SELLING... SELLING... SOLD!
All the steps to a smooth and successful sale and closing
A successful sale begins with choosing a REALTOR® to list the property. Your REALTOR® can be depended on for:
- Special knowledge of local market value
- A database of ready and willing buyers
- Maximum exposure of the property on the market
- Marketing expertise and targeted advertising
- Linked to Multiple Listing Service, national and local networks, relocation companies and affinity groups
- Money-saving negotiating skills
- Protection against flaws in the documentation
- Legal protection within the transaction
- Money-saving protection against fee overcharges
- Follow-through to closing
The agent's personality and professional specialties (see Designations link) need to be a good match for your needs. Consult Choose the Right REALTOR® to find that good match.
- Your REALTOR® works with associates to represent many buyers and sellers at the same time, the advantage of numbers
- Your REALTOR® gives you control over when and to whom the home is shown, improved safety for your family and better security for your household belongings
- Your REALTOR® has no emotional attachment to your property, improved negotiating position
- Your REALTOR® insures proper documentation, lawsuits and delays avoided
- Your REALTOR® handles time-consuming paper work and phone conversations with buyers, bankers, appraisers, inspectors, title people and others, your time is your own
- Your REALTOR® is an expert on the local market, and can assist you in getting the best price in the shortest possible time
TAKE THESE STEPS TO ENSURE A SMOOTH SUCCESSFUL SALE AND CLOSING:
- Gather information for a Home Facts File (see link at left) to ensure that selling points are not overlooked during the valuation, marketing or showing. Fill it in and give it to your REALTOR®, who will use it as supplementary marketing information for potential buyers
- Prepare the property for listing, guided by your REALTOR®. Whether the preparation involves remodelling, renovation or simple cleanup, the object is the same: to prepare the house so that it says "Buy Me" to someone willing to pay your asking price
- Agree on a listing price with your REALTOR®. Pricing is specialized work at which REALTORS® excel. Your property is compared in features and price to similar properties available and sold recently in your market. The available properties are your competition. Buyers will compare your property to the others in regards to price, selling terms, location and condition. Sold prices tell REALTORS® what buyers are willing to pay for properties similar to yours, and guide the appraisal and lending process. An accurate selling price helps avoid disagreements with banks and mortgage companies on how much they will lend.
The agent's work notches up in intensity once the selling price is established. The For Sale sign goes on the front lawn. He or she determines the best marketing plan to bring the property to the attention of prospective buyers. Typically, the agent advertises it in newspapers, magazines, on the Internet. REALTORS® also have the exclusive ability to list your home in the Wasatch Front Regional Multiple Listing Service, promoting your home to REALTORS® all along the Wasatch Front. He or she also brings your home to the attention of relocation companies, corporations, affinity groups, fellow REALTORS®, apartment tenants and to companies that frequently need housing for incoming staff.
Appointments are made for showing, which moves the process back into your hands:
- Make sure that your home is kept ready to be shown at all times in case of short notice from your agent. It is spring-cleaning time before a house goes on the market, regardless of the time of year. Use the Viewer-Readiness List (see link at left) as a guide to make your home a pleasant viewing experience for potential buyers. It is a good idea to have as few people and pets around as possible when the home is shown.
- Keep the Home Facts list and paperwork that supports the list items on hand during showings. Tax and utility bills, and documents for work done are frequently requested by potential buyers.
Within a short time there should be offers to review with your REALTOR®, who will be ready to recommend accepting, countering or rejecting offers. Factors that come into play at this stage are your eagerness to sell, the buyer's eagerness to buy and market circumstances (a glut or a shortage of property like yours.)
With negotiations finalized, your REALTOR® coordinates with the other professionals involved in the transaction, such as title insurance, appraisers, mortgage specialists and home inspectors. Your REALTOR® ensures that all deadlines related to the sale are met or extended as needed. He or she monitors the process until the moment final signatures are on the documents at the closing table.
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