How Do I Sell My Home?

At some point in the selling process, many homeowners consider selling the property themselves. While “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO) might appeal to you, homeowners typically do not get the same prices as professional agents. Even after factoring in an agent’s fees, the amount of work it takes to sell a home tends to make an agent a worthwhile investment.

Your choice of an agent is critical to having a successful selling experience. I will listen to you and work with you to provide you with facts, figures, and experience. I will serve as your advocate throughout the transaction.

Florida is known for Hurricane Season. The hurricane season always runs June 1 – November 30. View the Information Guide to learn about how this could affect you.

View Information Guide

View Neighborhood Guide

Steps for a successful sale

While some of the details may differ according to the type of home and local market conditions, following these steps increase the chances for a satisfying selling experience.

STEP 1

Do Your Homework

All homeowners want the same two things when selling a house:

1) Get the best possible price and

2) Sell as quickly as possible

Buying a home isn’t an impulsive decision; selling a home shouldn’t be, either. Before you do commit to any action, take some time and know what’s going on with home sales, comparable activities, and trends. The best way to do that is to schedule a meeting with me. Together, we’ll review the market and trends. If you still wish to sell, I’ll work with you to help you understand the next steps to properly prepare your home for sale.

A fast, profitable sale doesn’t happen by accident or by luck; instead, it’s the result of a sound sales strategy with a specific plan. Using my resources, network, and experience, I will develop a strategy that will help you show off your home to its best advantage. Many “discount” companies, with few to no resources or desire to work on your behalf, will undersell your home just to get it sold.

Once you really understand the selling process, I can really go to work for you. That’s why I’ll walk you through the entire process and will always be eager to answer any questions you might have.

If you are selling your first home, the prospect can be overwhelming. If you’ve sold homes in the past, there may be things you’d rather choose to do differently. I will provide you with a clear understanding of what a successful sale requires, including the levels of support and service you’ll receive.

I will take the time to understand your goals, your timetable, and any special circumstances you may have. If you choose me as your agent, I will:

Outline the home-selling process and provide a list of steps included
Explain the listing agreement, what it entails, and how the commission is paid and distributed
Offer advice and information to help you make informed decisions along the way
Agree on the best way to maintain contact (e.g., phone, text, email, etc.)
Review all documents, and answer any questions you might have. In some instances, I may suggest a consultation with a real estate attorney, if/as needed
Handle the details to help bring about a quick, stress-free close

STEP 2

Pricing

Price is one of the most critical factors prospective buyers consider when looking at a home. You do not want your home for sale to be either under-or over-priced. How do you know what is appropriate? How can you tell what the market will respond to?

Nothing is more important than setting the right asking price for your home. That’s why it’s smart to get the help of a professional with the expertise and experience to price it right the first time. I will present you with a Market Analysis containing facts and amounts on recent sales of similar properties. Then, using my experience and knowledge of the markets, I will create an evaluation of your home, taking into account current activity in your neighborhood and market trends in general. I will make suggestions, if needed, on things you can do to maximize your home’s value and, together, we will arrive at a price that will attract serious buyers to make the best offers.

As your agent, I will:

Prepare and review a Comparable Market Analysis. This will help us determine a pricing strategy for your home
Help to schedule and secure a home inspection prior to listing to see what impact they might have on the price
Provide you with updates of market activity, including:
- Newly listed comparable homes
- Recent sales of comparable homes
- Price changes on similar properties
- Communications from other agents or potential buyers
Outline your options and make recommendations based on market conditions and your personal situation
Periodically review the pricing strategy, as needed

STEP 3

Preparing Your Home List

First impressions matter! I can’t stress this enough: you will never get a second chance to make a great impression. Before inviting buyers into your property, for either individual showings or an open house, you’ll want to do everything to make it as appealing as possible. There are many ways to increase your chances of a sale and, as your agent, I will discuss these with you and determine a plan we both find acceptable. Working as your agent, I will:

Give recommendations on how to best present your property. This may include suggestions for cosmetic changes, such as de-cluttering, painting, landscaping, and arranging the best way to present your home to potential buyers. We will then implement the plan to bring your property to market in the most attractive light
Help you obtain a professional home inspection prior to listing your property if desired. A home inspection makes us aware of the physical condition of your home and will allow us to plan for any issues that may arise during the transaction (Please note: this home inspection is not intended to prevent interested buyers from scheduling their own independent inspection)
Advise you whether or not to offer a one-year property protection warranty for the buyer in the sales transaction

STEP 4

Showing a property is not as simple as, “If we list it, they will come.” Getting interested and qualified buyers to view your home means that we have to cut through all the “noise” of all the other properties for sale. It takes an incredible amount of knowledge, resources, and service to showcase a home, especially in today’s economic climate. As your agent, I will help to:

Determine a strategy for marketing your home
Utilize the most appropriate marketing resources to alert potential buyers to your property
Use my network, the Internet, and the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) to maximize exposure of your home, resulting in a broad group of potential buyers
Manage the activities on the sale of your property
Communicate the status of the selling process and regularly evaluate the results

Some people enjoy negotiation while others dread it. Regardless, it’s important to have an experienced and objective negotiator on your side. Negotiating usually involves compromises from both seller and buyer. As part of my commitment to you, I will:

Help you make informed decisions
Discuss negotiation strategies and make recommendations for the best option in each circumstance (for instance, “What is an acceptable offer?”, “What will our counter-offer strategy be?”, “What compromises are we willing to make?” and so on)
Negotiate the best price and terms, given existing market conditions, your personal situation, and your requirements
Help you review the terms in the offer and the potential impact on the transaction
Assist in qualifying any buyer who extends an offer on your home. I can make a mortgage professional available to assist with a mortgage approval, if requested.

STEP 5

From Contract Acceptance to Closing

During this time (usually one to two months), I will be available to help you handle critical deadlines and details. To help ensure a smooth, successful close, I will:

Update you on the status of the closing process
Provide you with copies of all documents received
As allowable, monitor financing progress to ensure that it is running smoothly
Attend inspections as necessary (or at your request)
If/as directed, market the property for possible back-up contracts through the contingency period and after, based on market conditions

And just because the buyers close on your home doesn’t mean that I will stop working for you. I can help you in a number of ways, whether it’s helping you to move out your possessions, finding qualified help to make any agreed-upon repairs, ensuring that the home is clean enough for the new buyers, to help remind you to cancel (or reroute) utilities and services and to forward the mail to your new address.

What Is My Home Worth?

Get My Home Evaluation

Sellers Guide