The Selling Process
You made a great investment in your property, and whether you have owned it for just a few months, or for years or even decades, we consider it our goal to make sure that you sell it quickly, and for the highest profit possible. We don’t stop there, though…we also strive to provide West + Main clients with a smooth transaction, as little hassle as possible, and a seamless process with transparent and constant communication.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Honest advice. From preparing your home for sale to handing over the keys to the property’s new owners, we are here at every step, bump, and curve in the journey.
PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY FOR SALE
You might keep your home looking like a designer showroom every day…if that’s the case, great! Let’s put a sign in the yard and let the showings begin! But, if you’re like most of the people that we work with, you have a little work to do first. This might involve:
- Decluttering + depersonalizing
- Minor touch-ups
- Small repairs
- Deep cleaning
- Staging + Photography
And, in some cases, it might even mean some cosmetic upgrades or even remodeling
Every situation is different, and, depending on your Real Estate goals, it might take a few days or even weeks to get your house ready, and that’s totally ok with us.
We have a large network of contractors and professionals who have done a great job for our clients and our agents. If you need a recommendation or referral for a plumber, electrician, painter, handyman, etc, just let us know, we will be happy to make an introduction or pass along their information!
WHAT IS IT WORTH?
We are always happy to create a Comparative Market Analysis for your property so that you will have an idea of where you stand financially, even if you aren’t planning on selling anytime soon. We will also generate an Estimated Net Sheet so that you can see every line item and cost involved, as well as your potential bottom line profit.
PRICING + POSITIONING YOUR PROPERTY
One thing we say over and over again is Don’t trust the Zestimate. Even though Zillow might pop out a number for your property, it’s always better to have a local Realtor tour your home, consider all of the factors involved, and run a detailed analysis in order to make sure your home is perfectly positioned for the market.
Did you know that there are very drastic differences in numbers of showings, multiple offer potential, and even escrow timelines depending on which time of the year and day of the week you choose to list your property? We keep a close eye on the statistics, historical data, and many other factors in order to make sure that your house hits the market at exactly the right time - and it’s not the same for every type of home, neighborhood, or city! Listing at the non-optimal time can cost you thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in potential profit.
MARKETING MATTERS
Our in-house Creative Team is staffed by seasoned professionals who are passionate about making sure your home’s story is seen + heard by potential homebuyers. From beautiful flyers to expertly crafted property descriptions and photos, our goal is to target your property’s audience with attention-catching materials that get doors unlocked. This might include targeted online advertising, print materials, highlighted exposure in our widely distributed newsletters, feature placement on our blog + website, and more. Every home’s story is special + unique…we can’t wait to tell yours.
EXPERT NEGOTIATION
Believe it or not, the best offer for your situation might not always be the highest price. We will help you consider all of the factors involved so that you not only go under contract in a timely manner, but also make it all the way to the closing table.
This might include considering the best dates + deadlines for your timeline, as well as provisions like waived inspections or offers that include appraisal gap coverage. If you need to find a replacement property or would like to have the option to rent your home back for a few days or even weeks after closing, that is also something that we consider when reviewing and negotiating offers.
TRANSACTION MANAGEMENT
Once your home is pending, we work to keep everything on track + moving forward as smoothly as possible. From tracking and meeting important deadlines to coordinating with the buyer’s agent, lender, and title company...there are a lot of moving pieces + parts involved.
01 ACCEPTANCE DATE
All milestones in the contract start from the Date Of Acceptance which occurs when the executed purchase agreement is signed by all involved parties.
02 EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT
Also called the “Initial Deposit” is usually due 24 hrs after acceptance and will be deposited in an escrow account and applied to the Down Payment at time of purchase.
03 SELLERS DISCLOSURES
Usually due 7 days after acceptance, but it’s a good idea for Sellers to get these completed to the best of their knowledge ASAP.
04 BUYER’S INVESTIGATION
Seller allows Buyer to complete all due diligence, property inspections and reports such as disclosures and homeowner’s association rules. Often, these investigations lead to another round of negotiations.
05 CONTINGENCY REMOVAL
When satisfied, Buyer removes inspection contingency, appraisal contingency, loan contingency and any other deadlines. Once all deadlines have passed, Buyer’s earnest money becomes non-refundable.
06 FINAL WALKTHROUGH
Seller allows Buyer to verify that the property is in substantially the same condition as when they first wrote the offer by walking the property. This usually occurs within 5 days of the expected closing date.
07 CLOSING + POSSESSION
Seller and Buyer typically meet at the closing table to sign all property transfer documentation. Keys are typically transferred to the Buyer at the closing table, unless there is delayed possession or a rent-back that has been agreed upon.
Want to talk more about what the home selling process might look like for you + your house? I'd love to chat!