The Process of Selling Your Home
The process of selling your home can seem daunting but with Team Clayton, it won't be! That doesn't mean you shouldn't know what's going on, so here's what you can expect when you decide to sell your home.
- Interview Agents: Make sure they can not only list your home but get it sold. Professional photos? Transaction Coordinator? Make sure they can get the job done.
- Price Your Home: A real estate agent should tour your home, to see the finishes and upgrades you may have made to the property. Then they can do a comparative analysis to determine your home's value.
- Prepare Your Home: You may have some homework to get ready for photos, to pack up personal items, or even some minor repairs. The goal is to help the buyers envision themselves in you home. Your REALTOR® should give you tips.
- Time for Showings: Now is the stressful part. However, your agent should have set up the showing instructions to make it as easy on you and your pets as possible. So make sure your input on how you want your home shown, is heard.
- Time for Offers: After about 10 showings, we should expect an offer. If not, we'll want to look at the feedback on your home and adjust accordingly. This is when you listen to the market, so be open to change!
- SOLD!: Once you get an offer, the process isn't complete. This is where you negotiate price, who pays closing costs, and a closing date. So having an experienced REALTOR® with good negotiation skills, actually pays!
Phase two of selling your home involves fulfilling the contractual obligations and getting to the close of escrow date. Here's what that involves:
- Inspection Period: From the date you accept the contract, the buyer has 10 days to complete inspections. This could involves any number of inspectors so be patient and don't worry. They will do their best work with you away, so plan a day out of the house. *During this period, the buyer can walk at any time.
- Repairs: Once the inspection period is complete, you will have a list of repairs that the seller wants you to complete, based on the inspections. This is where more negotiation begins, so decide what you're willing to repair and what you wont. *Depending on what you decide, you may have 5 more days of inspection period.
- Appraisal: The lender orders an appraisal after the inspection and he will determine your homes values. If it comes in too high, more negotiations! Just right, then the deal moves forward. This may be the most crucial point to have good negotiator on your side.
- Close of Escrow: Most agents will think it's smooth sailing from here, but not us! We make sure to maintain contact with the buyer's lender to ensure the loan process stays on track.
- Signing Day: Finally, the day to go down to the Title Company and sign all the paperwork is here. This completes the transaction and the Title Company will do the rest. Once they record the paperwork at the County Recorder's Office, it's official. You have to be moved out by that time, no exceptions!
Talk about a lot to handle! So, ask your REALTOR® how many transactions they do a year. That will tell you how experienced they are at getting deals done! It's one thing to list a home for sale, it's another task to get it sold! So give us a call and put our team to work for you!
Have any questions? Email me at Kyle@teamclayton.com or on Facebook!