Your ADAIRSVILLE & CALHOUN Area REAL ESTATE TEAM

"10 Keys to Selling Your Home"

For most families, their home is their largest financial asset, and deciding to sell it is a big decision that involves a lot of preparation and work. When you're ready to sell it's important to have an experienced real estate professional handle the details involved in the successful sale of a home for top dollar.

As an experienced professional who has helped many Adairsville and Calhoun area residents sell their homes, I know how to handle every aspect of the sales process - from strategically marketing and showcasing your home to making sure everything's signed, sealed and delivered by the closing date.

Start with these "10 Keys to Selling Your Home" and just let me know when you're ready for assistance.

1. Take stock of why you want/need to sell, and when.  Sometimes sellers decide to sell on emotion or before they really have a plan for what they intend to do if their home does sell.  But, if you are truly ready to sell and have a plan for when it does, then proceed immediately.  Every day your home stays off the market, is one more day a potential buyer may miss your home. 
2. Find out what your home is worth in today's market.  It matters little what your home appraises for or what you think it's worth - what matters is what buyers are willing to pay for your home in today's market.  If what your home will most likely sell for is less than what you need or want, then you may need to reevaluate your decision to sell.  We can help you by providing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for your home.  This is FREE and with no obligation. 
3. Get a REALTOR®. There's nothing that says you have to use a REALTOR® to help you sell your home, but why wouldn't you with what is most likely your largest financial asset? Click here to find out what a REALTOR® can do for you, and when you're ready, we want you to know we would love to be YOUR REALTOR®!
4. Set a COMPETITIVE list price.  Here's where you really need to listen to the market and your REALTOR®.  Your REALTOR® wants you to get as much for your home as possible, but if it doesn't sell, noboby makes anything.  Resist the temptation to "Set the price a little high - we can always come down."  Studies have shown this is not a good strategy as most interest in a new listing is in the first 30 days.  If your home is priced higher than the competition during this period, then most potential buyers for your home may simply ignore it in favor of more competitive listings.  Click here for more information on setting a list price.
5. Put your home on the market.  You've decided to sell your home, you have a plan for when it sells, and you have a good idea of what price you should sell it for.  It's time to list your home for sale and start the marketing process.  Your REALTOR® will ask you to sign a Listing Agreement which spells out in general terms what he will do, find a buyer for your home; and what you will do, cooperate with him and pay him a commission when your home sells.  Your REALTOR® should provide a Marketing Plan for how he intends to market your home.  He should also provide you a Seller's Net Sheet that provides an estimate of what you will actually net from the sale of your home.   
6. Get your home ready to sell, and work with your REALTOR® in marketing your home.  Your REALTOR® will work hard to sell your home, but it's a team effort.  He will make suggestions for getting your home ready and marketing your home - listen to him - that's what you'll pay him for.  Be easily accessible for scheduling showings and presenting offers.  On the other hand, your REALTOR® should provide you feedback on showings and suggest modifications to the marketing plan if needed.
7. Negotiate an accepted contract.  This starts with an offer from a prospective buyer to your REALTOR®, usually from the buyer's agent.  You may accept the offer, reject it outright, or make a counter offer to the buyer.  Your REALTOR® will make sure the final, accepted contract is in terms agreeable to you.  Once you and the buyer agree on these terms and price, you are said to be "under contract." 
8. Prepare for closing. Depending on the terms of the contract, the buyer may have asked for the right to do various inspections on the home, and usually there are time limits to do so. Your REALTOR® will be aware of any time limits or other contingencies in the contract, but you must act in a timely manner to meet any requirements in the contract. Your REALTOR® will help you coordinate all aspects of preparation for the closing.  You should be prepared to be completely moved out by the time specified in the contract, which is usually the day of closing. 
9. Go to closing and get your check! Once the buyer has cleared all inspections and contingencies and the loan has been processed, you are ready to go to the closing, which usually takes place at an attorney's office. Besides the attorney, the buyer(s) and their agent, you and your REALTOR®, and sometimes the buyer's lender will be there. You will sign a few papers, most important or which is the deed to the buyer, and depending on the terms of the contract, you will probably give the keys to the buyer(s) and allow them to take possession of the house.  In return, the attorney will "cut" you a check for your net proceeds of the sale after the terms of the contract have been satisfied and your existing mortgage (if any) on the house has been deducted.   
10. File closing documents in a safe place. The closing attorney will give you copies of all documents you have signed at the closing, and you should file them in a secure place that you can access as needed for tax purposes, legal proceedings, and other important events related to the sale of your home.
    
    

For more information on the home selling process, check out the following FREE reports: