For Sellers

The Selling Process

My goal is to sell your home for the highest price in the least amount of time.

A few things I have learned about selling a home:

Goals
We will review your selling goals and motivation, timelines, and dreams.

YOUR Ideas
I will listen to your research and ideas about the value of your home. You will have the opportunity to point out special features, upgrades and items of interest.

Comparisons
We will review similar homes nearby to assist with determining the current market value of your home.

The Listing
If we decide that it’s a good match, we will prepare the listing agreement and agree on the price, listing term and marketing activities.

Disclosures – You will have a packet of “disclosures” to complete with all honesty.

Photos – We will arrange for professional photos of your home for the MLS and internet listings.

My Obligations
I will prepare materials and “pitch” your home to other agents. I will offer a brokers’ open house to showcase your home to peers. I am your representative and I will treat your home and wishes with respect. The listed price is the price. You will be a part of any negotiation.

Your Obligations
Declutter – You and I will look at your home with the goal to remove/store personal items to open up spaces and allow buyers to feel this could be their home.

Touch Up – Small maintenance jobs will need to be completed to show off your home.

Marketing
We will review marketing ideas that fit your needs and that will achieve results. I will develop a plan based upon our discussion.

Showings
Showings can be either available on lockbox or with agent assistance, as agreed. The seller should not be at home for any showings.

Recheck Goals
After a thorough exposure to the market, we will reevaluate our goals and rethink our plan if offers are not presented.

The Offer

We have an offer… now what?

The Offer
We will review all offers together. The decisions are yours. I will recommend, provide data, and position you carefully, but all decisions are yours. My fiduciary responsibility is to represent you as if it were my money. I will never “show your hand” or indicate what price I think you “might” accept, nor will I tell another agent anything about other offers. I don’t know what you will do, we will determine that once we get an offer to review and negotiate.

Negotiations
After discussion we might decide to “counter offer” or “reject” or “accept” an offer. I will lead you through any negotiations and represent your wishes.

Acceptance
If you accept an offer, we inform the buyers and we open escrow – which lasts generally 30-45 days.

Escrow
During the escrow process the buyer will be getting physical inspections, finalizing their loan application, and be preparing to own your property. (You will be planning your move.) Escrow will hold all deposits and prepare final documents for both parties.

Request for Repairs
The buyers may request some repairs or credits after their physical inspections. In a “seller’s market” this is unlikely. This is a place where you can lose a deal. I will guide you through this phase.

Negotiations/Contingency Removals
The buyers generally have 17 days to satisfy themselves that they will move forward with the deal, that there are no unexpected problems with the appraisal, loan, condition, title, etc. Once this Contingency Removal is completed both sides can breathe a sigh of relief that the deal will likely move ahead smoothly. Loan finalization begins in earnest, termite treatment is planned and all moves forward. (More packing/moving efforts.)

Funding and Recording
Generally, the buyer will “fund” a day before escrow close and will “record” the title on the day of the close. They then own the property. Keys will be exchanged after the recording. This is the time to provide any appliance instructions, quirky directions for operation of items around the home, etc. And, a great time to wish the new owners the best! Leaving a note and a small bouquet for the new owners is always a nice gesture.