real estate santa margarita california homes for sale
Amanda Weatherspoon Realtor

Your Realtor for Central California Coast!805-459-0675
 
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 :

  • 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.
  • 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

 
Arroyo Grande Property

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.

  • 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

 
Avila Beach Property

"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.

  • 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

 
Arroyo Grande 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.

  • 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

 
Los Osos Property

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.

  • 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

 
Arroyo Grande Property

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.

  • 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.

Atascadero Property

Nipomo Subdivision

 

 

    San Luis Obispo County ~ Central California Coast
Atascadero
Atascadero
Creston
Creston
Paso Robles
Paso Robles
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo
Santa Margarita
Santa Margarita
Templeton
Templeton
    Click on photos for more information.
Amanda Weatherspoon
Merrill & Associates Real Estate

2004 Dallons Drive, Suite 100
Paso Robles, California 93446
  Phone: 805-459-0675
Fax: 805.226.5505