THE HOME SELLING PROCESS

HOME WALKTHROUGH

First, we’ll schedule a comprehensive walkthrough of your home. During this visit, I’ll offer tailored recommendations for staging, decluttering, and minor repairs that can enhance the overall appeal and market value of your home. We’ll discuss how to create the best first impression and highlight your home’s strengths.

STAGING RECOMMENDATIONS

While we’ll cover basic staging together, in some cases, I may recommend hiring a professional staging company. A little extra effort can really pay off, helping buyers envision themselves in the space and allowing your home to stand out in today’s competitive market.

THE "Bare Minimum" CHECKLIST

Preparing your home might seem like a lot of work, but it’s all about making sure your home shines. A few simple updates and strategic steps can make a huge difference in the sale price. Below, I’ve compiled my “Bare Minimum Checklist”—the essential items you should complete before we schedule professional photos and get your listing live.

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY:  First impressions matter! High-quality photos will showcase your home’s best features, making it stand out online and in print.

VIDEO WALKTHROUGH:  A virtual tour is an incredible way to allow potential buyers to explore your home online before scheduling an in-person showing. It’s like a personal tour they can take any time, day or night.

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING:  I’ll utilize popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to post captivating images, videos, and listings to attract local buyers and beyond. Social media allows me to tap into a wide audience of potential buyers.

PROPERTY WEBPAGE:  Every listing I take gets its own dedicated webpage with photos, video, property details, and more—providing easy access to all the information potential buyers need.

ONLINE LISTINGS:   Your home will be featured on major real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and the local MLS, maximizing exposure to a wide audience of buyers actively searching for their next home.

EMAIL MARKETING:   I’ll send emails to a curated list of local agents, ensuring your home is top-of-mind for those actively searching.

OPEN HOUSES & PRIVATE SHOWINGS:  Hosting open houses and scheduling individual showings allows potential buyers to experience your home in person. Whether it’s a casual weekend open house or a private showing, I’ll handle the details to ensure the best possible experience.

DIRECT MAIL MARKETING:  Sometimes reaching potential buyers in your neighborhood is just the key! I use direct mail pieces such as postcards to advertise your listing.

STAGING CONSULTATION:   For homes that need that extra “wow” factor, I offer a professional staging consultation to ensure your home is perfectly arranged and styled for buyers.

This list is just a preview of what I will do to market your home, but rest assured that I’m always ready to go above and beyond, utilizing the latest tools and strategies to get your home the attention it deserves. Let’s work together to make sure your home stands out in today’s market!

HOW YOUR SHOWINGS WILL BE SCHEDULED:  Once your home is officially on the market, it’s time to begin scheduling showings. We’ll use Broker Bay to handle all showing requests. Broker Bay offers a seamless way to schedule and manage showings, and it allows you to choose your preferred communication method: text, email, or phone call. When an agent requests a showing, you’ll receive a notification to confirm, decline, or suggest a new time. I’ll also be notified of any changes or confirmations.

After each showing, Broker Bay will automatically send a feedback request to the showing agent. This feedback will be shared with you, and we can even customize the questions asked. This helps us understand how the property is being perceived by potential buyers and whether we need to make any adjustments.

WHAT TO DO WHILE YOUR HOME IS BEING SHOWN?

In the current market, showings can be sporadic, so when one does happen, it’s important to be flexible and accommodating. Having your home "show-ready" is key to making a great impression. When you leave for a showing, try to avoid sitting outside in your car—buyers want to feel comfortable viewing the property, and we want to make sure they have uninterrupted access to experience it.

Remember, the more flexible you are with showing times, the greater the chance that potential buyers will be able to visit and fall in love with your home.

TO DO LIST:

To ensure your home makes the best impression during every showing, it’s important to have everything in tip-top shape before you head out. Here’s a checklist to help you get the house ready:

- Turn All Lights ON (including lamps)

- Put Toilet Lids DOWN

- Open All Curtains & Halfway Open Blinds

- Move All Pet Items (including food/water bowls and toys) to the garage

- Move Trash Cans to the garage

- Make All Beds

- Hide Kitchen Knives

- Clean Kitchen Counters

- Clean Bathroom Counters

- Remove Dishes from the Sink

- Remove All Laundry Baskets

HOME INSPECTION:  After the contract is signed, the Buyer will typically schedule a home inspection. This inspection is the Buyer’s expense and takes approximately 2-3 hours depending on the size of the home. You should not need to be at the property during this time.

TERMITE INSPECTION:  The Buyer will also arrange for a termite inspection, which is another cost they’ll incur. This inspection generally takes about an hour, and like the home inspection, you should plan to be absent during this process.

APPRAISAL:  If the Buyer is financing the purchase, the lender will likely require an appraisal of the property to confirm its value. The Buyer will pay for the appraisal, which typically takes no more than an hour. You should not be present during the appraisal, but make sure the property is accessible.

REPAIRS:  It’s common for the Buyer to request repairs after the inspection. While this can feel overwhelming, don’t worry—we’ve got it covered. I’ll handle all of the repair negotiations for you, ensuring everything is addressed in the most efficient way possible. We’ll work together to determine which repairs make sense and how best to address them, so you don’t have to stress about managing contractors or dealing with the logistics. My goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.

FINAL WALK-THROUGH:  Before closing, the Buyer will perform a final walk-through of the property, usually the week of closing. This gives them the opportunity to inspect any repairs or replacements and ensure everything is in order. You should not be present during this walk-through.

CLOSING:  Closing usually occurs at your closing attorney's office the day before the official closing date. Plan to be there for about an hour. Make sure to bring your driver’s license or another valid form of identification. After signing all necessary documents, you’ll receive copies for your records. If you’re receiving funds from the sale, the money will typically be available the following day.

Once your home is officially sold, there are a few important tasks to complete to ensure a smooth transition to your new home. Here is a quick checklist to guide you through the process.

SUBMIT A CHANGE OF ADDRESS:  To ensure your mail is forwarded to your new home, visit USPS.com and fill out a change of address form. This will help prevent any important mail from getting lost.

UPDATE SHIPPING ADDRESS:  If you regularly order items online, don’t forget to update your shipping address on each website or retailer. This will help avoid any deliveries going to your old address.

DISCONNECT UTILITIES:  I recommend disconnecting all utilities (electric, water, gas, cable, internet, etc.) the day after closing. This ensures that you’re not charged for services after you’ve moved out. If you're moving locally, you may want to transfer utilities to your new address instead of disconnecting them.

By taking care of these few things after closing, you'll be able to enjoy your new home without any hassle. If you need help with anything else during the moving process, feel free to reach out. I'm here to help!