Are you looking to sell your home?
If you’re new to the prospect of selling, it’s only natural to feel overwhelmed at the process. This is especially the case for first-time homebuyers that have never sold a property before. If you’ve never sold a home before, how will you know what to expect?
To help, we’re sharing our ultimate guide to the home-selling process. This guide will explain everything you need to know about what it takes to sell your home. From hiring a sales representative to signing an offer on the dotted line, we’re covering it all!
1. Hire a Sales Representative
Let’s face it, selling your home and finding a new one can be a stressful experience.
In fact, studies have found that selling a home can be more stressful than divorce. This is why hiring the best sales representative to sell your home is crucial. A good sales representative will help to streamline the process and ensure that your experience is as stress-free and successful as possible.
In finding the best sales representative, be sure to interview at least three agents before making your decision. You want to ensure that you have the utmost faith in your chosen sales representative to sell your home.
2. Decide on the Terms and Conditions
Before you sign an official agreement with your sales representative, you’re going to want to go over the terms and conditions of your agreement. To start, be sure to inquire as to the following terms:
What is the commission structure?
What are the terms of your representation?
Which real estate brokerage represents the sales representative?
When does your official representation begin?
These are all important factors to consider before hiring your sales representative. Your sales representative will also explain the different representation options before signing the official documents.
3. Sign a Seller Representation Agreement
Once you’ve outlined these terms and conditions, it’s time to sign your official seller representation agreement.
This agreement will act as an official document to represent your sale. It outlines that you have a working relationship with your sales representative for a predetermined period of time. This document will highlight all of the terms and conditions that relate to the transaction.
Once you have signed this document, the sales representative is officially acting on your behalf. This means that they will act in your best interest throughout the transaction and represent you in the best way possible.
4. Determine the Details of the Listing
Next, it’s time to outline the details of your listing.
This will highlight anything from the listing price of the home and the possession date to which fixtures and furnishings are included in the sale. This is also where you’ll outline the taxes of the home, utility details and any major highlights or inclusions.
Once your sales representative has these details, they will begin to create the listing agreement for your home.
5. Prepare Your Home for Sale
Now that the listing is nearly underway, you’re going to want to begin preparing your home for sale.
Your sales representative will work with you to determine the best ways to get your home ready for market. In most cases, this will entail decluttering, deep-cleaning and removing personal items from the home.
Remember, your goal is to make your home as appealing to potential buyers as possible. The best way to do this is to allow buyers the opportunity to envision their lives in your home. This is best accomplished by removing personal detailing and excessive furnishings.
6. Prepare for Photos and Virtual Tours
Once your home is clean and your furnishings are minimized, it’s time for your close-up!
Here, your sales representative will arrange for their go-to photographer to come to your home and take photos. Depending on the details of your listing, this may also include a virtual tour.
Once the photos are processed, your sales representative will choose the best photos to represent your home. These photos will then be uploaded onto your MLS listing and ready to show the world!
7. Your Listing Goes Live
Now that you have the details of your listing and your photographs, your listing can now go live!
This is when your listing officially hits the market and is available for sale to buyers. Once your listing is live, you’ll want to ensure that your home is as prepared as possible for showings and open houses.
8. Get Ready for Showings and Open Houses
With showings and open houses, it’s crucial to keep your home as clean and organized as possible.
During showings, it’s always best to leave the home and allow the buyers to have privacy. With this, prospective buyers can more enjoyably tour the hour on their own terms and schedule.
It’s also important to note that your sales representative may conduct an open house on the weekend. This invites members of the public into your home and is a great means of marketing your property. These open houses are typically a few hours in length and run on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
9. Begin Buyer and Seller Negotiations
Once you have an interested party, it’s time to begin the negotiations!
Your listing agent will be acting on your behalf and negotiating with the buying agent. With this, you’ll either meet with your sales representative in person or you’ll speak over the phone throughout the negotiation process. They will outline what the buyers are offering and provide you with advice on how to proceed with such offerings.
This process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Of course, every transaction will be unique in the negotiation process.
10. Sign an Accepted Offer
Once you have an agreed-upon purchase price and terms, it’s time to accept your offer.
It’s safe to say this is one of the most exciting and celebration-worthy aspects of selling your home! To do so, your sales representative will walk you through the terms of the offer and outline where you need to sign.
Once the offer is accepted and the conditions are fulfilled, your home will officially be sold!
The Complete Home-Selling Process
Are you preparing to list your home for sale?
If you’ve never sold a home before, understanding the home-selling process can be confusing. Perhaps this is why 89% of sellers choose to hire a sales representative to sell their home.
To help make your sale as stress-free as possible, we’re sharing our ultimate home-selling guide. This guide will outline every step that needs to be considered from beginning to end. With this guide, you can ensure that your home-selling experience is smooth and successful!
Are you looking for expert advice on your property? If so, be sure to contact us today!
-AVL