For Sellers
Is your home the most valuable thing you own? For most people,
the answer is yes. So when it comes time to sell your home,
it pays to seek out a real estate agent who will protect
your investment by pricing, staging, and marketing your home
for maximum appeal to buyers.
When selling your home, we can’t influence location,
the largest factor affecting the value, and timing, including
economic conditions, interest rates, and other available
homes in your area. But we can influence:
-
Price: set carefully to reflect the current market
trends
-
Condition: identify what to repair and/or replace
-
Terms:
be flexible to broaden the base of potential buyers
-
Marketing: provide maximum exposure
-
Accessibility: make it easy to view
Selling Your Home: Six Key Steps
-
Meet and Greet. Our first
consultation is all about listening. You tell us what
your goals are for the sale and we share our marketing
strategy to help you be successful. We answer any questions
you have about the seller/agent relationship and the
set expectations for the selling process.
-
Getting Your
Ducks in Line. We cover everything needed to ready your
home to be put on the market: which reports to order;
disclosure items; necessary repairs; possibility for
staging.
-
The Magic Number. We determine a list price by
weighing many factors: a comparative market analysis;
your time frame; personal requirements; and local market
conditions.
-
Spreading the Word. From newspaper ads to
web blogs, we utilize every marketing channel available
to us to reach the widest pool of buyers and agents.
-
Choosing
an Offer. We help you evaluate offers and negotiate terms
with the buyer. This culminates in the most fun step
of all: putting the SOLD sign in front of your house.
-
Closing
the Deal. Once all signatures are on the contract, we
manage the escrow, making sure all paperwork is completed
and all contingencies are removed as directed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Home Selling
How much should
I expect to pay to sell my home?
There are two main expenses
paid by the seller:
-
Real Estate Commission: The commission
is not fixed by law.
You will negotiate the commission with your agent.
-
Closing
Expenses and Costs: Costs vary depending on the sales
contract and may include items such as transfer taxes,
loan payoffs, termite inspection, any judgments and liens,
recording fees, tax pro-rations, notary fees and any
other negotiated items.
How are real estate agents compensated?
The commission amount
you negotiated with your agent is usually divided among her
and her Brokerage, the Buyer's agent's Brokerage, the Buyer's
agent and any referring agents. Real Estate commissions are
traditionally paid at the close of escrow from the Seller's
proceeds.
What is 'escrow'?
Escrow is a process for handling the details
of the transaction from the time the purchase agreement is
accepted until title is transferred to the buyer. An escrow
is a temporary deposit of assets, such as funds and documents,
with a neutral third party that makes sure that the terms
of the purchase agreement are carried out. The money is released
when the conditions of the contract between the two parties
have been met.
How long does escrow take?
An escrow averages about 30 to
45 days. It varies due to terms of the purchase agreement
and can range from a few days to several months.
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