Five Steps to Selling Your Home

A major life change has occurred, perhaps in your job or the size of your family, and you realize you need to sell your home. Losing the memories of a cherished home can be stressful no matter how exciting the next step is, and a compassionate real estate agent with Carolina Garcia Real Estate Group will help you get through this transition with a clear head, quickly and profitably. Two of the most common mistakes sellers make are overpricing their home and not returning it to showroom condition. Let’s start there.

• Set the right price

It can be difficult to be unbiased when setting your price, as you see the house differently than a stranger would. This is why your agent’s understanding of your specific market is so crucial. We will look at what comparable homes are selling for and how long they have been on the market – but comps are just one assessment tool, and the condition of your home, time of year, and many other factors will come into play. Setting a fair price from the outset will generate the most interest from buyers and their agents. If you set your price too high, your home will linger on the market, always a red flag for buyers. In the end, you may have to drop your price below market value to compete with newer, more appropriately priced listings. As your agent, we have a fiduciary responsibility to get you the best offer, but if you are still unsure, you can always have an appraisal done. Learn more about home pricing.

• Make a great first impression

You only get one chance to make a first impression – according to some studies, as little as three seconds. This means the moment a potential buyer sees your house, they have to feel as if it could be theirs. Although your personal decorating style works for you, it’s not a sales asset. This is a difficult mindset to get into, but it’s absolutely necessary. Pay special attention to the front yard and entry – make sure they’re welcoming. Repair leaky faucets, torn screens, sticky doors and windows, and broken light fixtures, and replace worn out linens and mats. Remove all clutter, especially storage boxes, from rooms, hallways, closets, and the garage. In order to make each room appear as spacious as possible, clear out knick-knacks and consider storing any unnecessary furniture. Lastly, remove all personal items and photos, and if your walls are a strong color, have them repainted something neutral. Learn more about preparing your home for sale.

• Market strategically

Carolina Garcia Real Estate Group will create a personalize marketing strategy for your home, including online listings, yard signs, advertising, agent-to-agent referrals, and direct mail campaigns. We will help you show off your home in the best light and have professional photographs taken that highlight your home’s strengths. Virtual tours are also popular. As the sellers, make sure everyone you know is aware your home is for sale, and encourage friend referrals.

• Negotiate offers

Your agent will receive a written offer that includes items such as the offer price, down payment, financing, fees and who will pay them, repair requests, and contingencies. You have three options: accept the contract as is, accept it with changes (a counteroffer), or reject it. Most offers will require some negotiation to arrive at a mutually satisfactory end. Keep in mind any costs you will incur will affect your profit, but not selling quickly will also affect your end price. Once both parties have signed a written offer, the document becomes legally binding.

• Close the deal

Once you accept an offer, the closing process begins. This might include having the property formally appraised, surveyed, inspected and/or repaired. You may incur these costs or not, depending on your contract with the buyer. If each of these steps is successful, you will have a closing date and sign all the documents that will legally transfer ownership of the property to the buyer. If a problem occurs, you can open a new round of negotiations, or in some cases, walk away from the deal entirely.

Congratulations! You’re ready to move on to your next big dream!