Tips
For 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 you in selling your home with the
best possible terms, and to aid you through the entire process. Not all Real Estate Agents are Realtors; the designation
denotes membership in the National Association of Realtors.
Your Realtor will explain the process of selling
a home, and familiarize you with the various activities, documents and procedures that you will experience throughout the
transaction.
Your Real Estate Professional
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 that facilitate the transaction.
- Assisted
by a fully-staffed marketing department.
- Supported by professional legal counsel.
Developing a Marketing Strategy:
In
order to sell your home quickly and on with the best possible terms, it's 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:
- Ordering a "FOR SALE" sign to be placed prominently
on your property.
- Installing a lock box to make it easy for agents to show your home.
- Submitting your home to the regional Multiple Listing Service for immediate exposure
to the real estate community.
- Arranging for Sales Associates in the area to tour the
home.
- Developing a flyer/brochure highlighting the features and benefits of your home.
- Promoting your home at the appropriate Association(s) of Realtors' for maximum exposure
to other agents.
- Holding open houses when appropriate.
- Contacting
your neighbors to promote the property.
- Advertising your property on our regular office
schedule meetings.
- Featuring your property on our web site, YouTube, REALTOR.com. and
many other Internet sites.
- Asking clients and colleagues if they know of possible buyers.
Managing the Transaction:
You'll appreciate having a strong advocate on your side during the transaction!
Negotiating
the Offer:
Your Realtor will immediately 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:
- 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 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 Sales Associate will deliver the closing check
to you and the keys to the new owner.