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  1. Define your needs. Write down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, “Why do I want to sell and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?” For example, a growing family may prompt your need for a larger home, or a job opportunity in another city may necessitate a move. For your goals, write down if you’d like to sell your house within a certain time frame or make a particular profit margin. Together we will map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale.

  2. Name your price. Your next objective should be to determine the best possible selling price for your house. Setting a fair asking price from the outset will generate the most activity from other real estate agents and buyers. You will need to take into account the condition of your home, what comparable homes in your neighborhood are selling for, and state of the overall market in your area. It’s often difficult to remain unbiased when putting a price on your home, so my expertise is invaluable at this step. I will know what comparable homes are selling for in your neighborhood and the average time those homes are sitting on the market. If you want a truly objective opinion about the price of your home, you could have an appraisal done, which I will be happy to set up for you. This typically costs a few hundred dollars. Remember: You’re always better off setting a fair market value price than setting your price too high. Studies show that homes priced higher than 3 percent of their market value take longer to sell. If your home sits on the market for too long, potential buyers may think there is something wrong with the property. Often, when this happens, the seller has to drop the price below market value to compete with newer, reasonably priced listings.

  3. Prepare your home. Most of us don’t keep our homes in “showroom” condition. We tend to overlook piles of boxes in the garage, broken porch lights, and doors or windows that stick. It’s time to break out of that owner’s mindset and get your house in tip-top shape. The condition of your home will affect how quickly it sells and the price the buyer is willing to offer. First impressions are the most important. I can help you take a fresh look at your home and suggest ways to stage it and make it more appealing to buyers.

    • A home with too much “personality” is harder to sell. Removing family photos, mementos and personalized decor will help buyers visualize the home as theirs.

    • Small defects, such as a leaky faucet, a torn screen, or a worn doormat, can ruin the buyer’s first impression. Consider fixing/replacing anything that is worn out or inoperable. I will be happy to provide you with a list of contractors to assist you.

    • Clutter is a big no-no when showing your home to potential buyers. Make sure you have removed all knick-knacks from your shelves, thinned out all closets, and cleared all your bathroom and kitchen counters to make every area seem as spacious as possible. Rule of thumb, If you won't use it for the next 3 months, pack it up. If needed, I am happy to have a professional home stager (Ashely Martin) come to your home to make suggestions. Furniture layout, the flow of the house, paint colors, and lighting are all essential to maximizing your investment.

  4. Get the word out. Now that you’re ready to sell, I will set up a marketing strategy specifically for your home. There are many ways to get the word out, including:

    • The Internet

    • Yard signs

    • Open houses

    • Media advertising

    • Agent-to-agent referrals

    • Direct neighborhood calling and mail marketing campaigns. In addition, to listing your home on the MLS. I will use a combination of these tactics to bring the most qualified buyers to your home. Oftentimes I will sell your house myself prior to you actually going on the market.

  5. Receive an offer. When you receive a written signed offer I will verify the individual is prequalified or preapproved to buy your home. If so, then I will explain the proposed contract, taking care to understand what is required of both parties to execute the transaction. The contract, though not limited to this list, should include the following:

    • The legal description of the property

    • Offer price

    • Down payment

    • Financing arrangements

    • List of fees and who will pay them

    • Earnest money amount and who will be the holder

    • Inspection rights and possible repair allowances

    • Method of conveying the title and who will handle the closing

    • Appliances and furnishings that will stay with the home

    • Settlement date

    • Contingencies

    • At this point, you have three options: accept the contract as is, accept it with changes (a counteroffer), or reject it. Remember: Once both parties have signed a written offer, the document becomes legally binding.

  6. Negotiate to sell. Most offers to purchase your home will require some negotiating to come to a win-win agreement. Every offer is unique. Always negotiate in good faith. I am well versed on the intricacies of the contracts used in Georgia and will protect your best interest throughout the bargaining. I also know what each contract clause means, what you will net from the sale and what areas are easiest to negotiate. Some negotiable items:

    • Price

    • Financing

    • Closing costs

    • Repairs

    • Appliances and fixtures

    • Landscaping

    • Painting

    • Move-in date 

  7. Prepare to close. Once you accept an offer to sell your house, you will need to make a list of all the things you and your buyer must do before closing. The property may need to be formally appraised, surveyed, inspected, or repaired. I will spearhead the effort and serve as your advocate when dealing with the buyer’s agent and service providers. If each procedure returns acceptable results as defined by the contract, then the sale may continue. If there are problems with the home, the terms set forth in the contract will dictate your next step. You or the buyer may decide to walk away, open a new round of negotiations, or proceed to close. Important reminder: A few days before the closing, you will want to contact the Attorney's office that is closing the transaction and make sure the necessary documents will be ready to sign on the appropriate date. I will request a closing settlement statement from the attorney and we will go over it together to make sure all of the debits and credits are correct. Begin to make arrangements for your upcoming move if you have not done so. Make a “to-do” list for turning the property over to the new owners. Here is a checklist to get you started:​

    • Schedule a final cleaning after your items are out of the house.

    • Have the yard mowed a couple of days before closing

    • Cancel electricity, water, gas, lawn care, cable, and other routine services.

    • If the new owner is retaining any of the services, ensure names have been changed on the account.

    • Gather owner’s manuals and warranties for all conveying appliances. 

    • A final walkthrough will be scheduled just prior to closing to make sure everything has been completed and we are ready to close

  8. Close the deal. “Closing” refers to the meeting where ownership of the property is legally transferred to the buyer. I will be present during the closing to guide you through the process and make sure everything goes as planned. By being present during the closing, I can mediate any last-minute issues that may arise.

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