Just For Sellers

Looking to sell your home in this competitive market? While some sellers choose to "go it alone" in order to avoid having to pay a real estate commission, if you don't know what you're getting into, the results could be far more costly than the commission. In fact, a commission is really the price you pay for peace of mind. And for buyers, a Realtor eliminates much of the legwork involved in finding your next home. The process is much like finding a needle in a haystack -- which is why it's so critical to find yourself an experienced Realtor who possesses an intimate knowledge of local-market conditions and properties which represent a good investment. Best of all, your Realtor can go to bat for you, steering you clear of such scenarios as the memorable one recounted above. What's involved in selling a home? We at City Limits Realty try to make your life a little easier. Request a Free Market Analysis which can be delivered to your door within 24 hours.

Preparing a Marketing Program

City Limits Realty’s ultimate goal is to find the right buyer for your home. The right buyer will give you the best price and agree to the best terms and conditions. How you present your product (home) to a potential buyer is a very essential part of the marketing process.

Preparing a Marketing Program

The key is to list your home at the right price. If you price your house too low, you may lose money. If you price your house too high, you may lose potential buyers who will not look at your house because it is out of their budget.

Setting the Terms and Conditions

When someone is buying a home they are not buying a house based on price alone. Other factors, including when the property will be available and what items are included with the sale of the house, play an important role.

Preparing Your House to Sell

Here is a partial list of things that you can do to help sell your house sells:

  1. Clean all rooms (including attic and basement)
  2. Wash windows (inside and out) and clean mini blinds
  3. Remove all dust and cobwebs
  4. Wipe down light switch covers and dirty doors>
  5. Clean chandeliers, mirrors, ceiling fans, and light bulbs
  6. Remove clutter from around house (kitchen, bedrooms, closets, bathrooms, etc.)
  7. Add a fresh coat of paint, if needed
  8. Create a natural and pleasant aroma
  9. Cut the grass, trim the bushes, and plant some flowers

Another item that can be a great help in selling your house and limiting your liability during the sales process is a Home Protection Warranty. It is a proven fact that a Home Protection Warranty increases the selling price of a house, helps keep the deal together, and gives both the seller and buyer peace of mind. This protects the seller from paying repair or replacement costs of major items during the listing period and also protects the buyer during their first year of home ownership.

Keeping Your House Secure

When you are selling your home you could also be inviting danger. There are many actions that sellers unknowingly take that increase the dangers to themselves and their family. Here are some things you can do to add safety to the process of selling your home:

  1. Ask for a business card from each Realtor who shows your house.
  2. Lock up and hide collectibles and valuables.
  3. Remember "For Sale" signs bring in buyers. Do not allow your children to open doors to strangers.
  4. If you have pets, make sure they are under control or are in a locked cage. Remove anydangerous items.
  5. City Limits Realty can share safety tips that will help protect you and your family during these stressful times.

Showing Your Home

Showing your home can be a much more complicated process than one might think.Discovery is the buyer's objective. You should watch, listen, and anticipate but be careful not to crowd. Remember a potential buyer comes in knowing that you have a vested interest in selling your home. Therefore, the buyer may be skeptical and not believe the positive comments you might make. The buyer will also be trying to get as much information as possible from you.

Negotiating the Offer

Once an offer is made, you have three choices that you can choose from: Accept It, Reject It, or make a Counter Offer depending on the terms and conditions of the offer. You must remember that you have two sets of people with totally different agendas and desires trying to come together and settle on an acceptable price, terms, and conditions. However, our ultimate goal is a win-win offer.

Keeping the Deal Together

Just because you accepted an offer does not mean that the accepted offer will be the final closing price. The process ahead may mean a change in the accepted offer price. During this part of the selling process, someone needs to protect your interests to make sure the deposit monies, numerous inspections, and appropriate buyer visits are occurring on schedule and at the appropriate time in the process. The results of this step can lead the Buyer to renegotiate and it is one of the main reasons a Realtor® is not allowed to disclose the sale price of a house until it closes.

Prep the House to Close

During the negotiations you might have agreed to do additional work on the house. This work, as well as having the house "broom clean," must be completed prior to closing so that a Buyer can have a final walk-through sometimes the day of or before closing.

The Closing Table

Make sure that you arrive with all of the necessary identification, receipts for repairs and/or work done on property, warranties,etc. Your Realtor will let you know what documents you need to bring to closing.