Ana Gramling

THINKING OF SELLING?

Careful preparation is paramount when the decision to sell your home is being considered.   The art of looking at your home from an objective perspective is most difficult, but when mastered, will help you to look at your home as a prospective buyer would and will help to make your selling decision more trouble-free.

Key Steps To A Successful Sale

1.    Assess your needs, motivation and timing.

·         Ask yourself…Why am I considering selling my home?  And answer honestly.

·        Ask yourself…What is my motivation?  Is it to relocate?  Is it to downsize?  Do you need a larger home?  Are your current home loans maturing and are you considering a short sale?

·         Ask yourself… How quickly do I NEED to sell?

2.    Review current SOLD comparables and determine the market value of your home.

·         It is imperative that you know what has recently sold in your neighborhood.  This is the best benchmark for what price your home will sell for.

·         Know that improvements to your home will affect your sales price.  Improvements are extremely subjective and a prospective buyer may not place the same value on them as you.

·         Strategically pricing your home is the most important decision you will make when you decide to sell. 

·         Remember…sales prices are market driven.  If you price your home too high, it will not be considered favorably by prospective buyers.  It will stay on the market longer than you may hope and will result in few, if any, showings.  And, if it is priced too low, you will be guaranteed to “leave money on the table”.

3.    Prepare your home (exterior and interior) for the “first impression”.

·         The importance of curb appeal is not to be taken lightly!  A prospective buyer may take one look at the exterior of your home, and in seconds know if they will even consider looking inside.

·         In the time it takes for the prospective buyer to walk into your home, a decision will be formed on whether or not this is the “home of their dreams”.

·        Tour the homes in your neighborhood that are currently for sale.  You will be competing for the same prospective buyer and consider whether to make improvements PRIOR to marketing your home.  You would be surprised at what a change of paint color can do!

·         DE-CLUTTER…DE-CLUTTER…DE-CLUTTER!!!!!  I can’t express this enough! 

·         Again, look at your home from the position of the prospective buyer and ask yourself what you would like to see from a home that you would consider buying. 

4.    Review offers to purchase and carefully evaluate the prospective buyer’s ability to close escrow.

·        Discuss all aspects of the purchase agreement, counter offers and any other agreements that will require mutual consent of the prospective buyer and seller. 

·         Evaluate all offers to determine the BEST QUALIFIED buyer.  Discuss the difference between FHA vs. VA vs. conventional loans.

·         Prequalify prospective buyers to determine their motivation and ability to purchase.

·        Contact the prospective buyer’s lender to confirm financial ability of closing on the sale.

5.    Follow up with escrow agents and title officers and confirm receipt of the earnest money deposit.  Coordinate all inspections, prepare for contingency removals and final walk through to ensure a smooth close of escrow.

·         Submit all documentation to escrow agent and confirm the earnest money deposit has been received.

·         Contact title officer to coordinate title clearance.

·        Coordinate scheduling the home inspection with the prospective buyer’s Realtor® and discuss any Request For Repairs with you.  Know the difference between “HAVE to do’s” vs. “WANT to do’s”.

·         Coordinate scheduling of lender’s appraisal.

·         Coordinate scheduling termite inspection and discuss any repairs (if necessary).

·         Coordinate final walk through.

·        Confirm closing date and coordinate transfer of possession of the home to the new buyer!!!