Promoting Your Home Buyer's Prospect Pricing Your Home The Closing Tips for SellingWe welcome the chance to guide you through the entire selling process.
Selling your home is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your life. How much is our home really worth? How long will it take to sell? How do you handle buyers making undesirable offers? Rest assured, we can help you through this complicated process.
Everyone you will be working with here has either grown up in the First Alphabet neighborhood or has lived here for many years. Years of experience and our knowledge of the area will help you price your home right and help you sell it faster.
Why it's smart to work with us to sell your home? You're hiring us to make sure you get the maximum value for your home within your time frame. We have a history of high sales productivity and a reputation for ethical and professional conduct. We are aggressive! The proof is in our annual sales - even in down turn real estate years.
Our exclusive services. Multiple website listings and a proven marketing plan will assure your homes exposure to a large number of qualified buyers. We help our clients by making the listing, sale and closing of their home as smoothly and profitable as possible. We can be your single resource to help you in every aspect in the sale of your home.
It's no mystery our business has thrived from referrals! When it comes right down to it, it's all about your confidence in us to help you sell your home. We work hard to help our sellers make the move that makes them happy.
Here is how we can do the same for you!
Promoting Your Home
Creating a marketing plan just for you.
What does this mean to you? Our experience will significantly increase the odds that your real estate needs will be met. And it will be done in less time and with less effort by you.
Our objectives in listing and marketing your property are as follows.
- Secure as many buyers as possible that are qualified to purchase your property.
- Communicate the results of our activities to you.
- Assist you in getting the highest dollar value for your property with the least amount of problems for you.
- Constantly look for the best possible methods of exposing your property to potential buyers in the marketplace.
To accomplish these objectives, the following is the marketing plan we will use to sell your property:
- Submit your property to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
- Submit copies of your listing to our sales staff for their potential buyers.
- Tour your property.
- Develop a list of features and benefits of your property for the cooperating agents to use while showing to their potential buyers.
- Suggest and advise you as to any changes you might want to make in your property to make it even more marketable to the buyer.
- Regularly update you as to any changes in current market conditions.
- Inform surrounding property owners in your neighborhood that your property is on the market.
- Display a professional sign and lockbox.
- Create promotional pieces for mailing and display.
- Advertise - we are aggressive!
- All of our properties are displayed on multiple websites.
- Pre-qualify, when possible, all prospective buyers.
- Make you completely aware of all the various methods of financing that the buyer may want to use.
- Invite the cooperating Brokers in the area to tour your property.
- Follow up on the salespeople that have shown your property to their prospective buyers and give you as much feedback as possible.
- Assist you, if necessary, in arranging interim financing.
- Aid you during the presentation of all contracts by agents and help you in negotiating the best possible price and terms for your home.
- Handle follow-up and keep you informed on closing procedures after your property has been sold.
- Order necessary inspections for closing.
Buyer's Prospect
How will my home be shown to a possible buyer?
An agent from our firm or a member of your support staff will always attempt to notify you personally before your property is shown. If an agent from another company within the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) wishes to show your property, that appointment will also be arranged through our office. Occasionally, we will be unable to contact you and for that reason we need to have a key available in a lock box so that the property can still be shown and a possible sale is not lost. If someone stops by and wants to inspect your home without an appointment, we recommend that you either ask them to wait while you call our office and have one of our agents come them the house to show it to you. Or, give them one of the cards your realtor left with you and ask them to call us for an appointment.
These suggestions are made for your own protection. We want every person who goes through your home to be a qualified buyer. We will try to give you suggestions on how to improve the "show ability" of your home.
Naturally, a home that is very neat and clean inspires more confidence in the buyer. Our experience has shown that it is easier to sell a home to a relaxed buyer. We feel it contributes to a more successful showing if the seller is either not at home or avoids contact with the buyer. If any questions arise, we will certainly contact you. Form time to time, we will advise you of the results of the showing.
What if someone wants to buy my property?
When a prospect is ready to buy, an "offer to purchase" will be written. This is a legal document, which when signed by both the buyers and seller, becomes a binding sales contract. The Purchase Agreement will contain all of the terms and conditions of the sale. Such as:
- Purchase price
- Financing terms
- Any special contingencies
- Amount of earnest money
- Acceptance date
- Closing date
Where will the buyer get their money?
It is our business to be familiar with the types and terms of financing that are available in the current market, and to help the buyer obtain the money needed to complete the purchase of your property. The purchase of real estate is most commonly financed by one of the following methods:
- Conventional Financing
Banks, Credit Unions or Savings and Loan. (This is the most common source.) - Cash - Buyer has funds from other sources.
- Owner Financing - Land Contract (Contract for Deed) or Second Mortgage
Determining a property's market value is a complex procedure that involves cooperation between the Realtor and the Owner of the property. In every real estate transaction, all parties are concerned that the property involved be sold for a fair price.
The methods used to determine the pride for your property are:
- Market Data Approach - The subject property is compared with other similar properties that have sold (comparative) and are now for sale (competitive).
- Cost Approach - The cost to rebuild is calculated and adjustments are made for factors such as age and condition.
- Income Approach - the property's income and yield determine the price.
The method we use to determine a listing price by the Market Data Approach is the Comparative and Competitive Market Analysis (CMA).
"While a large number of sales of properties have been considered, only those believed to be especially pertinent are noted here. We have related them to the subject and have considered factors influencing their value. We consider the data adequate and under these circumstances, they are a valid support to the conclusions indicated."
Purpose of a Comparative Market Analysis
Using the Market Data approach.
The use of market data in estimating real estate values involves the comparison of the subject property as a real estate entity with other similar real estate entities, which have recently sold (comparative) and are now for sale (competitive). These considerations are limited as much as possible to properties which are believe to have a high degree of similarity and to transactions which involved informed buyers and sellers who negotiated freely in the open market. As a method, it is based upon the idea that a prudent person will pay no more for a property than it will cost to secure a comparable substitute.
The approach is not intended to limit in any way the actual selling price of the property. It does, however, provide a strong foundation upon which sellers may have expectations regarding their selling price.
Can I get more than the Comparative Market Analysis indicates?
Your home is worth a great deal to you. Perhaps it represents hours of handiwork, the early years of your children lives, or years of happiness and memories. However, your property has a defined market value, which is determined by what a knowledgeable buyer will pay after it has been exposed to the market for a reasonable period of time.
It is important to price your property realistically. Our past experience indicates that a property that is correctly priced can be considered three quarters sold.
Overpricing can work against you:
- Your property will not compare favorable with similar properties that are properly priced, so you will, in fact, be helping to sell your competition.
- An overpriced property will remain on the market too long, prompting buyers to feel there is something wrong with it.
- If your home does not sell quickly, you may be forced to own two homes at once, or it may even prevent your move.
- If your home should sell at an inflated price, a low appraisal will make financing more difficult, possibly even costing you the sale.
- It reduces the sales associates' activity and enthusiasm.
- It reduces advertising response.
- It discourages qualified buyers from making a realistic offer, based on their education of the market.
The ultimate technology tool.
Studies show that 70% to 80% of home buyers begin their search on the internet. We embrace this technology. We see the internet as a critical convenience to offer.
Understanding design and web tools.
If you're selling property, you want to maximize your exposure to buyers. We understand the importance of taking quality digital photos and designing selling tools to present your property in the best possible way. We use a variety of promotional tools, but we emphasize our online capabilities.
FirstAlphabet.com
In addition to Realtor.com, Craigslist, Postlets, Google, Advance your Dreams, MLS, buyers will find your listing easily using our website. Buyers can navigate with fewer clicks and have a lot of information available to them from the comforts of their home.
The Closing
What does my Realtor do to close the sale?
It is your realtor's responsibility to coordinate the paperwork and other activities, which must be completed prior to closing.
Typical of the many details to be handled include:
- Assist the buyer in obtaining the necessary financing.
- Update Abstract of Title.
- Arrange for the Title Opinion or Title Insurance.
- Arrange preparation of Deed and transfer documents.
- Assist in clearing the title, if necessary.
- Assists in arranging for the appraisal.
- Arrange the septic and well inspections, if necessary, and have Sewer and Well Disclosure Statements on file.
- Arrange for the survey, if necessary.
- Arrange for any other needed special services.
- Pro-rate the real estate taxes.
- Check to see that all special assessments are paid.
- Pro-ration of utilities on day of closing.
- Prepare an escrow account for any problems that may arise.
- Have the electric meter read on the day of closing and transferred into the buyers name. The final electric bill will be forwarded to the Seller's new address.
- Arrange the pay-off on your mortgage.
- Arrange a date and time for the closing.
- Act as your representative at the closing, making it unnecessary for you to attend.
- Deliver a check to you!
You hired us to close the sale for you. Unless some complications arise, all you have to do is:
- Sign the deed
- Sign the Closing Statement
- Make arrangements to move into your new home.
- Discontinue the telephone, cable TV and security system.
Tips for Selling
First impressions are important.
If the outside of your home does not look well kept, customers will hesitate inspecting the interior. Also, keep the interior of your home as neat and clean as possible. Uncluttered rooms look larger and more attractive.
Typically, there is no need to completely re-decorate. If there are walls that need painting or cleaning, woodwork that needs paint or varnish, or other miscellaneous items that could be easily completed it is highly recommended that you do so. This will aid in the sale of your home.
- Clean windows always help.
- Leaking faucets always raise questions about plumbing. They are easy to repair.
- Fix loose doorknobs, sticky drawers, etc.
- Keep stairways clear of all unnecessary objects to avoid possible injuries.
- Keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
- Try to keep pets outside the home during an inspection and clean up pet droppings in the yard.
- Keep air smelling fresh. Air fresheners or candles are nice.
- Clothing properly hung and arranged will make the smallest closet look ample. Remover all clothes, shoes, etc., not in use. Remove all unnecessary items from storage areas. Unused items are better off packed and placed into storage.
- Have sufficient lighting - if its is daytime, leave your window coverings open. If it is evening,, make sure all your lights are on. Light makes your rooms appear larger and more appealing.
- A bright, cheerful kitchen is always impressive. Remember to clean counter surfaces, dishes, appliances, etc. A bright and refreshing bathroom is extremely important.
- Arrange furniture to give a spacious feeling.
- Avoid clutter. Walk around the perimeter of the home. Remove all garbage cans and debris and all unnecessary lawn care items.
- Keep radio, television and stereo off at all times during a showing. They are very distracting to a prospective buyer.
- To put buyers at ease, we recommend you turn on the lights and not be present during the showing.
- Never assist the salesperson in the showing of your home. Should any questions arise, you will be contacted at the end of the showing period or very soon thereafter.
- Make certain all appliances and mechanical systems are in proper working order unless otherwise noted on the Sellers Disclosure Statement.
