hings You Should Know

elling Your Home

Finding a real estate professional to guide you through the process can save time and make the transaction easier.

After selecting the agent you are comfortable with, you will be asked specific questions about your home and the agent will complete a home market analysis, informing you of what homes have recently sold for in your area that are similar to yours and what homes are currently listed on the market for and will explain what services you will be afforded should when you list your property, such as advertising, feedback, etc.

Once you have listed your home you will be required to provide information regarding the condition of the property being listed, asked to sign disclosures regarding presence of lead-based paint, radon in the home, agricultural and electric/utility service, as well as whether you would like to purchase a home warranty…

If agreed upon, your property will be inputted into a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) website for all to access, which will increase the opportunity for you to sell your home quickly and get the best possible offer.

When an offer is received on your home, there are three options: accept, reject or make a counter offer. Often, the rule of thumb is that the first offer is the best offer. A skilled negotiator will separate the serious buyer from the not so serious ones and will explain what opportunities they see that you might miss in a favorable deal.

Some considerations that should be inclusive of your offer are:

What fixtures, appliances and personal property are to be included in the sale of your home

That your deposit (i.e., escrow or earnest monies) is to be refunded and the sale cancelled if you are unable to obtain acceptable financing for the home within a specified period of time.

That you would like to have inspections done as outlined in the offer, be it a full home inspection, radon/lead-based paint/mold testing, pest inspection, etc.) and that the contract is subject to your satisfaction of the results on the report.
That there is certification that the house is structurally sound and that plumbing, heating and electrical systems, as well as any appliances being left, are in good working condition.
That the property will be left in broom clean condition, free of refuse and debris of any kind, with nothing left behind except what has been stated in the offer before you take possession.
How negotiable costs will be divided such as prepaids for taxes, assessment premiums and interest on assumed mortgages are to be divided between buyer and seller as of the settlement date, title search, property survey, building inspection, abstract updates and title.

In addition to the above, before you sell a home, make sure your offer contains the price of the home, the method of payment, the time you want to release the property and any other requirements. Once the agreement to sell is signed by both parties it becomes a legally binding contract. At the closing, all final documents securing the mortgage will be signed, the buyer will pay the seller and then be given possession of the new home!