Tips to the Seller
10 Deadly Sins of Selling
Seller's Plan of Action
Selecting a REALTOR®
Your most important decision when selling your home is the selection of the person you choose to represent you.
The job of your REALTOR® is to support and advise you in selling your home with the best possible terms and to aid you through the entire process.
Your REALTOR® will explain the process of selling a home and familiarize you with the various activities, documents and procedures you will experience throughout the transaction.
Tips For Selecting A REALTOR®
Your REALTOR® should be:
- Aware of the complicated local and state requirements affecting your transaction
- Effective in multi-party, face-to-face negotiations
- Highly-trained, with access to programs for continued learning and additional certifications
- Resourceful in attracting the largest possible pool of potential buyers
- Knowledgeable in the technology resources to facilitate the transaction
- Assisted by a fully-staffed marketing department
- Supported by professional and knowledgeable Brokers and/or Managers
Developing a Marketing Strategy
In order to sell your home quickly and with the best possible terms, it is necessary to prepare your home for the market. This process includes:
- Deciding when to put your home on the market
- Establishing a strategic price based on recent comparable sales, local market conditions and your motivation to sell
- Estimating probable net proceeds
- Advising you on how to make your home more appealing to potential buyers
Marketing Your Property, Your REALTOR® will:
- Order a "FOR SALE" sign to be placed prominently on your property
- Install a lock box to make it easy for agents to show your home
- Submit your home to the Multiple Listing Service for immediate exposure to the REALTOR® community
- Develop a flyer/brochure highlighting the features and benefits of your home.
- Promote your home at the appropriate Association of REALTOR'S for maximum exposure to other cooperating agents
- Hold open houses when appropriate
- Contact your neighbors to promote the property
- Advertise your property at our regular office meetings
- Feature your property on our web site and REALTOR.com.
- Ask clients and colleagues if they know of possible buyers
- Discuss with you the Seller's 10 Deadly Sins, Realty America's Plan of Action and the Realty America Tips to the Seller
Managing the Transaction
You'll appreciate having a strong advocate on your side during the transaction!
Negotiating the Offer
Your REALTOR® will immediately, or as soon as practicable, present and explain all offers to you. You will be able to accept, reject, or counter any offer presented. During the negotiation process, your REALTOR® will leverage their experience and skills to advocate your interests by:
- Reviewing the contract and obligations before you sign
- Explaining how contingencies and release clauses work
- Protecting you from signing a "blank check" for unknown problems or repairs
- Defining legal disclosure requirements
- Orchestrate the offer process for "back-up" offers, if necessary.
Throughout the negotiation, your REALTOR® will provide you with a professional, objective point of view; but the final decision of accepting an offer is yours.
After the Offer is Accepted
Once an offer is accepted, your REALTOR® will manage all the details to make the process as stress-free and efficient as possible:
- Staying in contact with the buyer's agent to ensure a smooth escrow
- Following up on the progress of the buyer's loan
- Monitoring all due diligence and contingency removal deadlines
- Assisting you if a conflict with the buyer arises
Finalizing and Closing the Transaction
Finalizing the process includes reviewing all closing documents and ensuring both parties have copies. When the transaction has closed, your REALTOR® will ensure arrangements are made for closing check delivery and the keys are to the new owner or their agent.