Selling Your Home
Your home is more than an architectural structure. Through the years, it has become an extension of who you are, representing your personality, style and values. That's why selling it can be both an emotional and intimidating experience. But it can also be an exiting, rewarding time as you look forward to new experiences.
This section is designed to help you transition from the emotional decision to the objective planning phase by arming you with key information about the home selling process. The four major steps in selling a house are addresed in this section: (I) Planning the Sale; (II) Understanding the Market; (III) Getting Your Home Ready to Show; and (IV) Closing the Deal.
Make note of your questions as you read. Our CENTURY 21 Empire Realty, S.E. sales associates are familiar with every aspect of the real estate transaction and can answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Planning the Sale
Although selling is generally less complicated than buying a home, you'll still need to do some homework and planning to ensure you get top dollar on the sale. Here's a checklist to get you started.
- Select a sales associate right for you.
- Sign the listing agreement.
- With the help of your sales associate, review the latest real estate market trends and determine the right selling price.
- Estimate the amount of profit you'll make from the sale.
- Review financing options available to potential buyers.
- Arrange for inspections.
- Make any necessary repairs.
- Get the house in showing condition.
- Review the offers your sales associate presents to you.
- Close the deal.
Selling with a Professional at Your Side
Now that you've decided to sell, you will immediately be faced with the decision to hire a real estate professional or try to sell the house yourself. given the complex personal and financial decisions involved, enlisting the help of an experieced and objective real estate professional can save you time, frustration, and potentially thousands of dollars.
If you still are considering selling the house on your own, ask yourself the following questions first: Are you prepared to buy advertising space? If not, can you afford the time it will take to sell your house with only a sign in the yard? Are you willing to stay close to home for days, weeks, maybe months to show your home? Do you possess the necessary legal and financial knowledge to answer buyer's questions, negotiate a contract or close a sale?
If you answered "No" to any of these questions, perhaps enlisting a sales associate to help would be the most efficient and profitable way to sell your house. A real estate professional will provide the following serivices:
- Access the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) which exposes your home to all cooperating member brokers.
- Assist with pricing the house properly based on a Comprehensive Market Analysis.
- Provide a detailed marketing plan.
- Screen potential buyers for financial qualifications.
- Provide suggestions for making your property more attracive to potential buyers.
- Show your home, with your permission.
- Answer buyer's questions.
- Present all offers.
- Negotiate for top dollar on your behalf.
- Facilitate the closing process.
Learn More about Selling a Home
