. The Market Analysis will include what other homes in the area are selling for, or have sold for, current market conditions and comparisons to other similar homes currently on the market. This information will help to determine an appropriate selling price. A price too high will deter buyers and diminish the chances of selling the home quickly.

Advertising the Home:
Your agent will immediately begin to advertise your home for sale. A variety of creative techniques can be used including listing with local MLS, print advertisements or classifieds, open houses and private showings. Effective advertising is the most important step in the home selling process.  This is how potential buyers are found.

The Contract to Purchase:
When a buyer is interested in purchasing your home, the buyer will submit an offer to purchase in writing. Your agent will help you negotiate any changes you would like to make with the buyers original offer. Once you accept the offer, your agent will help draw up the Purchase and Sales Agreement. The Purchase and Sales Agreement sets forth the responsibilities of both the buyer and seller. The agreement should include all terms and conditions of the sale, such as sales price, earnest money deposit, financing terms, closing date, possession date, personal property to be included in the sale, tax pro-rations, and rights of inspection and possession.

The Closing:
The sale and contract are completed at this point. This is when the new deed is given to the buyer and the seller receives the remainder of the payment. Your agent will attend the closing whether you do or not, if you are unable to attend you must sign over power of attorney to whomever you want to represent you.