Our First Appointment
- I will preview your property, tour the
home and grounds, learning about any
improvements and recent repairs you have
made.
- We will discuss your reasons for selling,
time frame, motivation and financial factors
which may play a role in deciding how to
price the home.
- You will give me any plats, floor plans,
or other pertinent information that will help
in the pricing of your property. I will copy
these and return the originals to you.
- This is a great time for you to ask me
any initial questions you have and voice your
concerns: your input is always welcome.
Market Research, Analysis
& Proposal
- I will obtain the local tax information
on your home and verify square footage, both
finished and unfinished.
- I will search the MLS and other sources
available to me in order to find comparable
properties, both for sale and sold.
- I will prepare a market analysis using a
variety of methods.
- I will suggest a market competitive price
range that your home should sell for and
which will net you the most amount of money
in a reasonable length of time.
- I will present a marketing plan.
- We will discuss any improvements you
might want to make or maintenance you might
want to undertake prior to actively listing
the home for sale.
- We will discuss your preferences in terms
of showing instructions and the best ways to
communicate.
- We will identify the dates to revisit the
original price and market activity thus
far.
Our Listing Appointment
- Once you have reached a decision about
listing and pricing your home, we will meet
to sign the Listing Agreement, and answer new
questions about the home selling process and
showings.
- I will need a copy of the key to the home
and all outbuildings.
- We will discuss the best Showing
Instructions for your circumstances.
- If your home is in a Homeowners
Association and you have any documents
relating to it, have them handy. We will need
to provide the Buyer with an updated
Disclosure packet when we have a ratified
contract as well.
- If you can locate any of the following,
it will be helpful in marketing the home: a
recent tax bill, a survey or plat, a
subdivision plat, recent utility bills, a
floor plan, a title policy, a list of repairs
and improvements to the property, photos -
particularly of other seasons.
- We will decide about such issues as
personal property you wish to sell with the
home, or special fixtures you wish to
reserve.
- We will identify the dates for Open
Houses (if applicable).
- When your home is “ready for a close-up”,
I will return to shoot high quality digital
photos for your color flyer and marketing
materials.
Your Home is on the
Market
- I will help you stage your home to
sell.
- We will remove fragile and/or valuable
mementos, jewelry etc from the home or stow
them safely out of sight. We will also safely
store prescription medicines and personal
information and paperwork.
- When showing appointments are made,
please open the drapes, turn on the lights,
wash and put away your dishes, neaten up all
the rooms, take the dog with you, and go out
for a drive.
- You will be serving your own best
interests if you do not stay home for the
showings or verbally discuss the property,
including its condition, the price or your
motivation with agents, prospective buyers,
or even casual acquaintances….Please politely
ask that all questions be addressed to
me.
- After the showing, I will follow up with
that agent and give you feedback.
- Tell me if we are running out of flyers
and I will bring more over.
- I will give you the dates and types of
advertising planned as well as an outline of
my total marketing campaign.
Someone Wants to Buy Your
Home!
- The Buyer’s agent will research
comparable sales and will educate and advise
the Buyer on comparable sales, neighborhood
data, the neighborhood association, schools,
market conditions, legal requirements
relating to the offer etc…
- The Buyer's agent will consult with the
lender to determine best financing
options.
- That agent will write the contract to
purchase, have the buyer sign it and deliver
the offer to me.
- I will present all verbal and written
offers and explain them to you in full. You
will respond in writing: this response may be
an acceptance, a counter offer, or a
rejection.
- I will get all signatures and initials
required and present the counter offer to the
other agent..and so on!
From Contract to Closing
- I will coordinate, as required, with the
Buyer’s Agent, lender, settlement agents,
etc.
- If applicable, I will help you obtain the
HOA Package. The Buyer has 3 days from
receipt of package to read and approve of the
information. This is called a 3-day right of
rescission.
- You will get a copy of the signed
contract. I will distribute other copies of
the contract to the other agent, your
attorney or settlement agent and other
parties as needed.
- The Buyer will pick an inspector(s) and
contact us to make arrangements for any
inspections. Possible inspections could
include: general home inspection, radon, lead
based paint, building contractor. They will
share the results of the inspections with me
and I will review them with you. We will
negotiate possible repairs and then make
arrangements to have those repairs performed,
saving the receipts to show the Buyer.
- The Buyer will apply for financing.
- You will need to get estimates from
Movers and schedule packing and moving prior
to Closing Day.
- You need to call any utilities and close
the accounts in your name as of the closing
date. Please keep all the utilities on until
settlement because the buyer needs lights and
water for the final walkthrough!
- You need to terminate your homeowner’s
insurance ( effective once the transaction is
truly closed ) and provide your settlement
agent or attorney with any loan payoffs, loan
numbers, and lender information relating to
any and all mortgages you have on the
property.
- I will notify all parties when loan is
approved, I will verify that the settlement
agent has the survey, title work, etc. I will
verify time and date of closing.
- 30 days before closing, I will need to
order the wood infestation report and the
well/septic reports if applicable and have
the results sent to your settlement
agent.
- If you have fuel oil or propane, the
tanks need to be measured 2 days before
closing and the results need to be sent to
your settlement agent.
The Closing
- The final walkthrough inspection will be
scheduled, usually within 48 hours prior to
closing, as mutually convenient. You need to
be totally moved out of the house. All the
personal property in the attic, basement, any
sheds, or barns needs to be removed. Give the
house a thorough cleaning.
- I need all the keys (house and mailbox if
applicable) and remotes.
- You need to meet with your settlement
agent to sign the Deed and give them
instructions for depositing all funds after
closing.
- Once the Buyer has signed all the papers,
given their settlement agent all the funds,
and the Deed has been recorded at the
Courthouse, they will be given the keys.
- Make sure I have your new address and
phone number.