Selling a Property with Kristin Hawley Real Estate
Welcome to Your real estate seller's guide
Selling a home is a major financial decision and can be an emotional process as well. Whether you’re selling your first home or you’re an experienced seller, this guide will walk you through each stage of the process to help you achieve a smooth, profitable sale.
Selling a Home
Step 1: Decide to Sell
The first step is deciding if it’s the right time to sell. Consider these factors:
- Market Conditions: Market conditions influence pricing, demand, and competition. Selling during favorable conditions can maximize profits, attract more buyers, and reduce time on market, ensuring a more successful and efficient transaction. Kristin is knows the local market conditions like the back of her hand and will be sure you do too!
- Personal Situation: Assess your need for selling, whether it’s due to a job relocation, upsizing, downsizing, financial reasons, or other personal circumstances.
- Readiness: Although there can be more favorable times to sell, regardless of the market conditions, the best time to sell is always when you're ready. Each type of market and season comes with its pros and cons for selling. Kristin will ensure to guide you every step of the way and explain each of those pros and cons to you and keep you updated every step of the way to ensure you're the most informed seller in the area.
Step 2: Prepare Your Home for Sale
A well-prepared home can attract more buyers and help you get a higher price. Here’s how to make your home appealing:
- Repairs and Upgrades: Fix any obvious repairs like leaky faucets, chipped paint, or broken tiles. Minor upgrades, such as new light fixtures or fresh paint, can make a big difference.
- Cleaning and Decluttering: Clean every corner of your home. Declutter rooms, closets, and storage areas. A clean and organized home looks larger and more inviting.
- Staging Your Home: Consider staging your home or hiring a professional stager. Staging helps potential buyers envision themselves in the space.
- Curb Appeal: The first impression matters! Trim the lawn, clean up the yard, and make sure the exterior looks inviting.
Step 3: Determine Your Home's Value
Kristin will help you to price your home correctly to avoid it sitting on the market for too long or selling for less than it's worth.
- Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): As a real estate agent, Kristin can perform a CMA to determine your home’s fair market value based on similar properties that have recently sold in your area.
- Important Notes about Pricing:
- What you originally paid for the property does not affect its current value
- The amount of money you need to get from the sale does not affect its value
- What you think it should be worth has no effect on its value
- What another real estate agent says your property is worth does not affect its value
- An appraisal does not always indicate what your property is worth on the open market
- Fair Market Value: The value of your property is determined by what a ready, willing, and able buyer will pay for it on the open market, and this is based upon the value of other recent closed sales of similar properties in your area.
Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent
Choose the right real estate agent by checking their experience, local market knowledge, communication style, reviews, and success record. Ensure they understand your goals and make you feel comfortable.
By working with me, you’re choosing a real estate agent who is fully committed to your success and values honesty, integrity, and patience. With expert market insight and a track record of delivering results, I offer personalized service to make your home sale seamless, stress-free, and as profitable as possible. I'm deeply invested in the community I serve and proud to give back—because I don't just work here, I live here too. Let’s connect and turn your real estate goals into reality!
Step 5: Set the Right Price
Pricing your home is a balance between making a profit and attracting buyers.
- Too High: If your home is overpriced, it may sit on the market for too long and eventually require price reductions.
- Too Low: If priced too low, you may not maximize your return on investment. However, a competitive price may spark interest and lead to multiple offers.
Step 6: Market Your Home
Effective marketing is essential to attract buyers. I will ensure your home gets the visibility it deserves.
- Online Listings: Your agent will list your property on major real estate platforms like Realtor.ca and MLS®.
- Social Media & Ads: Listings on Facebook, Instagram, and in newspapers can expand your reach.
- Professional Photos & Virtual Tours: High-quality photos, including drone footage, and video tours make a big impact in online listings.
- Open Houses: Depending on the market and the home’s condition, hosting an open house can be a great way to attract potential buyers.
Step 7: Negotiate Offers
Once you start receiving offers, it's time to review them carefully:
- Offer Price: Look at the price, but also consider other terms like conditions and the buyer's financing.
- Closing Flexibility: If you need extra time to move, consider offers that are more flexible with your timeline.
- Conditions: Understand the conditions (e.g., financing, inspection, appraisal) in each offer. These clauses can impact the success of the sale.
Kristin will help you negotiate the terms and choose the best offer. You can accept, reject, or counter any offer.
Step 8: Accept an Offer
Once you’ve accepted an offer, Kristin will guide you through the next steps and timeline. The accepted offer will outline, but is not limited to:
- The agreed-upon sale price and deposit amount.
- Any chattels to be included or excluded from the sale.
- Any rental contracts to be taken over.
- Any conditions, such as inspection or financing.
- The closing date.
- Any repairs or credits you’re offering to the buyer.
Once signed, both parties are legally bound by the terms of the agreement.
Step 9: Prepare for Closing
The closing process involves finalizing the sale and transferring ownership to the buyer. During this time:
- Inspection & Appraisal: The buyer will likely have an inspection and appraisal done on the home. Be prepared for possible negotiations if issues arise.
- Repairs or Credits: If the inspection reveals problems, the buyer may ask you to repair them or provide a credit toward the repairs.
- Final Walkthrough: The buyer will conduct a final walkthrough before closing to ensure the home is in the agreed-upon condition.
- Retaining a Lawyer and Providing Documents: You’ll need to hire a lawyer to assist with the transfer of the deed and provide various documents, including your title deed, disclosures, and any warranties.
Step 10: Close the Sale
At closing, you will:
- Sign the Sale Documents: Review and sign the official sale documents, including the deed, title transfer, and any other necessary paperwork with your lawyer.
- Receive Payment: The buyer will pay for the property (typically via a wire transfer or certified check). You’ll receive the proceeds from the sale, minus any fees and expenses.
- Transfer Ownership: Once the transaction is complete, you’ll hand over the keys and the buyer will take ownership.
- Pay Real Estate Agent Fees: The agent’s commission, typically around 5% of the sale price, will be deducted from the sale proceeds.