10 Steps Before Selling

1. Get Pre-Approved for a Home Loan 

Market conditions change rapidly and you do not want to get caught off guard with any unexpected issues involving your credit, so be sure to get pre-approved before you get into the home buying or selling process.

Find a lender you trust and research the housing market in the area where you wish to live so that you have a good idea how much it will take to buy a replacement.

How To Start Researching

We can show you any property (regardless who the listing agent is) and you can use this website to search the entire MLS and find any property in the area!

Start looking for two types of real estate:

  • Houses that seem to match the one you'd like to buy
  • Houses that are similar to your current home.

2. Check Your Mortgage Payoff 

Call your lender to find out the payoff for your current home mortgage. You'll need the figure to complete Step 6.

3. Determine How Much the House Is Worth

Determine your home's fair market value. We can help you by doing an initial Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report to see what recent home sales have been in your area and then arrange for an appraisal if there's not enough data in your area.

 

4. Estimate Your Costs to Sell Your Existing Home

We can give you a very close estimate of seller closing costs including the following factors:

  • Real estate commissions
  • Attorney, closing agent and other professional fees
  • Stamps on the Deed and Title Insurance
  • Prorated costs for your share of annual expenses, such as property taxes, home owner association fees, and fuel tank rentals
  • Any other fees typically paid by the seller in our area (surveys,repairs, etc.)
 

5. Determine Your Costs to Acquire a New Home 

Total all expenses related to buying a new home including:

  • Moving expenses, loan costs, down payment, home inspections, title work and policy, new hazard insurance policy, etc.

  • Your lender should give you a disclosure of estimated costs when you apply for pre-approval.  We refer to this as the GFE (Good Faith Estimate).

 

6. Calculate Your Estimated Proceeds 

  • Will your closing proceeds cover your costs to acquire a new home?

  • Will you have cash or other funding to make up the difference? 

 

Calculate your proceeds by:

  • Deduct your mortgage payoff from your home's fair market value.

  • Deduct your costs to sell from the remainder to get an estimate of the proceeds you will be paid at closing.

 

7. Make Necessary Repairs 

Make all major priority repairs (low to high priority items identified on Home Seller’s Tips page) unless you want the house to be regarded as a fixer-upper. We're not referring to cosmetic updates, but to items in need of repair. Anything that's out of line, gives potential buyers a reason to submit a lower offer.

 

8. Get the House Ready to Show 

Most houses need at least a little spiffing up before they are shown to potential buyers. Great curb appeal, fresh paint indoors (and sometimes out), organized closets and cabinets, clean windows and appliances, and a clutter-free atmosphere are essential if you want the house to appeal to buyers.  You have 15 seconds to win over a potential buyer.  First impressions really count!!

 

9. Make Your Home Accessible and Comfortable 

That means it's always ready to show. Many agents won't bother showing a house that takes 24 hours to get into. Don’t crowd home buyers when they are viewing your home and make every effort possible to make them feel comfortable while in your home.

 

10. How to Find a Real Estate Listing Agent

Basically, there are many agents who all adhere to the same professional standards or code of ethics established by the National Association of Realtors, but here are some reasons you should do business with us: 

  • We are professional and competent in the home selling process.  

  • We utlilize marketing tools including this website that provides you with ample educational resources, information about the area and offer the MLS search 

  • We return calls and communicate in a timely manner.  This includes showing feedback.

  • Don't just take our word for it, ask for our referrals. Don’t do business with us because we have a nice website, let our previous customers tell you how we serviced them

  • Make an appointment and interview us, ask about our marketing strategies, placement in MLS, services offered, commission rate, etc.

  • Get a feel for our knowledge and experience of the industry and the local area