What to Expect:
The Process of Buying/ Selling Your Home
The Process of Buying/ Selling Your Home
1. Define your goals, wants, needs and expectations. A good place to begin is by exploring your short and long term goals in life and how buying or selling your home fits in. I will walk through a process I use to thoroughly understand my client’s goals, wants and needs to ensure that your expectations are met.
2. Determine the best price for what’s going on in the market right now. We assess the current state of the market and what homes you can expect to find within your price range, or what homes comparable to the one you want to sell are actually selling for. To do this we review a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for your home or your price range. That way, we can objectively determine fair market value and price a home so it will sell, or recognize a home that is well priced.
3. Sellers : Prepare your property so that it is in top-selling condition. Most of us don’t keep our homes in top-selling condition. I will work with you to help you see things from a buyer’s point of view. I will consult with you on what to repair, replace or remove so that your home makes a GREAT first impression.
Buyers: We prepare you to be in the best possible position to make a strong offer when that right, well priced, property comes along. Properties that are well priced often receive multiple offers and move quickly. Being pre-approved and having a lender letter in ready to accompany your offer will make your offer favorable over those with financing contingencies.
4. Buyers We Will Focus Your Search to Include the Best Properties. Those homes that are in the best condition and priced at or below market value.
Sellers Implement time-proven, research-based marketing strategies. Your home will be marketed with marketing plan that has the highest potential for bringing not only the most buyers, but also the most qualified buyers to your doorstep. Show your property. Always keep your home in top-selling condition. When you leave for work, make sure that your home remains in top-selling condition. You know what they say about first impressions!
5. Receive an offer. When a buyer decides to buy your home, an offer will be presented. I will advise you on the offer and whether the buyer is qualified to purchase your home.
Write an offer. When we find a home that meets most of your criteria, I will help you write an offer to purchase the property.
6. Negotiate the purchase. Most offers require some level of negotiation. We will work together to decide your parameters and I will negotiate on your behalf.
7. Appraisal and inspection. Once an offer is accepted, the seller’s agent works with the buyer’s agent who coordinates an appraisal, inspections and a survey (if required). If the buyer requires that certain repairs be made on the home, the agents will continue to negotiate on behalf of their clients, so you can iron out details and move successfully from contract to closing.
8. Prepare for closing. A few days before closing (also known as settlement), I will contact the title company and the other agent to ensure that all the necessary forms and documents have been prepared. I will meet with you to review the closing documents and let you know what additional forms and information you need to bring to the closing meeting.
9. Close! At the closing meeting, ownership of the property is legally transferred to the buyer. I will be present to advise you and ensure that everything goes according to plan.
