Seller’s Guide

Selling your house is a significant and emotional decision that should not be taken lightly. What do you need to do to prepare your home for sale and sell it for maximum profit in a quick time frame? Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Choose the right listing agent

The biggest mistake sellers make when preparing to sell is thinking they can do it alone. While it's technically possible to put your home on the market without the assistance of an agent, it's not recommended. Don't make the mistake of choosing an agent just because you think they can get you the highest price for the lowest commission. 

It's better to select a trusted real estate professional who will look out for your best interests and take you through the entire process to assist you in getting the best deal. An agent can't magically tell you how much your home will sell for, but a good realtor will provide you with the necessary tools and innovative marketing strategies to appeal to the most qualified buyers and help you sell faster.

Tips to choosing the best agent:

• Pricing is a skill, one that takes years of experience to finesse. You don't want to price too high or too low. A good agent will use comparable sales analyses and recent trends to provide you with a range of prices determined by many factors. 
• Choose a skilled negotiator to fight on your behalf and help you understand contractual obligations.
• You want an agent who is readily available to answer questions. Laura prides herself in maintaining 24/7 availability via phone and email for her clients.

Marketing expert

As the seller, you need to, well, sell the home to your buyer. That means knowing all of the ins and outs of your neighborhood and the surrounding community—location matters. People want to know what their commute to work will be like, the local amenities, where the best schools are, etc. Highlight the things you've loved most about living there for however many years. That's the sort of thing prospective buyers will be interested to know.

The next step is to make your house look the best it can to entice people to visit. Highlight your home's individuality and strengths. Nowadays, it's not enough to market your home through traditional means. More and more people are starting their home search online, meaning you need a compelling digital marketing campaign, too. 

Laura has more than 22 years of photography experience and offers professional photos and videos as part of her service. She knows how critical the first impression of your home is when seen online and what a stark difference a new coat of paint or some staging can make. She offers suggestions and has a team of professionals available to prepare your house for open houses and tours. 

Preparing your home for the market will entail deep cleaning, decluttering, depersonalization, landscaping, and more. Laura has access to high-quality vendors who can help if you need assistance with these tasks.

Closing

The closing is the final and most exciting stage of the home selling process. During this phase, the seller officially transfers ownership of the property to the buyer. Typically, the seller doesn't have as much to do during this stage as the buyer, but that doesn't mean you can sit back and relax just yet either. 

Luckily, hiring a skilled listing agent will significantly reduce stress. Laura has a transaction coordinator who works around the clock to ensure every 'i' is dotted and every 't' is crossed in a timely manner. She and her team work hard to make sure closings are efficient.

What are a seller's responsibilities during closing?

• Home inspections aren't required, but most buyers will insist on it to ensure they're not surprised by any undisclosed damages or issues with the house. Depending on the contingencies outlined by the sales contract, a buyer might be able to renegotiate if the inspector finds something amiss. A seller can then decide whether to credit the costs or even pay for repairs themselves.
• The final walkthrough allows a buyer and their agent to do one more walk through the property to check everything, including any repairs you might have made as previously agreed upon. 
• Finalize the sale on a specific closing date. On the day of closing, you and the buyer will need to sign the paperwork that includes signing over the property deed. Don't be afraid to ask questions during this stage, and it's important to be aware of everything you're signing. 
• The seller doesn't usually need to bring much to closing apart from their government-issued ID, property keys, and any other outstanding documents.

Once all is said and done, you will then hand over the keys and any other items (mailbox key, garage opener, etc.) and officially complete the sale of your home!