The listing process made easy
The listing process can seem intimidating, even if you’ve been through it before, but it’s not as bad as it looks. Below, we’ve broken down the basic components of selling your home to give you a better understanding of what's involved. Your agent will help guide you through all this, but sometimes it's nice to just have an idea of what you are getting into.
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The first thing you'll want to do is set a listing appointment with your agent, keeping in mind the initial appointment will take approximately 1-2 hours depending on your homes condition. Having the closing packet from when you bought the home available is helpful.
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This first appointment gives you and the agent some time to get to know each other, but the main objective is for your agent to gather every bit of information about your home that they can. This is their opportunity to become knowledgeable and familiar with it, which is imperative for selecting the best comparable properties and completing an accurate market analysis. Being able to do this allows them to find the best price to list your home at, as well as tells them what it’s most likely to sell for. The first appointment will also allow the agent to generate a list of what you need to do to prepare your home before it goes on the market. For a comprehensive list of what to do to prepare your home in advance, check out -
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The market analysis for your home will then be completed, along with the list of recommended items to prepare your home for the market. These can be sent to you via email and discussed over the phone or accomplished through a second meeting. This decision will be based on which option works best for you.
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You will then arrive at a listing figure and a listing date with your agent, which will depend on several factors including your desired time frame and the length of time required to prepare your home. Once a date has been set, your agent will work to complete the listing paperwork, photography, home staging if necessary, and then the marketing materials. They'll also be gathering other materials during this time such as information on showing instructions, alarms and pets, the survey, current title insurance policy, Covenants & Restriction for the community, HOA information, any road maintenance agreement if you are on a private road, etc.
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After everything above has been completed, they will obtain a key, install the lockbox, submit the listing into the MLS and put the sign in the yard. Marketing will then begin immediately and you’ll be well on our way to the closing table.
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When the marketing period starts, showing appointments will begin to come in. Showings are very important, so you'll want to make sure you take full advantage of them. Your agent will discuss this with you when that time comes.
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Once you have received an offer, or offer’s, your agent will negotiate with the buyers agent on your behalf to achieve the best possible terms.
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When an agreement has been reached and all parties have signed, your home will be under contract. This is a milestone in the transaction, but there's still a good bit of work to be done including handling inspections, appraisal(s), repair negotiations, and repairs.
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Once that work has been completed and the closing assured, the final step is preparing for your for closing. Your agent will help you with the logistics of packing, moving and having the home properly ready for the new owners.
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After all the work to get to the closing table, closing for a Seller is fairly anticlimactic. Your agent will accompany you to the closing table as advisor to the very end. Most closings are smooth and uneventful. However, in the event there is a problem, they will be there to resolve the issue so the closing can occur.
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You've now successfully sold your home and all that's left to do is celebrate the accomplishment.