Choosing the correct real estate agent to sell your home is one of your most important decisions. It can be the difference between your home sitting on the market for months or selling quickly, for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars more. Your home is a very personal, meaningful, and valuable asset, and it can be an emotional and complicated endeavor to sell it, especially in today’s challenging marketplace. Numerous questions and concerns will need to be addressed, and the advice and consultation that you receive can make a tremendous difference in the results. Marketing and advertising, remodeling and upgrading, photography, internet exposure, staging, design, floor-plan measurements, videography, timing and presentation, inspections, pre-market exposure, agent outreach, and relationships, open houses, pricing, and dozens of more nuances and subtleties all make up the difference between failure and a successful sale.
Why Should You Choose Our Professionals
You may opt to sell your property independently. However, there are many excellent reasons why you should choose us to assist you in this significant undertaking. I will ensure you maximize your opportunities in the current real estate market. With the extensive contact networks I have developed through the many national and international organizations I am a member of, as well as our current and past clients, I will employ the most effective marketing and advertising strategies for your property. I will also guide you through the complicated paperwork, from the initial agreement to the final documents.
What To Look For In An Agent
The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when looking for a listing agent:
1. Education. The most crucial factor in choosing a real estate professional is their education in the real estate industry. Our professionals have advanced training and education, allowing them to be among the world’s top agents and earn prestigious designations in the various fields of real estate.
2. Experience and Expertise. You want a full-time agent familiar with your area and the type of property you intend to sell. Do they employ a diverse range of marketing and
advertising strategies? How tech-savvy is your agent? How many similar properties have they been able to sell in the past?
3. Availability and Commitment. Your agent should be capable of prompt and decisive action while selling your property. Does your agent make it a point to constantly keep in touch with you? Can your agent be easily contacted in emergencies or for straightforward questions? Is your agent available on the weekends or evenings when most buyers are out looking?
4. Rapport. Does your agent take the time to listen to your goals and clarify your needs? Can your agent understand your unique situation and be genuinely concerned about the outcome of the process? Your listing agent will be your guide and partner in this crucial decision, so finding one with whom you can get along is essential.
What Is Your Property Worth?
Without a professional agent, most independent property sellers tend to overestimate the value of their property. You can avoid this pitfall by consulting an experienced real estate listing agent.
You can do a lot to increase the Appeal of your property and to create a lasting impact on potential
buyers.
What To Do To Prepare
The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when listing your property for sale:
1. Curb Appeal.
Keeping your landscape pristine and adding creative touches to your yard, such as colorful annuals, will immediately impact passers-by and potential buyers.
2. Property Repairs.
Simple upgrades such as window repairs, polishing the doorknobs, and a fresh coat of paint in the most frequently used rooms will instantly brighten the property.
3. Cleanliness and Staging.
Keep your property uncluttered, sweet-smelling, and well-lit from top to bottom. Pay attention to details: put away the kitty litter, place a vase of fresh flowers near the entryway, pop a batch of cinnamon rolls in the oven, and have your carpets cleaned. Your agent will scan the property before it is listed for sale to see how you can improve its staging.
4. Disclosures and Inspections.
I am very familiar with the legal procedures involved in disclosures and am ready to help you develop a thorough disclosure statement that benefits both you and the buyer. I can also suggest home improvement measures (such as termite and pest inspections) before placing your property on the market.
5. Showtime.
I will present your property to potential buyers. If you are not there, buyers feel more comfortable discussing the property with the agent. Moreover, when speaking with prospective buyers, your agent will know what information will be most useful in representing your interests.
The Price Is Not Always Right
“The higher the price, the better the offer.” This common belief can be misleading. Price is not always the deciding factor when accepting an offer. The initial offer is often just the starting point, and various terms and conditions can significantly impact the final outcome. Rest assured, our team of seasoned professionals will guide you through this process, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of every proposal without compromising your marketing position.
Negotiating The Right Way
At our agency, we take the ethical responsibility of negotiating contractual terms very seriously. Our aim is to find a win-win agreement that benefits all parties involved. You may encounter multiple offers, but we will provide a thorough and objective assessment of each, respecting your judgment and helping you make the most suitable choice.
The Initial Agreement and Deposit
An effective agreement is a legal arrangement between a potential purchaser and the property’s seller. Laws vary from state to state, but to be a legally, binding agreement, the agreement may require consideration. This consideration (initial and additional deposit) is to be held in the closing agent’s escrow account pending the fulfillment of conditions or contingencies in the effective agreement. I call this consideration the Earnest Money Deposit. Some essential tips to keep in mind to streamline the process even further:
Keep written records of everything
For clarity, it will be beneficial to transcribe all verbal agreements, including counter-offers and addendums and convert them to written agreements to be signed by both parties. I will assist you in drafting all the paperwork for your sale and ensure you have copies of everything.
Stick to the schedule
Now that you have chosen your offer, you and the buyer will be given a timeline to mark every stage in closing the real estate contract. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smoother flow of negotiations and that each party involved is not in breach of their agreements. I will keep you updated during the process so you will always be prepared for the next step.
Most buyers will have the property inspected by a licensed property inspector within the time frame agreed upon in the contract. This time frame is the buyer’s unrestricted right to terminate, also known as the option period. Some buyers will have several different inspectors inspect the property if they wish to obtain professional opinions from inspectors who specialize in a specific area, e.g., roof, HVAC, or foundation. How do you respond objectively and fairly to the buyer when a renegotiation is demanded while acting in your best interests? This is when a professional listing agent can make a real difference in the transaction’s outcome. I will negotiate to ensure you keep as much money from the proceeds as possible.
Loan Approval and Appraisal.
Accept buyers with a lender’s pre-approval, approval letter, or written loan commitment, which is a better guarantee of loan approval than a pre-qualification or no documentation from a lending institute. Expect an appraiser from the lender’s company to review your property and verify the appropriate sales price.
Closing Day
If you have come this far, it is almost time for congratulations, but not yet. Do not forget to tie up these loose ends:
Final Walk-Through Inspection.
The final inspection is more of a formality than anything else. It takes place the day before or the day of the closing. The buyer visits the property to verify that everything is in working order, everything is the same as when the buyer last viewed the property, and no extra items are left behind.
Cancel Home Services and Utilities.
I will provide a list of useful numbers for terminating home services and utilities after the closing.
Be Prepared
I am ready to assist you should there be an unforeseen glitch, even at this last stage. If something at the property breaks down or the buyers’ loan does not pull through on time, there is no need to worry. I have encountered these problems before, so I know how to handle them efficiently and stress-free.
Closing
The closing agent will provide all parties involved with a settlement statement, which summarizes and details the financial transactions enacted in the process. The buyer(s) will sign this statement and then you will sign as well as the closing agent, certifying its accuracy. If you are unable to attend the scheduled closing, then arrangements can be made depending on the circumstances and the notice that I receive. This flexibility is to ensure that the closing process is as convenient as possible for you. If you are receiving funds from the transaction, you can elect to either have the funds wired electronically to an account at your financial institution or have a check issued to you at the closing. The seller should arrange to have all property keys and any other important information for the new purchaser at the closing, so that the purchaser may receive these items at this time.
