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| Contact Me by Cell, Text or Email 585.820.3355 CharleneRe@KW.com |
| Carolyn Stiffler & Associates is home to "The FREE Moving Truck" for all of our Buyers and Sellers. |
1. Define your needs. Write down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to sell
and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?" For example, a growing family may prompt your need for a
larger home, or a job opportunity in another city may necessitate a move. For your goals, write down if you'd like to
sell your house within a certain time frame or make a particular profit margin. Work with your real estate agent to
map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale.
2. Name your price. Your next objective should be to determine the best possible selling price for your house.
Setting a fair asking price from the outset will generate the most activity from other real estate agents and buyers.
You will need to take into account the condition of your home, what comparable homes in your neighborhood are
selling for, and state of the overall market in your area. It's often difficult to remain unbiased when putting a price
on your home, so your real estate agent's expertise is invaluable at this step. Your agent will know what
comparable homes are selling for in your neighborhood and the average time those homes are sitting on the
market. If you want a truly objective opinion about the price of your home, you could have an appraisal done. This
typically costs a few hundred dollars. Remember: You're always better off setting a fair market value price than
setting your price too high. Studies show that homes priced higher than 3 percent of their market value take
longer to sell. If your home sits on the market for too long, potential buyers may think there is something wrong
with the property. Often, when this happens, the seller has to drop the price below market value to compete with
newer, reasonably priced listings.
3. Prepare your home. Most of us don't keep our homes in "showroom" condition. We tend to overlook piles of
boxes in the garage, broken porch lights, and doors or windows that stick. It's time to break out of that owner's
mindset and get your house in tip-top shape. The condition of your home will affect how quickly it sells and the
price the buyer is willing to offer. First impressions are the most important. Your real estate agent can help you
take a fresh look at your home and suggest ways to stage it and make it more appealing to buyers. * A home with
too much "personality" is harder to sell. Removing family photos, mementos and personalized décor will help
buyers visualize the home as theirs. * Make minor repairs and replacements. Small defects, such as a leaky
faucet, a torn screen or a worn doormat, can ruin the buyer's first impression. * Clutter is a big no-no when
showing your home to potential buyers. Make sure you have removed all knick-knacks from your shelves and
cleared all your bathroom and kitchen counters to make every area seem as spacious as possible.
4. Get the word out. Now that you're ready to sell, your real estate agent will set up a marketing strategy
specifically for your home. There are many ways to get the word out, including: * The Internet * Yard signs * Open
houses * Media advertising * Agent-to-agent referrals * Direct mail marketing campaigns In addition to listing
your home on the MLS, your agent will use a combination of these tactics to bring the most qualified buyers to
your home. Your agent should structure the marketing plan so that the first three to six weeks are the busiest.
5. Receive an offer. When you receive a written offer from a potential buyer, your real estate agent will first find
out whether or not the individual is prequalified or preapproved to buy your home. If so, then you and your agent
will review the proposed contract, taking care to understand what is required of both parties to execute the
transaction. The contract, though not limited to this list, should include the following: * Legal description of the
property * Offer price * Down payment * Financing arrangements * List of fees and who will pay them * Deposit
amount * Inspection rights and possible repair allowances * Method of conveying the title and who will handle the
closing * Appliances and furnishings that will stay with the home * Settlement date * Contingencies At this point,
you have three options: accept the contract as is, accept it with changes (a counteroffer), or reject it. Remember:
Once both parties have signed a written offer, the document becomes legally binding. If you have any questions
or concerns, be certain to address them with your real estate agent right away.
6. Negotiate to sell. Most offers to purchase your home will require some negotiating to come to a win-win
agreement. Your real estate agent is well versed on the intricacies of the contracts used in your area and will
protect your best interest throughout the bargaining. Your agent also knows what each contract clause means,
what you will net from the sale and what areas are easiest to negotiate. Some negotiable items: * Price *
Financing * Closing costs * Repairs * Appliances and fixtures * Landscaping * Painting * Move-in date Once both
parties have agreed on the terms of the sale, your agent will prepare a contract.
7. Prepare to close. Once you accept an offer to sell your house, you will need to make a list of all the things
you and your buyer must do before closing. The property may need to be formally appraised, surveyed, inspected
or repaired. Your real estate agent can spearhead the effort and serve as your advocate when dealing with the
buyer's agent and service providers. Depending on the written contract, you may pay for all, some or none of
these items. If each procedure returns acceptable results as defined by the contract, then the sale may continue.
If there are problems with the home, the terms set forth in the contract will dictate your next step. You or the buyer
may decide to walk away, open a new round of negotiations or proceed to closing. Important reminder: A few
days before the closing, you will want to contact the entity that is closing the transaction and make sure the
necessary documents will be ready to sign on the appropriate date. Also, begin to make arrangements for your
upcoming move if you have not done so.
8. Close the deal. "Closing" refers to the meeting where ownership of the property is legally transferred to the
buyer. Your agent will be present during the closing to guide you through the process and make sure everything
goes as planned. By being present during the closing, he or she can mediate any last-minute issues that may
arise. In some states, an attorney is required and you may wish to have one present. After the closing, you should
make a "to do" list for turning the property over to the new owners. Here is a checklist to get you started. * Cancel
electricity, gas, lawn care, cable and other routine services. * If the new owner is retaining any of the services,
change the name on the account. * Gather owner's manuals and warranties for all conveying appliances.
and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?" For example, a growing family may prompt your need for a
larger home, or a job opportunity in another city may necessitate a move. For your goals, write down if you'd like to
sell your house within a certain time frame or make a particular profit margin. Work with your real estate agent to
map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale.
2. Name your price. Your next objective should be to determine the best possible selling price for your house.
Setting a fair asking price from the outset will generate the most activity from other real estate agents and buyers.
You will need to take into account the condition of your home, what comparable homes in your neighborhood are
selling for, and state of the overall market in your area. It's often difficult to remain unbiased when putting a price
on your home, so your real estate agent's expertise is invaluable at this step. Your agent will know what
comparable homes are selling for in your neighborhood and the average time those homes are sitting on the
market. If you want a truly objective opinion about the price of your home, you could have an appraisal done. This
typically costs a few hundred dollars. Remember: You're always better off setting a fair market value price than
setting your price too high. Studies show that homes priced higher than 3 percent of their market value take
longer to sell. If your home sits on the market for too long, potential buyers may think there is something wrong
with the property. Often, when this happens, the seller has to drop the price below market value to compete with
newer, reasonably priced listings.
3. Prepare your home. Most of us don't keep our homes in "showroom" condition. We tend to overlook piles of
boxes in the garage, broken porch lights, and doors or windows that stick. It's time to break out of that owner's
mindset and get your house in tip-top shape. The condition of your home will affect how quickly it sells and the
price the buyer is willing to offer. First impressions are the most important. Your real estate agent can help you
take a fresh look at your home and suggest ways to stage it and make it more appealing to buyers. * A home with
too much "personality" is harder to sell. Removing family photos, mementos and personalized décor will help
buyers visualize the home as theirs. * Make minor repairs and replacements. Small defects, such as a leaky
faucet, a torn screen or a worn doormat, can ruin the buyer's first impression. * Clutter is a big no-no when
showing your home to potential buyers. Make sure you have removed all knick-knacks from your shelves and
cleared all your bathroom and kitchen counters to make every area seem as spacious as possible.
4. Get the word out. Now that you're ready to sell, your real estate agent will set up a marketing strategy
specifically for your home. There are many ways to get the word out, including: * The Internet * Yard signs * Open
houses * Media advertising * Agent-to-agent referrals * Direct mail marketing campaigns In addition to listing
your home on the MLS, your agent will use a combination of these tactics to bring the most qualified buyers to
your home. Your agent should structure the marketing plan so that the first three to six weeks are the busiest.
5. Receive an offer. When you receive a written offer from a potential buyer, your real estate agent will first find
out whether or not the individual is prequalified or preapproved to buy your home. If so, then you and your agent
will review the proposed contract, taking care to understand what is required of both parties to execute the
transaction. The contract, though not limited to this list, should include the following: * Legal description of the
property * Offer price * Down payment * Financing arrangements * List of fees and who will pay them * Deposit
amount * Inspection rights and possible repair allowances * Method of conveying the title and who will handle the
closing * Appliances and furnishings that will stay with the home * Settlement date * Contingencies At this point,
you have three options: accept the contract as is, accept it with changes (a counteroffer), or reject it. Remember:
Once both parties have signed a written offer, the document becomes legally binding. If you have any questions
or concerns, be certain to address them with your real estate agent right away.
6. Negotiate to sell. Most offers to purchase your home will require some negotiating to come to a win-win
agreement. Your real estate agent is well versed on the intricacies of the contracts used in your area and will
protect your best interest throughout the bargaining. Your agent also knows what each contract clause means,
what you will net from the sale and what areas are easiest to negotiate. Some negotiable items: * Price *
Financing * Closing costs * Repairs * Appliances and fixtures * Landscaping * Painting * Move-in date Once both
parties have agreed on the terms of the sale, your agent will prepare a contract.
7. Prepare to close. Once you accept an offer to sell your house, you will need to make a list of all the things
you and your buyer must do before closing. The property may need to be formally appraised, surveyed, inspected
or repaired. Your real estate agent can spearhead the effort and serve as your advocate when dealing with the
buyer's agent and service providers. Depending on the written contract, you may pay for all, some or none of
these items. If each procedure returns acceptable results as defined by the contract, then the sale may continue.
If there are problems with the home, the terms set forth in the contract will dictate your next step. You or the buyer
may decide to walk away, open a new round of negotiations or proceed to closing. Important reminder: A few
days before the closing, you will want to contact the entity that is closing the transaction and make sure the
necessary documents will be ready to sign on the appropriate date. Also, begin to make arrangements for your
upcoming move if you have not done so.
8. Close the deal. "Closing" refers to the meeting where ownership of the property is legally transferred to the
buyer. Your agent will be present during the closing to guide you through the process and make sure everything
goes as planned. By being present during the closing, he or she can mediate any last-minute issues that may
arise. In some states, an attorney is required and you may wish to have one present. After the closing, you should
make a "to do" list for turning the property over to the new owners. Here is a checklist to get you started. * Cancel
electricity, gas, lawn care, cable and other routine services. * If the new owner is retaining any of the services,
change the name on the account. * Gather owner's manuals and warranties for all conveying appliances.
| Eight Steps To Selling Your Home |
| Keller Williams GR West Carolyn Stiffler & Associates |
| Charlene Lipomi Associate Broker |
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