Deciding whether or not to sell your home is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. While it seems like a complicated process, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, the key to a smooth home sale is in Step 1, finding an agent who understands your needs and wants and has a system to ensure the process is catered to you.
This checklist is designed to help you navigate your way through the selling process without any trouble.
Here are the key pillars:
Getting Started
Researching the Market
Preparing for a Sale
Negotiating Offers
Closing an Offer
The Final Stages
Getting Started
Step 1: Find a Real Estate Agent
Interview a few agents and see if their personality matches your needs/wants. You want to “click”!
Qualifications your agent should have:
Ask about their process (or system) for selling your home
Local market knowledge
Good reviews or testimonials
Financial Knowledge - they can walk you through the numbers!
Works full time in the industry
Great time management and communication skills (ie. did they show up on time & prepared? Do they communicate with you in a way that you understand and feel comfortable with?)
Network connections (Effective real estate agents rely on their relationships. Do they work with other agents regularly?)
They should ask about your Housing Goals and future vision
Ask about their marketing strategies (ie. preparing your home for the market, photography, advertising, pricing the home)
Create a list of 10 things you LOVE about your home to share with your agent
Step 2: Plan Your Timeline
Determine when would be the best time to put your house on the market with your agent
Meet with an agent to discuss the best listing strategy based on the local market
Have an idea of where you'd like to move before you put your home on the market
Researching the Market
Step 3: Walkthrough
Walkthrough your home with your agent
Show them the 10 things you love about your home
Point out any repairs or renovations you’ve done to the home
Ask your agent for advice on repairs, upgrades, and staging
If you are unsure, ask your agent if a general pre-inspection should be scheduled before the sale
Step 4: Determine the Listing Price & Marketing Plan
Work with your real estate agent to determine the best listing price - every home is different! If you overprice a property, it could potentially hurt your chances of getting top dollar for your home
Review a comparative market analysis with your agent, which determines price point based on the sale price of similar homes in your neighborhood
Determine if any renovations could increase the value of your home
DID YOU KNOW...?
The listing price of your home is based on many factors. This includes the lot size, the square footage, location, home's condition, the year the home was built, the current market and so on.
Preparing for a Sale
Step 5: Prepare Your House for Viewing
Declutter
While we love the memories that your home represents, I suggest hiding anything that might be considered "clutter"
Clean
Deep clean forgotten places (base boards, light switches, etc.) OR hire a cleaning crew - a few hundred dollars on cleaners can help get you thousands in the sale!
Neutral / Properly-sized decor and furnishings
I want potential buyers to be able to imagine themselves in this space.
Improve Curb Appeal
Maintain landscaping
Keep sidewalks clear of snow and/or debris
Hide eyesores like trash cans or compost bins
Clean up the front entrance way (consider adding a pop of color to the front door)
Hire a professional stager or ask your real estate agent for suggestions
Step 6: Market Your Home
Discuss your agent's marketing plan with them to create the best strategy for your unique home
Have your agent schedule high-quality real estate photography and/or videography for your home. (Buyers look online before anything else and first impressions are often digital these days, resulting in more traffic and qualified buyers)
Schedule a time with your agent to do the pre-listing marketing they need - video walkthroughs, social media blasts, etc.
Step 7: Showing Your Home
I will call you for scheduled appointments
Have a plan to tidy, clean and leave the house for showings
Store important financial documents and valuables in a safe place away from the public eye
Negotiating Offers
Step 8: Negotiate Purchase Offers
Discuss the offers with your real estate agent
Prepare a strategy for multiple offers
PRO TIP:
Don't get hung up on only the offer price! There are many terms within an offer that should be taken into consideration.
Step 9: Sign a Purchase Sale Agreement
After selecting the strongest offer, sign the Purchase of Sale Agreement and any additional paperwork
Buyers will submit the deposit as described in the offer
Step 10: Open Escrow and Order Title
Discuss the timeline of the transaction with your agent based on the accepted offer
I will open escrow on your behalf and have a title representative pull the property's title report.
Closing an Offer
Step 11: Buyer's Due Diligence Period
Be prepared to allow the buyer reasonable access to your home and property for them to conduct inspections
After the home inspection, do not be alarmed if the buyer wants to schedule specialists like electricians or plumbers to come in and inspect the home.
If the buyer submits a request for repairs, work with your agent to negotiate a solution between both parties
If any reports were required in the accepted offer, provide the buyer with them
Step 12: Bank Ordered Appraisal
The buyer's lender may conduct an appraisal to verify that the market value of the home supports the contract price
Step 13: The Home Stretch
Once the buyer has lifted contingencies and their deposit is locked in, complete any agreed requests before closing
Expect the buyer to schedule a final walk-through, where they will verify that the condition of the property is the same as when they made the offer. This also allows the buyer to ensure that any agreed upon repairs have been completed
The Final Stages
Step 14: Closing a Deal
Both parties will pay any settlement or adjustment fees and documents are recorded
Titles are officially transferred to the new owners
Step 15: CELEBRATE!
Congratulations! You sold your home!