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The Selling Process
Knowledge is definitely the key to a speedier property sale, and why I'm
here to help you to learn as much as possible about selling your property — from
appraisals and negotiations to what to expect at final closing. Plus,
I will show you how to market your property for the quickest sale at the
best price possible. Together we will create a marketing plan for your property
that will help distinguish it in your local marketplace and attract buyers
to your property. My purpose, of course, is to sell your real estate at
the best price possible in the shortest amount of time.
An Ideal Experience :
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During our initial meeting, I will:
- Explain the various "agency" relationships in the
state of California.
- Explain how the commission is paid and distributed.
- Outline the property sale process and provide an approximate
timeline.
- Agree on our availability and the best manner in which to contact
one another, whether e-mail or telephone, times of day, content, etc.
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During the selling process, I will:
- Review all documents, including contracts, disclosures, disclaimers
and inspection reports. In some instances, I may refer you to a real
estate attorney for further clarification.
- Provide you with relocation and mortgage assistance, if appropriate,
through our affiliated lender and our referral network.
- Offer reliable advice and useful information to help you make informed
decisions along the way.
- Handle the details that lead your transaction to a smooth, successful
close.
Setting the Price
Your greatest
opportunity for selling your property is immediately after it goes on the market.
That's when the majority of serious buyers will see your property. To determine
an asking price that takes advantage of this time period, we will review
the cost of property recently sold in your area, evaluate your competition
and study marketplace trends. We will discuss other terms and conditions, such
as timing and items that can be included with the sale of the home. Both of
these can make your property more attractive to potential buyers. Always, my
goal is that you realize the optimum value for your real estate.
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To assist in setting the best price, I will:
- Prepare and review a comparable market analysis. This will help you
determine the best possible pricing strategy for your property.
- I may recommend obtaining certain inspection reports prior to marketing and review the impact they have on pricing.
- Provide you with a Seller's Cost (or Net) Sheet that projects the approximate costs of sale.
- Provide you with updates of market activity in a format that works best for you. This includes:
1. Newly available comparable properties.
2. Recent sales of any comparable properties.
3. Price reductions on available comparable properties.
4. Expired or canceled listings of comparable properties.
5. Communication from other sales agents and potential purchasers.
- Outline your options and make recommendations based on market conditions and your personal situation.
- Review your pricing strategy as needed.
Taking to Market
"What is being done to sell my property?" is a reasonable
question to ask. To answer you, I will create a marketing plan specific
to your property. I will educate you about the decision-making process
buyers go through so that you may use that information to your advantage.
I will then implement our plan to display your property
in the most attractive light. I believe that employing strong marketing techniques is smart business,
regardless of whether it is a buyer's market or a seller's market.
In seller's markets, good marketing can bring higher prices and, in
buyer's markets, it could mean the difference between sold or expired.
Good marketing, in of itself, might not sell your property, but it
does make the phone ring. And, it's only when buyers call that your
property will sell.
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To market your property, I will:
- Determine our most logical and beneficial strategy.
- Utilize appropriate marketing resources to alert potential
buyers to your property. This may include signage, flyers,
print advertising (local, national or trade), direct mail, the Internet,
e-flyers, open-house,
agent tours, word-of-mouth and more!
- Maximize the power of the Internet and the MLS (Multiple Listing
Service), by displaying high-quality photography, descriptions, and
virtual tours, per your request.
- Expose your property to a wide group of potential buyers and to our broker network to generate interest from a number of qualified parties.
- Reach out to friends and neighbors who might know of people interested in living in your neighborhood.
- Manage all inquiries on the sale of your property.
- Monitor and communicate feedback that I receive along the way.
- Evaluate the outcomes of the various marketing methods we employ.
Preparing Your Property
Every seller wants the property to sell
fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it's
not luck that makes that happen. It's careful planning and knowing
how to professionally spruce up your property and send buyers
scurrying for their checkbooks. As your agent, I will teach you how
to prep your property to make it irresistible
and marketable.
Now
is the time to get your property ready for the spotlight. We'll talk
about what you can do that can help boost curb appeal
and impress potential buyers once they're in the door.
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To prepare you property for sale, I will:
- Advise you as to how to professionally present your property. Start
with a detailed cleaning, eliminate every bit of clutter, add a fresh
coat of paint and manicure the landscaping.
- Offer further suggestions on
the best way to "stage" your
property for a visit from potential buyers.
- Advise you as to whether to obtain a professional inspection prior to placing your property on the market. An inspection generally presents a clear picture of the physical condition of the property and allows us to anticipate issues that may arise during the transaction. (This is not intended to preclude buyers from obtaining their own inspection.)
- Advise you as to whether to purchase a one-year property protection warranty for the buyer of your property.
- Make sure you are aware of all the federal, state, and local disclosure
laws. This information is obtained from the specific local and federal
government agencies, which I will further explain to you.
Negotiating the Sale
A buyer has made an offer - now it is time to consider negotiations.
I'll guide you through this process and help you arrive
at an acceptable price, terms and conditions. Once you have accepted
an offer, we will work to keep the deal together by meeting deadlines
and criteria, including property inspections, appropriate buyer visits,
scheduled deposits and other steps. In fact, during this period there
may be a renegotiation of the accepted offer price depending on the
outcomes of these visits.
As the closing nears, you may also need
to perform repairs or do additional work to the property as agreed
upon in your contract. In addition, you will need to have
the property "broom
clean" prior to the closing so that the buyer can complete a
final walk through. When you finally arrive at the closing table,
you'll come prepared with the appropriate certificates and approvals
as required by your town, county and state. Once the
money has exchanged hands and all the papers signed it's time to hand
over the keys and concentrate on your next big project - getting YOUR
next property in order.
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To negotiate the sale of your property, I will:
- Discuss various approaches and strategies for negotiating the sale
of your home, and recommend what I consider to be the best option for
each circumstance.
- Assist in negotiating the best price and terms for your property,
given existing market conditions and your personal situation.
- Assist in evaluating the qualifications of any buyer that makes an
offer on your property. The most serious buyers are pre-qualified. A
mortgage specialist will be available to arrange for a mortgage approval,
if requested.
- Assist you in reviewing the conditions put forth in an offer and
their potential impact on the transaction.
- Calculate net proceeds
based on the negotiated sales price.
- Help you make informed decisions; counsel you on your options regarding
offers on your property.
From Acceptance to Closing
The closing date is set during the negotiation phase, and is typically
between 30 and 60 days after the offer is formally accepted. During
this time, a title company holds the money and the signed deed, and
arranges for the transfer. This is primarily so that the seller can
give up ownership of the property, and the buyer can hand over the
payment, without both parties having to be present at the same time.
Escrow ensures an orderly transaction, or if something goes wrong,
an orderly termination of the agreement.
On the
closing date, you and the buyer will consummate the purchase
contract, and ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer.
Ownership is officially transferred when the contract is registered
at the office of the County Recorder of the county in which the property
is located. I will be there
to assist you in handling crucial details so that deadlines are met
in order to bring your transaction to a smooth, successful close.
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To facilitate the close of sale, I will:
- Verify that escrow has been established, deliver a real time calendar of events, and monitor contingency periods and inspections.
- Attend inspections as practical, or at your request.
- Plan a strategy with you as to the results of the preliminary title
search upon receipt and per contract guidelines.
- To the extent possible, monitor the purchaser's loan to review that
the process is running smoothly.
- Provide you with timely updates on the status of the closing process.
- At your direction, actively market the property through the contingency period and beyond based on market conditions.
- Provide you with copies of all documents executed by both parties that are received by me.
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