Selling Your Home
Preparing to Sell
You’ve decided to put your home up for sale and you’re ready to choose a broker. Make sure that you choose someone who makes you feel comfortable, and who earns your trust and confidence. Potential brokers will provide you with a Competitive Market Analysis, their estimate of what someone would be willing to pay for your property. Learn how brokers price your home, and how this can affect the success of your listing.
How to Attract Buyers
What can you do to make potential buyers fall in love with your home? The key is creating a “blank canvas” onto which buyers can imagine their own family, their own furniture and style. Now’s the time to consider repainting a bright bedroom color to a more neutral shade, or decluttering your home office. You’ll also likely need to adjust your daily routines, to accommodate showing times. Here are the top tips we recommend to clients.
Considering Offers
It’s important to keep in mind that an offer should be answered quickly. This is because a potential buyer could withdraw the offer (with earnest money being returned) anytime prior to receiving word from you that you have accepted. For example, while you’re deciding on an offer, you could receive word that the buyer is revoking her offer and purchasing another property.
Your broker will help you determine if an offer is worthy of acceptance, or if a counteroffer might be a good option to try. Make sure you weigh the pros and cons before proceeding with a counteroffer, and be ready to accept the consequences.
Closing Checklist
The Inspection
Your buyers will spend 2 to 3 hours in your home with an inspector. Any problems they discover could bring about a new round of negotiations, so an experienced broker is your best advocate. If repairs are needed, we can offer a wide-ranging list of trusted contractors.
The Appraisal
At this final hurdle to closing, the appraiser determines whether your home was priced responsibly. In the event of an appraisal challenge, an experienced and respected Realtor® will be ready with a willing attitude and evidence to back up your home’s value.
Your Closing
At closing, you will sign over the property to the buyer, fully pay off any mortgages, and receive your sales proceeds. Leave young children with a sitter if possible, and make sure to bring keys, garage door openers, and other items as advised by your Realtor®.