Step by Step Guide Through the Home Selling Process

A listing agent should represent you and have a fiduciary responsibility to look out for your best interests.
Interview agents and meet with at least three neighborhood specialists. Make sure the agent of choice provides you with an competitive marketing plan
Negotiate your listing agreement, including terms. Make sure it is something you are comfortable with.

Prepare your home for sale by cleaning, decluttering and improving curb appeal.
Hire a professional stager to stage your home, or ask your real estate agent for help in staging.
Make repairs before selling.
Protect your privacy while your home is on the market. Make arrangements with your agent to select times that are best to show your home.
If you’re selling a home where pets live, make alternate plans for your pets.

A seller’s biggest mistake is to overpricing.
Price your home in line with sold homes identified in a comparative market analysis report, which your agent will review with you.
Consider whether your market is hot, cold or neutral. All neighborhoods are different…find out what yours is.

You or your agent should identify the appealing selling points and choose advertising words to sell.
Put together your marketing plan with your Realtor. Make sure it provides the most exposure.
Have virtual tour that uses 360-degree virtual tour online.
Have your Realtor tweak marketing to increase traffic and showings.
Make sure you are ONLINE!! Your agent should saturate the internet with photographs and description of your home.

Decide along with your Realtor what works best…personalized showings or having a Lockbox available.
You’ve got only one chance — and sometimes only 3 seconds — to make a good first impression. Make sure your home is stunning before every showing. ( Check out 10 Tips to get your house ready to sell)
Make sure your agent is reporting feedback so you & your agent can adjust your price, condition or marketing campaigns accordingly.

Even if you receive a lowball offer, negotiate by issuing a counter offer. Don’t ignore offers! It might break your heart, but it is strictly business…try to work with it.
Ask for a Hubbard clause or first right of refusal if the buyer’s offer is contingent on selling a home.
Don’t be afraid to make a full-price counter offer, if you are priced competitively and have not been on the market long
If you are priced right, prepare yourself for multiple offers & work on a stragedy with your Realtor that makes you come out shining.

Get ready for the home inspector.. Remove large items away from heating vents, make paths in basements and attics so inspectors have access and do not risk damaging your belongings.
Ask your agent to provide you with a home inspection checklist so you will know which items an inspector will want to see.

If your contract calls for a roof certification, hire a reputable company to conduct the inspection and provide all documents in writing.
There might be fees for all inspection reports from contractors to evaluate repairs, some companies might offer free estimates.
If your home was built before 1978, the buyer has a right to conduct a lead inspection. If results are showed to be positive, there is a process you will have to go through.
Make sure ALL contractors are licensed!!

All homes in the US and Connecticut are subject to lead-based paint disclosures.
If you are aware of material facts, such as a leaky roof or an underground oil tank.. disclose them! It can come back and bite you years to come if a major issue turns up.
Your condo association should provide Common use documents, but if you belong to a homeowner association, additional documentation will be required…and there might be a fee to prepare these docs. The buyer will need all these documents to close..so budget about $150.00 aside for this.

You are entitled to a copy of the home inspection report on items reqested if the buyers request repairs.
If you do not choose to make repairs, a buyer might instead accept a closing cost credit. Ask them. It might be difficult for you to complete all the repairs by closing or might not have enough money out of pocket at the moment.

Hire a licensed attorney to prepare all your documents.
Your property deed, reconveyance and deed of trust will record in the public records
Your attorney will notify you and your agent when it records.
Negotiate any issues at the Final walk-thru the buyer might of had. Make sure your home has been fully cleaned out of all your belongs, and is broom swept clean. Make sure all your utilities are operating..run hot water, heat, etc to make sure everything is ready for close. Surprises are not fun!
If there are issues, notify your agent . They will let the buyers agent know and also notify your attorney.

CONGRATS! You made it!

If I can provide an assistance please feel free to e-mail me