Steps of The Home Selling Process

This guide will help you through the planning process of selling your home. Yes, “planning”. If you don’t have a plan, you don’t know where you are going or how to get there. This plan applies whether you are a first-time seller or a veteran who has sold a home before. Don’t forget, the most important element of the process is you, the consumer. As a seller or a buyer, the final decisions are ultimately yours. We Realtors® are here to help you along the way by providing information and answers to the questions you may have so you can make the right decisions for you, the consumer. Never forget that!

Step 1 -- ARE YOU READY?

First you have to determine if you are ready and prepared to sell your home. Here are several questions to ask yourself.

- Why do you want or need to sell?

- How soon do you have to move?

- Are your finances in order?

- Need to buy a home?

Step 2 -- FIND A REALTOR®

Every seller should consider enlisting the services of a Realtor® as a Seller’s agent. It is important for sellers as well as buyers to be adequately represented in the real estate process. There is a myriad of forms involved in the selling process and other details to attend to such as financing, inspections, pricing, negotiating and marketing. You need someone in your corner looking out for your rights and have your best interest at heart. I'd be happy to help you if you are interested - find out more.

Step 3 – PREPARE YOUR HOME

When trying to sell your home, it is crucial that your home looks its best. You want to showcase your home so potential buyers that come to look at your home notice its best features. You want to look at every area of your home and see what can be done to perk things up and draw attention to its special characteristics. Think about curb appeal, first impressions and putting your home's best foot forward - inside and out. Declutter your home -- too much stuff can make the rooms look smaller.  Don't forget the closets -- potential buyers will look in there too!  Lighten up your home -- make it bright and cheery so potential buyers see all that is there.  All this should all be done before you list your home for sale. A Realtor® can also offer suggestions of things to do to help you get the most for your home.

Step 4 – LIST & SHOW YOUR HOME

Now that all the preparation work is done, it is time to list your home. You need to do all the preparation work so your home is ready to show from day one of listing it. You want to showcase your home so it is seen in its best light from the very beginning. The first few weeks are critical to harness all the potential buzz possible about your newly listed home.  It is CRITICAL to list your home for the right price.

You should make sure every attempt is made to NOT be present when you home is being shown. The buyers will need space and time to “try your home on for size”, without you being around to stifle their thought process.  Learn more.

Step 5 – ACCEPTING AN OFFER

At some point, you will get an offer from a buyer. The buyer wants to get the right house for the lowest price. The seller wants to sell their home quickly and for the highest price. Negotiating involves some give and take to come to a place where the buyer and seller each feel they have gotten what they wanted. Realtors® have experience with negotiating and are a good neutral party to take a step back from the emotions of buying and selling a home.

Step 6 -- TEND TO THE DETAILS

Now that you have accepted an offer you and the buyers are in agreement on the terms of the sales agreement, it is time to tend to the details to get to settlement. This may include buyers finalizing their funding, completing inspections and obtaining hazard insurance and other particulars that may be necessary.

As the seller, your agent will track these contingencies to ensure all timelines are met. Meeting timelines is critical to a smooth road to settlement.

Step 7 -- MOVE OUT & CLOSE

Now that you are ready for settlement, you start the process of moving out. Prior to closing, the home should be vacated and all personal items removed.
At closing, you need to sign all the necessary paperwork to transfer ownership of the property to the buyers.

NOW WHAT?!?

The bottom line: As a seller, you want your house to sell quickly for the most money with less hassle.

Find out how much your home is worth in today's market.  Need help figuring out how to help your home show it's best?  Request a Maximum Home Value Audit -- never any obligation, just the facts.

Also, if there is any information I can provide or questions I can answer, please let me know -- I'm here to help!  I'd also be happy to share my extensive 28-step marketing plan with you and show you what your home is worth in today's market.  Of course, at no obligation.