Home Selling

Helpful Sellers Information

So you are thinking about Home Selling. Before you do anything else it’s a good idea to sit down and clarify your motivations and draw up a basic time frame for the selling process. It is always best before you spend too much time considering selling your property, to contact a Realtor. A Realtor can sit with you and help in the process by providing useful facts and information, that will not only save you time, but money as well.

Among the questions you will need to ask yourself, one question is, Why do you want to Sell?
Why do you want to sell your house? Do you intend to simply find a larger home, or do you plan on moving to another neighborhood, school district, city or state? You might think your reasons are obvious, but you should take some time and consider all the implications of each option for your family’s lifestyle, opportunities and finances. Being clear about your intentions for selling will make it easier for us to determine the most appropriate option for your specified financial, lifestyle and real estate goals. You may also feel that you need to sell due to financial situations that have recently changed. There may be more options available to you than you think. That is why it is always best to consult a Realtor before you decide what to do.

When Should I Sell?
You should immediately establish your time frame for selling. If you need to sell quickly, you can speed up the process by hiring an experienced agent and utilizing aggressive selling strategies. If there’s no pressing need to sell immediately, you can sit down with an expert agent to thoroughly review the current market conditions and find the most favorable time and terms to sell.

What’s The Market Like?
When you work with us, you can be sure that you’ll have a complete understanding of all the knowledge, expertise and negotiating skills we will be using to work for you, to arrive at the best market prices and terms. We will keep you up-to-date on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and conditions of competing properties. With us, you’ll know exactly how to price and when to sell your home, to get the most money for the time frame that works for you.

How Do I Optimize My Finances?
Deciding to sell your current home requires serious consideration of your current financial situation and future possibilities. With the help of a qualified agent, you’ll be able to effectively assess the cumulative impact of these changes, estimate potential proceeds of selling your home, and plan effective tax savings and estate planning strategies. We will help ensure that you not only take control of your finances, but use them to their fullest potential.

For more information and for any additional questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Selecting a Realtor

There are many good reasons why you should choose us to assist you in the important undertaking of selling your home. We will work to ensure that you maximize your opportunities in the current real estate market. With our understanding of everything that is needed to make your home visible, to the most potential buyers, you can be assured, that We will employ the most effective marketing and advertising strategies for your property.

Successful marketing produces offers, and we all know offers require negotiation. Negotiation in real estate transactions does not begin and end at price. In fact, there are several different times negotiation and re negotiations are required to insure a transaction makes it to Close of Escrow. It is at these times, having an experience Realtor, with a full understanding of how changes in the terms of your contract, can and will effect you and your financial position can save you thousands, and even the difference between selling and not selling your home.

We will also guide you through the complicated paperwork involved, from the initial agreement to the final documents. We will make sure you are continually informed of your risks and rewards throughout the entire transaction process. Knowing and understanding the various aspects of your transaction, along with making the decisions best for you, insures you can complete your transaction with confidence.

What To Look For In An Agent

Here are a couple of factors to keep in mind when looking for a listing agent:

1.Experience and Expertise. You want a full-time agent who’s familiar with your area and with the type of property you intend to sell. Does he or she employ a diverse range of marketing and advertising strategies? How tech-savvy is your agent? How many similar properties has he/she been able to sell in the past?

2.Availability and Commitment. Your agent should be capable of prompt and decisive action during the course of selling your home. Does he/she make it a point to keep in touch with you constantly? Can he/she easily be contacted in case of emergencies or even for the simplest questions?

3.Rapport. Does he/she take the time out to listen to your goals and clarify your needs? Can they understand your unique situation and be genuinely concerned about the outcome of the process? Your listing agent will be your guide and partner in this crucial decision, so it’s important to find one you can get along with.

4.Team. Remember this is a team effort consisting of the Listing agent, Selling agent, and YOU. Giving your best effort will help ensure your most profitable outcome.

When it comes to Pricing your home to SELL

What Is Your Home Worth? Without a professional agent, most independent home sellers tend to overestimate the value of their home. You can avoid this pitfall by consulting with an experienced Real Estate agent. A great listing agent will help you achieve your pricing objective. We will help you obtain the highest price, in the shortest amount of time, with the least amount of stress, and complications.

Here are a couple items to consider when pricing your property:

1.Consider all factors. Pricing is not as simple as, “What did the neighbors sell their home for; add a little more, and that’s the number”. We all know no two homes are the same. Differences in your homes amenities, location, condition, etc. will impact your sales price.

2.Location, location, location. It’s not only your location in the city that matters; your location in the neighborhood is an important pricing consideration as well.

3.Missing the number can cost you more than you may think. Everyone knows how undervaluing your home can cost you in the end, but over pricing your home can be equally, or more damaging to your goal of obtaining the highest price. An experienced agent will explain the pros and cons of each pricing plan. Once you have a clear understanding of all factors that effect your sales situation and pricing options, you will be able to price your home at a level which best matches your desired outcome.

For more information and for any additional questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Time to get Prepare to Sell

You can do a lot to increase the appeal of your home and create a lasting impact on potential buyers. You need to remember, You only get one time to make a first impression. The first impression is always a lasting impression. When it come to selling your home, believe it!Studies have shown potential buyers make a decision on a homes potential purchase in the first 17 seconds after they enter the home. One thought to keep in mind as you get your home ready to sell, is that it is a place that potential buyers need to be able to imagine their things in, there pictures on the wall, and what it would be like for them to live there. When you have cleaned up, fixed up, and made your home spacious again, and trimmed the landscaping to perfection, and started to think that it looks so good you are not sure you want to sell it, then you are ready to make the most from the sale of your home, and in the least amount of time.

Curb Appeal. Keeping your landscape pristine, and adding creative touches to your yard such as colorful annuals, will create an immediate impact on passers-by and potential buyers. How your home presents its self on the walk to the front door is critical.

House Repairs. Simple upgrades such as window repairs, polishing the doorknobs, and a fresh coat of paint in the most frequently used rooms instantly brighten up your home.

Cleanliness and Staging. Keep your home uncluttered, sweet-smelling and well-lit from top to bottom. Pay attention to details: put away the kitty litter, place a vase of fresh flowers in the hall, pop a batch of cinnamon rolls in the oven, have your carpets cleaned. Let your agent check the house before you accept any potential buyers to see how you can improve the staging further. Remember, the first impression is a lasting impression. The more potential buyers are asked to overlook drawbacks to your home, the more difficult it will be to find the buyer you’re looking for. Small clean up, fix up, shine up efforts will equate to big dividends in your successful home sale.

Disclosures and Inspections. We are very familiar with the legal procedures involved in disclosures and we are ready to help you develop a thorough disclosure statement beneficial to both you and the buyer, as well as suggest home improvement measures before placing your property on the market. Handling disclosure correctly avoids risk for all parties involved.

Showtime. Presenting your home to potential buyers is a job that we will take care of for you. Buyers feel more comfortable discussing the property with the agent if you’re not there. Moreover, your agent will know what information will be most useful in representing your interests when speaking with prospective buyers.

For more information and for any additional questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.

The buyers have been coming, and its time to Accept an Offer

The Price Isn’t Always Right. “The higher the price, the better the offer.” Don’t let yourself be fooled by this popular misconception. Price isn’t always the determining factor in choosing among multiple offers, for several important reasons: the initial offer is never final, and there are a number of terms and conditions that may influence the final outcome of a price. We will help you thoroughly evaluate every proposal without compromising your marketing position.

Negotiating The Right Way. We take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms very seriously. It’s our job to find a win-win agreement that’s beneficial to all parties involved. Oftentimes you will have to deal with multiple offers before ratifying the one you judge to be the most suitable for you – and as your agent we will provide a thorough and objective assessment of these offers to help you make the right choice for you.

Escrow: The Initial Agreement and Deposit. An escrow is a legal arrangement whereby an asset (such as a home buyer’s initial deposit) is delivered to a third party (an escrow holder) to be held in trust pending the fulfillment of conditions or contingencies in a contract. Incorporated in the offer, the home seller and buyer will agree upon the amount for the good faith deposit and determine the escrow company. This reflects the buyer’s intention to purchase your property and ensures that no funds or property will change hands until all instructions in the transaction are followed.

Escrow Inspections and Appraisal

Your escrow began when you accepted a buyer’s purchase offer and earnest money deposit. What follows is the inspection and appraisal of your home and the loan origination process.

The Title Company. The buyer in most cases selects a title company, whose job it is to examine and insure title to real estate. After researching the complete recorded history of your property, they’ll certify that 1.) your title is free and clear of encumbrances (eg. mortgages, leases, or restrictions) by the date of closing, and 2.) all new encumbrances if any are duly included in the title. They’ll draw up a preliminary report at the end of the process, which they will go over with you in detail at signing.

Contingencies. A contingency is a condition that must be met before a contract becomes legally binding. For instance, a home buyer will usually include a contingency stating that their contract is binding only when there is a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified inspector.

Before completing his or her purchase of your property, the home buyer goes over every aspect of the property, as provided for by purchase agreements. These include:

Obtaining financing and insurance,
Reviewing all pertinent documents, such as preliminary title reports and disclosure documents, and
Inspecting the property. The buyer has the right to determine the condition of your property by subjecting it to a wide range of inspections, such as roof, termite/pest, chimney/fireplace, property boundary survey, well, septic, pool/spa, mold, etc..
Prior to the conclusion of the inspection period the Buyers agent will prepare a “Repair Request”. Once we receive the request, we will review and discuss to make the response which is best for you and your situation. This is when a professional listing agent can make a real difference in the outcome and success of the transaction.

Loan Approval and Appraisal. Potential buyers will submit an Loan Status Report, or LSR, pre-approval letter with their offer, which is a better guarantee of loan approval than a pre-qualification. Expect an appraiser from the lender’s company to review your property and verify that the sales price is appropriate. The appraiser is hired by the lender. In most cases the lender provides the largest amount of funding to complete the transaction. The lender relies on the appraiser to determine value in the event the buyer defaults during the life of the loan.

The Next Step: Buying Your Next Home

Now that the transaction on your Arizona home is well on its way to a successful close, it’s time to start preparing for your next home.

In most cases, sellers think about where their going to move to, long before thinking of all that is required to sell their current property. Now that you have a good idea of your financial position after the successful close on your current home, we can move forward. If we have selected your future dream home, we can begin negotiating the purchase. Or if you waited because you were uncertain of how your sale would go, we can now begin.

For more information and for any additional questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Close of Escrow

If you’ve come this far, then this means only one thing: congratulations, you’ve successfully sold your home! Don’t forget to tie up these loose ends:

Final Walk-Through Inspection. More of a formality than anything else, the final inspection takes place a few days before the transaction is closed. The buyer visits your property to verify that all is in working order.All agreed to repairs have been completed and the property is set to change hands.

Cancel Home Services and Utilities. We’ll provide a list of useful numbers for the termination of home services and utilities as of the date of the close of escrow. Remember all utilities, (Electric, Water, Gas) will need to remain connected through the end of the date of close.

Be Prepared. we will be are ready to assist you should any unforeseen glitch pop up, even at this last stage. Something at the house breaks down, the buyers’ loan doesn’t pull through on time – no need to worry. We’ve encountered these problems before, so we know how to handle these problems efficiently, for you as well.

Close of Escrow. The title company furnishes the principals with a closing statement, which summarizes all the financial transactions enacted in the process. A few days before the set closing date, you’ll sign the final documents for the title company. They’ll record the transaction for you and the buyer at the County Recorder’s Office on the day of closing. The property does not close in Arizona on the day of signing; it closes on the date of recording, and fund transfer. Once recording is complete and closed, that is when you will finally receive your proceeds, and the buyer will become the new owner.

Keys. we will arrange the delivery of your keys to your buyer once the deed has been recorded at the County Assessor’s Office.

For more information and for any additional questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.

We hope that the previous information was helpful to you. We want to remind you that nothing beats talking face to face with a Realtor about all your thoughts and concerns, when it comes to selling, buying, or investing in real estate. Schedule an appointment today, and we will help you to have a better understanding of all that is possible. If you would like to read more articles on the subject of Home Selling, we have provided more HERE.