READY TO MAKE SOME MOVES?

Preparing To Sell

You can do a lot to increase the appeal of your property and create a lasting impact on potential buyers.  I have a Home Seller Checklist available to assist you with your house preparations.  

What To Do To Prepare Your Property for Sale

1. Curb Appeal - Create an immediate impact on passers-by and potential buyers by keeping your landscape pristine, and adding creative yet simple touches to your yard, such as colorful annuals. Anything too “personalized” should be removed. 

2. Property Repairs - Instantly brighten up the property with simple upgrades such as window repairs, polishing the doorknobs, and a fresh coat of paint in the most frequently used rooms.

3. Cleanliness and Staging - Keep your property uncluttered, sweet-smelling and well-lit from top-to-bottom. Pay attention to details: put away the kitty litter and dog toys, place a vase of fresh flowers near the entryway, have your carpets cleaned. I will walk your home with you before it is listed for sale to see how you can improve the cleanliness and staging of your property. If necessary, I can provide a list of professional home stagers (I know it’s made a difference in listing my own properties!).  

4. Disclosures and Inspections - As part of the legal requirements of the seller, a Property Disclosure Form must be completed.  We will review this form so that you understand each question.  If necessary, I may suggest home improvement measures before placing your property on the market.  Ultimately, the seller must complete this form which will be made public to any potential buyer and acts as a legal representation of the property at the time of listing it.

5. Choose a Closing Agent.  A closing agent, usually a title company or attorney, provides a variety of title services to satisfy buyers’ and lenders’ concerns about clear title.  These services include performing a title search, maintaining escrow accounts, preparing documentation for closing, and may also offer title insurance to back up their title research findings, should anyone make a claim to the property in the future.  

6. Marketing Your Property - There are many ways a real estate agent can market your property to procure a top dollar offer.  Does your agent hire a professional to take photos or do they take smartphone photos of your property?  One important way to market is using social media and online ad channels.  Is your real estate agent tech savvy and does she or he subscribe to these various marketing outlets?  I provide my seller clients with professional photos of their property which may be used for various types of marketing such as featured on the multiple listing service (MLS), various social media sites, marketing brochures, online ads such as google, private real estate social media groups, neighborhood postcard announcing the property, and an open house(s).  In addition, I will provide a legally compliant property description, comparative market analysis, yard signs, lockbox, and will set up a 24-hour showing request service which will provide the seller with feedback from potential buyers.  

7. Showtime - Presenting your property to potential buyers is a job that I will take care of for you. Buyers tend to feel more comfortable discussing the property with the agent if the seller is not there (so think about where you (and the kids - human and fur) might go during peak showing time). In addition, I’ll navigate what information will be most useful in representing your interests when speaking with prospective buyers.