Steps to Selling Your Home

STEP 1 - Define Needs

Write down all the reasons and expectations for selling your home. For example, reasons for selling might include: a growing family that needs more space or a job opportunity that necessitates a move to another city. Your expectations would include the time frame in which you'd like to sell or a particular profit margin.

Working together, we can map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale.

STEP 2 - Pricing Strategy

Your next objective should be to determine the best possible selling price for your home. You will need to take into account the state of the local market, the condition of your home and sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood. We can prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) Report which will give you this information. It is often hard to maintain a non-biased view of your property, so you will want to gather the necessary information in the most objective way possible. If you want a truly objective opinion about the price of your home you can have an appraisal done. This may cost anywhere from $300 - $500.

Be reasonable about the price you set. You're always better off asking a fair market value price than setting your price too high. If your home is overpriced and stays on the market too long, potential buyers may think that something is wrong with it. You could end of selling it for less than what you could have gotten if you had started out with a realistic asking price.

STEP 3 - Prepare Your Home

Now it's time to get your home in "showing and selling" condition! Curb appeal is key and can make a difference whether prospective buyers stop to take a flyer or keep on driving. Also, most of us don't keep our homes in the condition they need to be in to be SOLD. Piles of boxes in the garage, a broken porch light and even an overgrown yard just seem normal after awhile. It's time to break out of that owner's mindset and get your house in tip-top shape. The buyer's first impression of your home will impact how quickly it sells and the price they are willing to offer.

Make your interior appear more spacious by removing appliances from countertops, and clearing knick-knacks off coffee tables and shelves.
Organize your closets and kitchen cabinets.
Make sure items stored in the attic or basements are tidy.
Open the curtains or blinds during the day to maximize the natural light.
Turn on the lights at night to create a welcoming environment for prospective buyers.
A home with too much "personality" is harder to sell. Consider painting walls a neutral color and removing clutter. This will help the buyer to visualize the home as theirs.
Trim shrubbery and keep the lawn mowed.
Add flowers or plants to outside beds.

STEP 4 - Marketing Strategy

Once your home is ready, it's time to put it up for sale and begin the marketing process. Establishing a marketing strategy is a must. We will expose your home to the greatest number of potential buyers possible by using a personalized marketing plan that will make the first 3-6 weeks that your home is on the market the busiest. Not only will it bring the most buyers but also the most qualified buyers to your doorstep

There are many different ways to get the word out that your home is for sale. A yard sign, flyers, and direct marketing are just a few of the many options available. We will also email or fax your home's information to other realtors who are all working with qualified buyers. Your home can be advertised on this website as well as www.shoafrealtygroup.com, www.tallahassee.com and www.realtor.com to maximize exposure.

STEP 5 - Receive An Offer

When a buyer decides they like your home, they will make you a written offer. We will help by advising you as to whether or not the prospective buyer is qualified to purchase AND whether or not you should consider accepting OR making a counteroffer. If multiple offers are received, we can help determine which offer will best meet your selling needs.

After determining the buyer's intent and qualifications, we will then review the written contract, taking care to understand what is required of both parties in order to execute the transaction. The contract should protect the interests of all parties and as your agents, we will be with you through all phases of the selling process.

After you accept the offer, it may be too late to make any changes. The contract, though not limited to this list, will 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 furnishing that will stay with the home
Settlement date
Contingencies (title defect, encroachments, first right of refusal, etc.)

STEP 6 - Negotiate To Sell

Most offers to purchase your home will require some negotiating to come to a win-win agreement. We are adept negotiators, well-versed on the intricacies of the contract and will protect your best interests throughout this process. We will review the written offer together to make sure you thoroughly understand what the buyers are offering and what they are asking from you in return.

Below are some negotiable items:

Price
Financing
Closing Costs/ Dates
Repairs
Appliances and fixtures
Landscaping
Survey
Home Warranty
Painting
Occupancy Time Frame

Once both parties have agreed on the terms of the sale, we will prepare a contract. Remember, bargaining is not a winner-take-all deal. It is a business process that involves compromise and mutual respect.

STEP 7 - Pre-Closing Preparation

Once you accept an offer to sell your home, we will 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. Depending on the specifics reached during the negotiations, 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. Depending on the contract, you or the buyer may decide to walk away, open a new round of negotiations or continue on to a closing.

We can recommend professionals that we've used in the past to meet any of these needs. We will also help to coordinate appointments and meet with these selling service providers. This will provide you with additional time to spend with your family or so that time is not missed at work.

From the date of contract until the closing, we will communicate with the title company, lenders, surveyors, inspectors, contractors, etc. to insure that everything is in order. You should begin to make arrangements for your upcoming move if you have not done so already. Make a list of all the items you will need to do to turn the property over to the new owners. For example, make sure to cancel electricity, gas, phone, lawn care, cable, etc., or if the new owner is going to retain some of the services, change the name on the account.

STEP 8 - Closing

"Closing" refers to the meeting where ownership of the property is legally transferred to the buyer. We will be present during the closing to help explain the process and forms to you and make sure everything goes as planned. By being present during the closing, we can help to mediate any last minute issues that may arise