Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you sell your home:

• Decide when to sell:

In real estate, timing can influence your home’s selling price. Factors like how quickly you need to sell, whether it’s a buyers or sellers market and seasonality are a few items that effect your home’s final selling price. Your Realtor®  will help advise you and give you direction.

• Find a REALTOR® who is right for you:

The REALTOR® who helped you buy your home is a good place to start. They already know your home and they know you, so you’ll be saving valuable time, right from the start. Look for names on “For Sale” signs in your neighborhood or ask your friends and family. Make sure to interview two or three Realtors®  and choose the one you like best. Selling your home is a team effort, that requires great communication on all parties part. Never assume your Realtor®  knows what you feel are your priorities.

• Sign a Listing Agreement :

This written contract authorizes your REALTOR® and their brokerage to market the property at a specific location and sell that property. It will define the legal relationship between you and the real estate brokerage and also sets up a time limit for your REALTOR® to sell your property and any commissions to be paid at transfer of title.

• Determine your home’s asking price:

The right asking price will attract buyers and pay you a maximum return. Setting too low a price means you could miss out on thousands of dollars. Setting too high a price will scare away buyers. Your goal is to find fair market value. Your property will sell quicker if you price it fairly. Request the Realtor®  do a competitive market analysis of recent sold properties in your area. The condition and age of your property all effect the bottom line.

• Add some specialists to your team:

Similar to when you bought your home, it’s essential to know you can seek advice from a lawyer who can handle all the various documents that change hands and record the title in the buyers name.  The attorney will protect their seller’s interests at all times.

• Prepare your home for sale:

First impressions matter! Try to see your home through a buyer’s eyes: get rid of the clutter, personal pictures, crowed rooms, clean and repair as much as you can, within reason. Always weigh the cost of all your improvements against the potential financial return.

• Let your REALTOR® do what they do best:

When the seller feels their property is ready to market and sell, and all legal documents are in place (Lead, Seller Disclosure, Mold, Environmental),  it’s time for your REALTOR®  to do their job, and market it to potential buyers. The seller has options: “For Sale” signs, open houses, newspaper ads, a listing on the MLS®, the internet, and, of course, through your REALTORS®’ relationship with other REALTORS®.

• Prepare your finances:

Will the buyer “assume” your mortgage or are you “discharging” it? What taxes are involved? What are capitol gains, and State Conveyance taxes? These are important questions to ask your REALTOR®,  your accountant, or lawyer.

• Receive an offer:

Although your REALTOR® will walk you through the process, it is emotional and normal to have questions. You will see every offer since it’s required that your REALTOR® present you every offer that’s submitted. You will have three options: you can accept all the terms as presented, you can reject the price and terms or you can  “counter” the offer by changing the price and some of the terms of the contract. All changes should be initialed and dated. All offers should be in writing.  Ask your REALTOR® what these terms mean. The seller always owns their property until the title or deed has changed hands at closing and is recorded.

• Close the deal:

You were successful and had a legally, signed binding agreement at the beginning.  All inspections are complete, mortgage commitment dates have been satisfied, and a closing date and time, are arranged for all parties involved by the attorney. On closing day, your lawyer will finalize all the details and give you the net proceeds. The attorney records all deeds/title after the closing. Keys are exchanged with the new buyers and the transaction is final.