Austin Texas Native Realty

10 Steps To Selling A Home

Selling your home is a big event in someone's life as you see your home as more than a financial asset.  Your home often represents big moments in your life as well as a life time of memories.  I understand that. To make the selling process easier, I have put together 10 steps to selling your home.

 1.     The Appointment

I will visit your home to provide an initial consultation to look over the lay of the land and make a valuation relative to the real estate market.  I will focus on three main factors:

• Listing Price

• Condition of your home

• Marketing Approach

After these three areas have been discussed, we will have put a plan of action for selling your home.

 2.     The Price

Most homeowners have a relatively good idea of their home's value. They get fliers in the mail, look at nearby home sales, view properties online and even attend open houses. However when it comes time to sell your home, you need to think about your home's market value. The market value is what a buyer is willing to pay on the open market. To give you a better idea, I will provide comparables through a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). Even if you are months or years away from selling, having an agent over early on engages you in the process and allows you to start gathering information. 

           3.     The Make Ready

During this time, we will work together to get your home ready to sell.  In most cases, you will have some work to do to sell your home.  I will provide ideas for home improvements to consider from major to minor items such as a kitchen remodel to general landscaping. Additionally, you will need to know yours home overall condition. You will complete a seller’s disclosure form and locate your home’s survey along with a notarized T 47 form.  If your home is located with the Austin City Limits, the city requires an energy audit to be conducted that is furnished to the buyer. All of these items take time to get together.  I will be here to help you through the process.   

            4.     The Marketing

We will discuss a marketing plan for your home that you are comfortable with.  I can provide marketing materials and events such as holding open houses, sending email flyers to potential buyers and other realtors, sending postcards throughout the neighborhood, posting information online on platforms such as the Multiple Listing Services (MLS), Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow, Redfin, Facebook, and many more. 

            5.     The Showings

In your initial listing appointment we will discuss when you would like to show your home to potential buyers. When your home is shown be sure to create a mood such as playing soft music or placing wine glasses on a nearby table. Another useful hint is to make sure every light in the house is on including appliance and closet lights as well as open up every window blinds in each room.  I will also request feedback from every showing with an emphasize on the pros and cons of your home.  The showing feedback you will receive will be invaluable.   

             6.     The Offer & The Negotiation

Once your home is on the market, you will receive an offer from the potential buyers. Once the offer is received, both yourself, the seller and the buyer negotiate the terms of the sales contract with the assistance of your Realtor.  There are many terms that can be negotiated such as the contract's closing date, amount of earnest money, length of option period, and financing terms. I will serve as your adviser during the negotiation process as you and the buyer may go back and forth on the terms of the contract. Once we have reached an agreement that both parties are comfortable with, the contract is executed and you are officially in escrow.

            7.     The Inspection

A home inspection is concluded either prior to listing and paid for by you, the seller or is paid for by the buyer during the option period once under contract.  A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of your home by a licensed home inspector. The inspector prepares and delivers to the client a written report of the findings to the buyer.  In a standard report the inspector will look at the structural, electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems as well as the major appliances.  In this part of the process, I will serve as your advisor in negotiating repairs between the buyer and yourself, the seller.

            8.     The Escrow

The escrow or contract to close refers to what happens once the sales contract has been signed by both parties all the way to closing and funding.  During the escrow process there are several key points that are not limited to the following: review of the title commitment, coordinate inspections, write up any amendments, assure receipt of HOA documents, secure home owner's insurance and assure that all parties have the most accuracy contract and needed forms. 

            9.     The Move

Generally, you will be moving towards the end of the contract to close and let's face it, moving sucks.  There is no way around it but there are ways to make it less stressful and more tolerable. Start packing ahead of schedule to give yourself plenty of time to hire a moving company and pack your belonging while labeling everything.

           10.     The closing! Congratulations...we made it!

In a normal situation, you will get the keys at closing which takes roughly an hour.  In most cases, the lender will need time to fund the loan and you will need to pick up the keys after the loan has been funded.  Congratulations!