Selling questions? Get straight answers that move your home faster!
1
Manage The Showings
A showing and an open house may seem similar, but they’re very different experiences for buyers. A showing is a private tour, scheduled by a buyer’s agent, where clients can take their time walking through your home and asking questions. An open house, on the other hand, is public—the doors are open for any potential buyers to stop by, explore at their own pace, and imagine themselves living there. Both are powerful tools to get eyes on a home!
Getting your home ready to shine is all about first impressions! Your real estate agent will guide you with tips to make sure your home stands out in the market. Preparation usually happens in two phases. First, you’ll want the house picture-perfect for professional photos and videos. Those images will grab buyers’ attention online. Then, before the very first showing, it’s time for those final touches: tidying up, adding a little curb appeal, and setting the stage so buyers can instantly picture themselves living there.
✅ Deep clean the home from top to bottom
✅ Paint some or all areas of the house (get your agent’s advice)
✅ Take care of minor repairs like caulking tubs and windows
✅ Handle major repairs if needed and within budget
✅ Stage furniture to highlight your home’s best features
✅ Declutter every surface and storage space
✅ Reorganize closets and pack away excess items
✅ Eliminate odors (clean the fireplace, remove musty rugs, etc.)
✅ Add pops of color with rugs or pillows to warm up the space
✅ Upgrade lighting or swap bulbs to brighten rooms
✅ Spruce up landscaping for curb appeal
✅ Power-wash decks, patios, and sidewalks if needed
Side Notes:
✅ Leave the house during showings. Buyers feel more comfortable exploring when the owners aren’t there.
✅ Make your home as available as possible. Even if it’s inconvenient at dinner or on weekends, limiting access could mean losing serious buyers.
✅ Pay attention to feedback from buyers and agents, it’s valuable insight that can help make your home even more appealing.
An offer in real estate is a formal proposal from a potential buyer to purchase a property. It spells out the details of the deal, such as the purchase price, financing terms, contingencies (like inspections or appraisal), proposed closing date, and any additional conditions the buyer wants to include. Once presented, the seller can accept, reject, or counter the offer, which begins the negotiation process. The goal is to reach mutually agreeable terms that move both parties closer to a successful closing.
When selling a home, it’s essential to carefully evaluate all aspects of each offer, not just the price. Your real estate agent will guide you through the process, reviewing terms, conditions, and buyer qualifications to help you make an informed decision that best aligns with your goals.
✅ Offer Price: Compare the buyer’s price to the market value and similar homes in your area. A higher offer may look appealing, but balance it against the rest of the terms.
✅ Financing Terms: Check if the buyer is pre-approved, their down payment amount, and loan type (conventional, FHA, VA, etc.). Cash offers are often smoother and quicker to close.
✅ Contingencies: Look at conditions like inspections, appraisals, or the sale of the buyer’s current home. These can affect both the timeline and certainty of the deal.
✅ Closing Timeline: See if the proposed closing date matches your goals. A quicker close may be convenient, but only if it works for both sides.
✅ Earnest Money: Review how much the buyer is putting down as a sign of commitment and seriousness.
✅ Other Terms: Pay attention to extras like repair requests, seller concessions, or unique closing arrangements.
By weighing all these factors, not just the price, you and your agent can identify the offer that best fits your needs and negotiate terms that create a win-win outcome.
When selling a home and receiving multiple offers, it’s essential to work closely with your real estate agent to carefully evaluate each one. By comparing terms, conditions, and buyer qualifications, you can make a well-informed decision that aligns with your goals and maximizes the success of your sale.
✅ Review Each Offer: Look closely at price, financing terms, contingencies, closing timeline, earnest money, buyer qualifications, and any other conditions.
✅ Consider Strengths and Weaknesses: A high price is tempting, but a cash offer or one with fewer contingencies could be stronger overall.
✅ Communicate Clearly: Keep buyers and their agents informed. If you have multiple offers, set a clear deadline for their best and final terms.
✅ Negotiate: If one offer is close but not quite there, negotiate! You might be able to improve the price, reduce contingencies, or speed up closing.
✅ Choose the Best Offer: Select the offer that aligns with your goals. The best choice isn’t always the highest dollar amount, it’s the offer that provides the strongest overall package and the smoothest path to closing.
2
Review all Offers
3
Prepare For The Home Inspection
A home inspection is essentially a check-up for the property. A licensed inspector will carefully review the home’s major systems, appliances, and structure, then provide a detailed report identifying potential issues and outlining future maintenance needs.
For buyers, this report offers options:
✅ Walk away if serious concerns arise
✅ Request repairs or negotiate solutions with the seller
✅ Proceed with an “information only” inspection to buy the home as-is, while fully understanding its condition
For sellers, it’s important to remember that no home, unless it’s brand new, is perfect. The inspection is designed to flag significant concerns, not minor cosmetic items. Overreacting to small issues or treating the report as a repair checklist can derail negotiations unnecessarily.
During a standard home inspection, the inspector will examine:
✅ Foundation and structural integrity
✅ Roof and gutters
✅ Heating and cooling systems
✅ Plumbing and electrical systems
✅ Appliances and interior components
✅ Signs of deferred maintenance, health or safety issues, and habitability concerns
A typical home inspection takes about 2–4 hours, depending on the size and condition of the property. When handled with balance and professionalism, the inspection is more than just a checklist, it’s a powerful tool. For buyers, it provides peace of mind and the knowledge needed to make informed decisions. For sellers, it’s a chance to show transparency, build trust, and demonstrate confidence in their home.
Before the home inspector arrives, sellers should:
✅ Make sure all fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working
✅ Clean and declutter to show the home in its best light
✅ Remove or safely crate pets during the inspection
✅ Replace any burned-out light bulbs so every room is bright
✅ Empty the washer, dryer, oven, and dishwasher for inspection access
✅ Ensure access to all areas: attic, crawlspace, garage, and sheds
✅ Leave a note if something isn’t working and explain if repairs are in progress
✅ Provide documents for recent maintenance and repairs
✅ Leave your cell phone number for the inspector in case of questions
✅ Leave the house so the inspector can work without interruption
Once the inspection report has been completed and delivered, you will review the findings with your real estate agent to determine how best to proceed. As the seller, you have several options: negotiate with the buyers to make repairs or replacements, offer a credit or funds for the buyers to address the issue themselves, or provide documentation if the item has already been repaired or scheduled for replacement. Your real estate agent will guide you through this process, helping you evaluate the requests and respond in a way that keeps the transaction moving forward.
A home appraisal is an impartial evaluation of a property’s value, conducted by a licensed or certified appraiser. This assessment considers multiple factors, such as the home’s condition, location, and recent comparable sales, to determine its fair market value. The primary purpose of an appraisal is to ensure that both the buyer and the lender are paying a reasonable price for the property. If the appraised value comes in lower than the agreed-upon contract price, the seller may choose not to reduce the price to match, which can lead to further negotiations between both parties.
Appraisers use a variety of measurable factors to determine a property’s value, including:
✅ General condition of the home
✅ Location of the home
✅ Age of the home
✅ Exterior condition and curb appeal
✅ Overall design and functionality
✅ Evidence of water damage
✅ Size of the home (square footage and layout)
✅ Interior condition and features
✅ Documented home improvements or upgrades
✅ Signs of deferred maintenance
✅ Safety issues
In addition, appraisers research comparable sales within approximately a 1-mile radius, along with neighborhood values of similar properties, to ensure an accurate and fair market valuation.
Preparing for a home appraisal can help present your property in the best light and may positively influence the appraised value. Here are some key steps:
✅ Clean and Declutter – Keep the home neat, organized, and free of clutter inside and out. A well-maintained space leaves a strong impression.
✅ Complete Repairs – Fix leaky faucets, patch damaged walls, address roof issues, and resolve any visible defects before the appraisal.
✅ Enhance Curb Appeal – Trim landscaping, mow the lawn, refresh paint, clean walkways, and ensure the exterior looks inviting.
✅ Provide Access – Ensure the appraiser can easily access all areas, including attics, basements, garages, and outbuildings.
✅ Compile Documentation – Prepare records of renovations, upgrades, permits, surveys, floor plans, and a list of property features.
✅ Highlight Features – Showcase unique upgrades such as energy-efficient improvements, new appliances, smart home technology, or remodeled spaces.
✅ Provide Comparable Sales Data – Share recent comparable sales that support your home’s value, but present them professionally and without pressure.
✅ Be Professional and Courteous – Greet the appraiser politely, answer questions, and allow them the time and space to complete their work.
By taking these steps, sellers can help create a positive impression and support the most favorable valuation of their property.
When buying a property, an appraisal is often required to confirm its fair market value. If the appraised value comes in lower than the agreed-upon contract price, it may trigger renegotiation. Since the appraised value sets the maximum amount a lender will finance (minus the buyer’s down payment), both parties must consider next steps. Depending on how the contract was written, possible options include:
✅ Asking the buyer to bring additional cash to cover the gap between the contract price and the appraised value
✅ Reducing the sales price to match the appraised value
✅ Splitting the difference with the buyer
✅ Canceling the contract
Your real estate agent will guide you through these options and help determine the best course of action.
4
Prepare For The Appraisal
5
Close The Deal
Before the big day arrives (aka Closing Day), here’s your prep list to keep everything on track:
✅ Provide all receipts and invoices for any required repairs.
✅ Gather appliance manuals and warranties (if required).
✅ Hire a mover and confirm your moving date.
✅ Cancel utilities effective the day after you move.
✅ Update and change your address.
✅ Review your settlement document carefully.
✅ Clean the house thoroughly and remove all debris.
✅ Get the home ready for the buyers’ final walk-through.
Closing day is the finish line for your home sale, and the moment you officially hand the keys to the buyer. Here’s what to expect:
✅ Location & Timing : Most closings happen at the title company and typically take about 45 minutes to an hour.
✅ Final Paperwork: You’ll sign key documents, including the deed, settlement statement, and tax forms. If you have a mortgage, your payoff will be calculated and paid from your proceeds.
✅ Settlement of Costs: Seller expenses like real estate commissions, prorated property taxes, and HOA dues are deducted directly from your sale proceeds.
✅ Funds Distribution: After deductions, you’ll receive your net proceeds (usually via wire transfer or check).
✅ Buyer’s Final Walk-Through: Before closing, buyers complete a walk-through to confirm the home is in agreed-upon condition.
✅ Handoff of Essentials: You’ll provide the buyer with house keys, garage remotes, alarm codes, mailbox info, and any warranties or manuals.
✅ In-Person vs. Remote: While sellers sometimes close remotely, in-person closings are the smoothest way to avoid delays or extra requirements (like power of attorney).
At the end of it all, you leave the table with your sale complete, your obligations settled, and your proceeds in hand ready for your next chapter.
After closing, sellers still have a few loose ends to tie up. Wrapping up these details ensures a clean break and a smooth transition.
✅ Cancel Homeowner’s Insurance – Contact your insurance company to end your policy once the property officially transfers. (If you’re buying another home, you may be able to transfer coverage.)
✅ Cancel Utilities – Verify all utilities (electric, gas, water, trash, internet, etc.) are stopped or transferred as of the closing/move-out date.
✅ Forward Your Mail – Update your mailing address with USPS, banks, credit cards, subscriptions, and important accounts.
✅ Update Accounts & Services – Change your address on driver’s license, voter registration, employer records, medical providers, and financial institutions.
✅ Cancel or Transfer HOA Membership – Notify your homeowners association (if applicable) to terminate or transfer your membership.
✅ File Final Tax Documents – Keep your closing documents handy for tax purposes (capital gains, deductions, etc.).
✅ Remove Any Automatic Payments – Cancel auto-payments linked to the old property (utilities, services, HOA dues).
✅ Keep a Copy of Closing Documents – Store your settlement statement and deed for future reference or tax filing.
✅ Plan Next Steps – Whether buying your next home, renting, or relocating, organize finances and moving details to transition smoothly.