When it comes time to sell your home, it may seem like a daunting task. You may wonder if you're taking the proper steps, or even if you're getting the best possible price for your listing. In this Ask the Experts video, experienced Lewith & Freeman agents Rhea Simms, Emma Simms Kluger, and Sally Rothstein go over the 9 steps to selling your home.
The 9 Steps to Selling Your Home
1. Choose a Realtor
Once you have made the decision to list your home for sale, you should first and foremost choose a real estate agent to work with. To find the perfect realtor, he or she should be experienced, knowledgeable of the real estate market, and working with a reputable real estate company with knowledge of print, digital, and social media marketing.
When you work with Lewith & Freeman, all of our agents are experienced professionals with access to modern resources that will help you sell your home quickly. You can learn more about why you should list with us here.
2. Review Your Property
With the help of your realtor, you will go into step two, which involves reviewing the pricing, marketing, and service for your property. At this point, your agent will also help you sign the listing contract.
3. Staging
The third step to selling your home is staging and preparing your home for showings. Your real estate agent will inform you of anything you need to do for showing your home.
Staging involves showing your home in its best light to appeal to potential buyers. Most real estate experts agree that the kitchen, master bedroom, and bathroom are the most important rooms to stage when it comes time to show your home.
4. On the Market
Now that your home is prepared for showings, your agent gets to work! Your home is now formally on the market through print, digital, social, and SEO exposure, including the MLS and national network.
5. Sale's Contract
Real estate showings lead to offers. Offers, in turn, lead to a sale’s contract. Your realtor will help you review the sales contract so that you understand the important points. They will also help you to negotiate a contract.
6. Inspections
The sixth step to selling your home is the inspection phase. The buyer will hire a certified inspector to do an inspection on the home. Your real estate agent will guide you through any issues that might arise as a result of those inspections.
7. Appraisal Process
When you have a buyer with a serious interest in your home and has had it inspected, you will go into the appraisal stage. The lender will assign an appraiser to come and view your home. Once the appraisal is complete, the buyer will receive mortgage commitment.
8. Closing Process
Your realtor and title company will guide you through the closing process, which includes deed preparation and utility transfers. You can learn more about who handles the closing of a home here.
9. Sold!
Once you have gone through the closing process, it's time to pack up your home and get that moving truck! You are now ready for the buyer to come in for a walk through. Your home should be clean and ready for the buyer. At the closing, you will receive the proceeds of the sale, the buyer will receive the keys to the house, and Lewith & Freeman will have sold your home.
You can check out the rest of our Ask the Experts series here!
