First it must be said that there are numerous books on the subject and professionals who sell properties for a living so this page is clearly merely an introduction.
1. Check out the local Library, or bookstore, for a good book of getting through the process in detail. A book that costs fifteen or twenty dollars could save you thousands of dollars--making it well worth the price to buy and take the time to read it..
2. Prepare your house. If you contact me, I can come by and make some recommendations.
Remember the Golden Rule.
Do for others (buyers) as you would have them (sellers) do for you.
Typical things sellers might do would finish any repairs that have been hanging around for awhile. Paint all the rooms as if you were getting ready to move in--your buyers will be thinking like that so it helps if you do. If it's spring plant a pretty garden. Nothing fancy but curb appeal helps.
3.
Find an agent who will work for you and with you effectively and professionally. You can choose to look through the internet, or read the newspaper, or even drive around your neighborhood to see who is currently working in your neighborhood. Most people find that working with an agent saves them time and money in the short and long term. They are professionals at selling houses. They have studied and practiced negotiating so they can get you the best possible price for your house. They can guide you around, hopefully not through, the myriad of pitfalls that can occur during the exciting time that you make the final steps for your selling your old house and moving into your new home.
4. Decide on a price. It is the single most important decision you will make in selling your home.
I will help you analyze the market. Find and analyze your competition. And recommend a price.
Beware the agent who tells you what you want to hear instead of what you need to hear. If the price is too high your home will not sell; your competition will use your price to make theirs look good.
Their house will sell--not yours.
If you set your price to low, dollars that you could use in your new house or retirement account will not be available when you want to.
5. Once you decide on the price, I will start marketing your house. You will need to stage your house for the buyers who come see it.
You want them to come into your house and see it as their future home.
The things you need to concentrate on are:
a. The outside of the house. First impressions are of first importance.
b. The first thing they see in the house. The foyer, the stairs, whatever it is, you want them to say oooh.
c. The kitchen. Everybody uses kitchens everybody notices leaks and spots and crowded cupboards.
d. The Bathrooms. New Shower Curtains. No stains on the walls. Blue water and a nice smell.
e. The Master bedroom/suite. This is where the buyer will spend a third of their life. They want it looking good.
De-clutter, unclutter, garage sale, Salvation Army, Goodwill. Pack things to move get them out of the house. I will guide you. Remember you are selling this house. You will have to move everything--hopefully in just a few weeks.
Next to the price, this step will make the biggest difference in how fast your home will sell.
If you need professional help with staging, I will be able to provide names of some professionals for you to interview in staging your home.
6. The next thing is to let the marketing work.
When your house is showing, you need to make sure it looks good and leave.
When a buyer decides they want to buy your house, the first thing I will check on is the financing. When buyers fail to come to settlement, it is almost always financing that causes the problem.
If you have multiple offers, I will analyze them for you so you can make a good decision which one you want to accept.
I will negotiate the best terms so you can walk away happy knowing you and the buyers are both winners-- both getting what you want from the situation whenever possible.
7. Once you accept an offer, their will usually be a series of inspections. You and/or I should be present for them.
Sometimes the results of the inspection require negotiations as well. I will help you through these negotiations so you feel comfortable about any of the work involved.
8. Once all the results come back positively, the settlement is scheduled. You will need to move the rest of your things to a new location.
At settlement, you and I need to carefully look over the paperwork and verify all the money coming to you in fact comes to you. Then you hand over the keys and walk away comfortable that you have made it through what can be a very discomfiting time with a minimum of discomfort and a maximum of profit.
Other hints and articles