Important Information for Selling a Home
When you think about selling your home, consider that the easiest way to do it is through an experienced White Mountain Real Estate Agent. Our agents at Advantage Realty Professionals know every detail of the selling process so that you won't have to worry at all. Review the 10 steps below to help guide you.
10 Simple Steps to Selling a Home
Step 1
Contact an agent immediately.
Before you update your home in any way, check with one of our Advantage Realty Professionals. Your agent will tell you whether freshly painted walls, new countertops, or a fixed fence in your backyard will actually make you more money in the process.
Step 2
List your property for sale ASAP.
Advantage Realty Professionals uses this service to get your listing out to a very large audience. Ask your agent to host a tour of your home, where other agents and homebuyers will physically see what your home has to offer.
Step 3
Price it right.
This is one of the most important steps, and you should always look back to consider re-pricing your home if it's not selling. You and your agent should be in constant communication as to how well Buyers and Agents are responding to your price. If you are questioning the Agent's price, get an appraisal.
General Pricing Formula:
- When a property is well-priced, you will receive an offer in 3 to 4 weeks.
- When a property gets a lot of showings and no offers, then your property is 8-10% overpriced. (review every 3 to 4 weeks)
- When a property gets few to no showings and no offers, your property is a minimum of 10-15% overpriced. (review every 3 to 4 weeks)
Step 4
Give a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) tour.
Advantage Realty Professionals uses this service to get your listing out to a very large audience. Ask your agent to host a tour of your home, where other agents and homebuyers will physically see what your home has to offer.
Step 5
Put out a sign and lockbox in your yard.
This extra step ensures that people driving or walking past your home will see that it's for sale. The more available your home is, the faster it will sell.
Step 6
Market your home.
You've already done a majority of the marketing in the previous steps, so talk with your agent about other ways people will find out that you're selling your home. Put your home up on the web and advertise in real estate guides. Give referrals and schedule open houses.
Step 7
Offer Incentives.
Discuss the following Buyer Incentives with your agent: paying for closing costs, and home warranties, completing a home inspection and making all repairs ahead of time, paying for a year of property taxes in advance, paying for a year of HOA fees in advance, and offering a higher commission to the Buyers Agent. Your Agent is knowledgeable in this area and should be consulted.
Step 8
Negotiate an offer.
When you receive an offer, consider accepting it as written. In a changing market, buyers have many options and frequently will only make one offer. When that offer is not accepted, they simply move on to another property. If you must counter, make it as clean and simple as possible. Only counter what is necessary.
Step 9
Get through the contingency period.
This period allows the buyer to get a home inspection, survey, perc test, or appraisal. A buyer may cancel the sale during this time, but your agent will walk you through the entire process.
Step 10
Close the deal.
The state of Arizona does not require the parties to be present for the closing. The agents make sure that the correct paperwork gets processed, and you will receive the final papers and monies as discussed with your escrow agent.