Seller's Guide
Let's Begin a Conversation
You’re ready to sell your home, and we’re grateful to work with you!
When you want to sell, our first step is to study the current market, location, property improvements, time of year, market inventory, market history, and add our local understanding. Our approach centers around creative strategies, rapid response, careful communication, art and science, buyer targeted staging, effective pricing, and market strategies.
- Working with Real Estate Agents Brochure:
This brochure is required by North Carolina Law and provides information on agency relationships. It is not a contract but must be reviewed and acknowledged before we sign the listing agreement and begin the home selling process. This brochure prompts good discussion and sets the groundwork for the Listing Agreement exchange. You will not share anything confidential until this document is reviewed!
- Sample Documents:
We will share the outline of the selling process, including sharing a sample copy of a current Offer to Purchase. You will learn the general outline of the selling contract so you will know how to prepare for the process.
Paperwork is due at the time of the listing. You will sign the Working with Real Estates Agent Brochure and Listing Agreement (after terms are discussed), and complete all disclosures. We will ask specific questions about the home so that we can properly represent the property.
In terms of disclosures, North Carolina is a “Buyer Beware” state, but the trend is definitely towards disclosure. However, as licensed North Carolina real estate agents and North Carolina REALTORS, we must disclose all that we know or should reasonably know in regards to any material facts about the property.
We encourage transparency and disclosure. An attorney would be the best resource should you have any questions or concerns about this.
Price Your Home
We’re going to make a suggested list price or list price range based on comps, market trends, inventory on the market, etc.
You’re the decision maker! Our agents simply give you the best recommendation we can.
Prepare Your Home
Talk to us before you make changes to your home! We can help you spend and prepare in the most efficient way. We know the roadblocks buyers often encounter, so we can advise how your property can present most effectively.
Showing your home can feel invasive, but our careful monitoring and communication will ensure that you feel secure and informed throughout the process.
- Deep clean
- Paint some or all of your house
- Do minor repairs such as caulking tubs and windows
- Make major repairs – if needed and in your budget – such as replacing your counters or appliances
- Stage your furniture to showcase your home’s best features
- Remove personal items such as family photos
- Declutter every surface and storage space
- Reorganize your closets and pack excess items
- Eliminate odors by cleaning the fireplace or pulling out musty rugs
- Add a color scheme with rugs or pillows if needed to warm up your home
- Upgrade your lighting or light bulbs to make your rooms brighter
- Consider a pre-inspection
- Spruce up the landscaping
- Power-wash your decks and sidewalks if needed
A professional photographer will take photos of your home because professionals are professionals for a reason! We want professional photos so we can market it well. We will pay for this service.
Review Offers
We’ll help you review offers to ensure we are accepting an offer that will bring you to closing.
No! We’re a safe place for you to express your desires – we’ll do the negotiating for you.
Inspections & Appraisal
Most buyers request a home inspection of the subject property after there is an executed contract on it. The preparation you made before your first showing should help you get ready for the inspection. The buyer’s lender will conduct an appraisal that is an objective valuation of your property. This serves as a safeguard for the buyer and the buyer’s lender.
We will help you respond to the findings of inspections and the appraisal.
The inspector will check:
- Structural conditions such as the foundation, beams and floors
- Roof condition
- Mechanical systems such as heat and air conditioning
- Appliances – to make sure they’re working, although some inspectors skip appliances that are not built-in
- Plumbing – for leaks, rust and water pressure
- Electrical systems such as grounded outlets and code violations
- Safety issues such as stairs, handrails, mold or chimney maintenance
Appraisers use as many measurable pieces of data available to provide an accurate value of your property, including:
- Comparable properties in your area that are of similar size, age and condition
- The condition of your home’s systems and structure
- The square feet of your property
- The number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Your location
- The quality of your flooring, plumbing and electrical systems
Appraisers also include research about other properties and neighborhood values, as well as an in-person visit for their evaluation of your home.
While an appraiser may look at some of the same things as a home inspector, the result is an appraised value of your property rather than a condition report.
While the buyer pays for an appraisal, the appraiser actually works for the lender.
Closing
While it’s tempting to focus on your next move, your Stacie Pineda Real Estate Group agent is likely to remind you that until the closing is over, you have some final responsibilities as a seller.
Before the closing day, you’ll need to:
- Take care of repairs required by the contract
- Keep all receipts and invoices and before-and-after photos of repairs
- Gather all appliance manuals and warranties for your buyers
- Hire a mover
- Cancel all utilities for the day after you move
- Change your mailing address
- Review all settlement documents
- Clean the house
- Prepare for the buyers’ final walk-through
Sellers may or may not attend the closing. You can sign all documents before the official closing. Sellers’ expenses, which are deducted from the proceeds of the sale, include:
- Final balance on your mortgage
- Real estate commissions
- Prorated property taxes, utility bills, homeowner’s insurance, and homeowners’ association dues
Congratulations!
Your agent will hand over the keys, and the attorney will pay any loan balance you have before cutting a check for the profit from your sale. Once the deed is in the buyer’s name, you are closed!
