Information for Sellers
Introduction
Perhaps you’re considering selling your home. Perhaps it hasn’t even crossed your mind yet. Either way, as a homeowner, it’s important to understand what can impact the sale of your home.
The local Santa Barbara real estate market is constantly evolving. Appreciating and depreciating markets have a huge impact on how much you can successfully get for your home. Understanding these concepts and creating a true perception of value is what will end up netting you the most money possible and get your home sold the fastest. In addition, having a Realtor that has strong negotiation skills can often net you up to 20% more for your home!
On this page, you will find general information to help in the process of selling your home including: preparing your home for sale, what the process involves, and tips to help your home be most appealing to all potential buyers.
If, at any time, you have questions or just want to talk to me for ideas, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. I’m here to help!
Curious what your Santa Barbara area home is worth? Click below to find out!
The Process
Selling your home, or any real estate, is an exciting adventure! As your chosen real estate professional, I am here to make sure this adventure runs smoothly and stays focused on your needs. With that in mind, it is important for you to understand the process of selling a home. Below is a simplification of the steps involved:
- Home Selling Documentation
- MLS Listing Information
- Prepare the Home for Sale/Photograph
- Determine the Appropriate Listing Price
- Comprehensive Marketing Program
- Broker’s Caravan
- Open Houses
- Additional Showings/ Reviewing Activity
- Reviewing Offers/Revisiting Price
- Accepting Offer/Negotiating Terms
- Home Inspections/Disclosures
- Release of Contingencies
- Final Document Signing
- Loan Funding
- Close of Escrow/Transfer of Property
The Importance of Paperwork
Throughout the transaction, we’ll be asking for your signature and input on many important forms. These forms have been compiled by the National Association of Realtors and the California Association of Realtors to protect your interests as a home seller. It’s important for a new buyer to understand exactly what they are buying, which is accomplished by you, as the seller, disclosing everything you know about the property. As your realtor, I will gladly explain the significance of each of these forms and will monitor the documentation to be sure all necessary signatures are obtained.
Preparing Your Home For Sale
Prior to putting your home on the market, it’s important to be sure you’ve done everything you can to make the home the most attractive to potential buyers. This way, the home will be more likely to sell faster at a higher price with the most convenience to you. Potential buyers will get the best impression if your home is clean, neat, uncluttered, in good repair, light, airy, fragrant and quiet. We’ll discuss our recommendations and work with you to determine what you can do to create the best possible presentation. Following are some general tips:
- Clean everything
- De-clutter your home
- Fix anything that is broken
- Make sure entry way and front door are clean and inviting
- Paint and clean or replace carpets
- Groom the landscaping
- Look at model homes and copy them
Other, more expensive improvements may be considered dependent on the return on investment and your goals. We can discuss ideas and options during a walk through of your home.
Partners In Selling
It is also important to identify solid professionals to participate in the sale of your home. Some you might need are:
- Escrow Officer
- Title Company
- Appraiser
- Home Inspector
- Pest Inspection Company
- Stager
- Floorplan Artist
- Professional Photographer
- One Good Buyer!
Finding the right people is as important as every other step in the home selling process. They contribute to the ease of the sale, and if you choose the wrong people, can’t inhibit a sale. Please check references or ask for referrals. You’ll be glad you did!
For more information, please check out the following pages:
