8 Simple Steps to Selling Your Home


1. Initial Consultation
The initial consultation is the time for us to determine whether we will make a good team. It is a time for you to ask me questions and a chance for me to listen to your wishes and expectations. At this meeting I will guide you through the process so that you will know what to expect along the way. I will take note of the key features of your home, its systems , overall condition and way that may enhance its marketability.                    

2. Market Analyses
In order to determine a reasonable market value for your home, I will conduct a study of comparable homes that have sold, homes that are pending and are currently on the market. I will look at the original asking price, the final sales price and how long the home was on the market. Since no two homes are exactly alike I will make the necessary adjustments for size, condition and location when comparing the homes in order to make an accurate assessment of the market value. Together we will determine the price range for your home.

3. Preparing Your Home
First impressions will determine whether or not a buyer will get out of the car or drive by. Many buyers sell themselves on a house on the basis of their first impression. Make sure the lawn is cut and edges trimmed and the front door looks clean and inviting. When your home looks its best it will generate interest and provide you with more selling opportunities. Let potential buyers “see” themselves in your home. Too many personal items can make it difficult for buyers to feel at home. Keep things clean and simple. I will walk through your home with you offering suggestions on how to better prepare your home.

If your home will be empty we will discuss the possibility of “staging” it with select furnishings. I can recommend a staging professional if needed.

4. Listing Your Home and Marketing Plan
Marketing your home for maximum exposure is my goal. Following is a list of services that I will provide:

Your home will be listed on the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. This database is used by over 15,000 agents and approximately 800 Real Estate Companies working through out the region. The MLS is a strong marketing tool and for many agents and buyers is often their first exposure to your property. Interior and exterior photos as well as specific information about your home will be found on this site.

In addition your home will be listed on the Lake and Company Website, Realtor.com and my personal website www.connectingpugetsound.com.

Brokers open houses will be held to ensure maximum visibility to agents from other offices. 

Agents from Lake & Company will tour your home as part of their weekly agency meeting. As the most productive independent residential real estate company in the area, Lake & Company is a powerful asset in the selling of your home.

Public open houses will be held to on weekends to generate buyers interest.

Advertisements will be placed in local, regional and neighborhood papers.

Design and provide marketing materials including informative flyers highlighting the special features of your home.

Prepare a “Property Information Booklet” for agents to use when writing up offers, including the Seller’s Disclosure Statement, and Lead Paint Disclosure. These will be available in the house to facilitate the offer process.

Communicate. I will keep you informed of what is taking place, feedback I may have received and the next steps.

5. Negotiation
Most offers are made to the seller and the sellers agent by an agent on behalf of his or her buyer.  It is my job to protect your best interests. Often a buyer will offer less then the asking price, if that happens, as your Real Estate Consultant I will use my skills to strike a balance between the price you have asked for and the price that is being offered. I will represent you throughout the negotiations, providing strategy suggestions based on the specific situation. Creating a win-win situation so that both parties feel comfortable with the outcome is the goal.

6. Escrow
Escrow is a “disinterested third party” and is identified in the Purchase and Sale Agreement. Escrow will coordinate signing the closing documents, payoff liens, and record the legal sale documents. Signing at escrow is generally done 2-3 days before closing, often not scheduled until all the loan documents have been received from the buyers lender. I will be managing all these details and will keep you informed of the progress. I will be present at your signing appointment.

7. Closing
A day or so after the seller and buyer sign closing palers, Escrow will record the documents with the county, funds will transfer to the seller, title will transfer to the buyer and the sale is officially closed. You will receive a phone call from the escrow agent and myself letting you know when this has been completed. It generally happens mid to late afternoon.

8. Possession
Now that the deed is recorded and the transaction officially closed you will provide possession of the property to the buyer as outlined in the Purchase and Sale Agreement. This can either be the date of closing or a later date. I will be responsible for coordinating. the exchange of keys.

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