Sell

Selling Your Home Step-By-Step… Smart > Easy > Sane

As you probably know, you’re not the only one who’s selling a home in your community. But did you know that some 100,000 people join you each week? With those kinds of numbers, it’s easy to see that competition is pretty fierce. So, the better prepared you are, the better your experience will be and the better (and likely faster) outcome you can expect. Let’s keep this Smart > Easy > Sane!

1. Make a Good First Impression.

A well-maintained home will generally sell faster and for a higher price than a similar home that looks drab or run-down. When you prepare your home for sale, take a critical look inside and out. If you’re having trouble being objective, ask your ChangingStreets.com agent, a neighbor or a friend to help. (you can even go to ChangingStreets.com and look at photos of other people’s homes and get ideas on what looks good).  And don’t take the input to heart. Everyone has things—big or small—to clean up, repair or replace.

Three tips> a clean refrigerator front, a bowl of green apples,  and look at all door knobs and light switches.

2. Know the Market.

Your home will be competing with similar homes for sale in and around your neighborhood, so it’s a good idea to know which homes are on the market and what their asking prices are. Take a walk or drive around the area to look for signs and check web listings. You can contact ChangingStreets.com and they will set you up with a neighborhood portal that will keep you informed of all the new listings, sales and price changes in your neighborhood.  Your ChangingStreets.com agent will be the expert to provide you information on area homes for sale. All of this will help you when you work together with your agent to determine the fair market value  and right price of your own home.

3. Price Your Home Correctly.

Pricing your home too high can discourage offers from serious buyers. On the other hand, pricing your home too low won’t leave you much room to negotiate. That’s why intelligent pricing is so important. Work with your ChangingStreets.com agent to determine the best list price for your home.

4. Make Sure Your Home is Marketed Effectively.

It’s tough to sell your home if no one knows it’s for sale. A ChangingStreets.com agent can create a plan that provides maximum exposure and the correct message for your home using our web site, direct mail and other marketing tools. This unique combination of services means your home is properly  marketed every single day until it’s sold.

5. Prepare for Showings and Open Houses.

Showings and Open Houses let potential buyers personally tour your home to see if it fits their lifestyle. Your goal should be to create an environment where potential buyers can visualize how the space will fit them. This includes removing items from your kitchen counters and arranging your furniture to create a simple, spacious appearance—so it’s easier for buyers to see themselves living there. Your ChangingStreets.com agent will provide you with not only a detailed list but also an implementation plan.

6. Negotiate the Terms of the Sale.

Buyers and sellers usually expect to negotiate the price and terms of a home sale. You can speed up this process if you evaluate and respond to offers and counteroffers in a timely fashion. Don’t worry if you’re not personally comfortable negotiating; your ChangingStreets.com agent has great experience and will help you through this process by handling all negotiations and sharing with you all the market information to assist in making smart decisions.

7. Review the Home Inspector’s Findings.

A home inspection is part of the process—stay calm. After the inspection results are delivered, many buyers request certain repairs. As the seller, you should receive a written copy of the inspection report as well. Be sure to review it carefully so you understand the nature and extent of any problems and repairs a buyer may request. Your agent should help you respond to the inspection, clearly stating what you will take care of, how and when.

8. Sign the Purchase Agreement.

Once you reach an understanding with the buyer, it’s time to sign the purchase agreement. Review this document carefully and discuss it with your ChangingStreets.com agent. The purchase agreement will specify the terms and conditions to which you have agreed.

9. Prepare for Closing.

The closing process involves an attorney and/or title company representative, the buyer, listing and selling broker/agent, and you, the seller. This important meeting will include the final transaction, which is transferring the home from your possession to the new owner. Make sure you bring all equipment warranties, instructions and maintenance or operation information to provide to the new owners—and don’t forget the keys and garage door openers too. ( We will remind you, we know this can be a crazy day!)

10. Have an agent with StreetSmarts.

Even the strongest planned transaction can run into obstacles. That is where experience and perseverance come into play to solve your problems and handle all the issues that come up during the transaction.

The goal is simple—to raise the expectations of consumers. To empower you with information that will make the experience Smart > Easy > Sane. We save our clients time and stress. Period.

At ChangingStreets.com® we love what we do and we do what we love. We are in a rapidly changing industry and we pride ourselves on keeping our clients ahead of the curve. We’ve got StreetSmarts. We’d love to go to work for you in selling your home… and buying your next one, too!