Here is what to expect on the road to SOLD!

Phase 1 - On The Market

• Expect "Showing Time" appointment request so you can be prepared for the visit.
• Have the home in showing condition every day.
• Place your valuable items in a safe place.
• Pets must be contained.
• Lights should be on, blinds and curtains open, thermostat set at a comfortable temperature for the season, all rooms must be accessible.
• Review the electronic updates about showing activity and market activity. Call me with your questions.

Phase 2–Measuring the Activity

• Showing agents will automatically receive an email asking for feedback and interest.
• You will receive a copy of the request email and a copy of the feedback email. We will discuss this feedback on our update calls.
• According to NAR statistics, if you have many showings and no offers in the first two weeks on the market, your home is overpriced by 5% and needs a price adjustment to prompt the sale.
• If there are few or no showings in that time frame, a 10% reduction is necessary in order to realign the property with the competition and prompt buyer interest in the home.
• My job is to keep you informed, updated, and focused on selling the home for the best price the market will deliver.
• This will happen within the first 30 days, or your home will become stigmatized and eventually sell for less.

Phase 3–The Offer

• Think of your property as a product rather than your home.
• When an offer is presented, analyze its merits as they relate to your goals.
• Don’t feel “offended” by a legitimate attempt to negotiate a win-win sale for all parties.
• Place yourself in the buyers’ shoes; based on the recent economic news, wouldn’t you want to make certain you don’t overpay for your next home?

Phase 4–From Contract to Closing

Home inspection -

• Allow access to the property for the home inspection.
• Expect there to be issues of which you are not aware.
• Consider the buyer’s response from the standpoint of moving the sale forward.
• Either correct the issues requested or offer a monetary credit where appropriate.
• Now that you are aware of a problem, you must either fix it OR disclose it to the next buyer.
• One in eight sales are canceled as a result of the findings on home inspections

Appraisal -

• This is an independent valuation of the property required by the lender for financing approval.
• If there is financing involved, the contract will be contingent upon an appraisal.
• If the appraised value is at the contract price or higher, we can all breathe a sigh of relief.
• If it is lower than the contract price, there is a chance that the buyers will ask you to lower your price to the appraised value, to negotiate a middle point between the contract price and appraised value, or the buyers may cancel the contract if a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached on the price.
• One in seven sales are canceled as a result of low property appraisals.

Other important steps -

• Termite inspection
• Title Search
• Closing
• Disbursement of your proceeds

Moving Checklist -

• Receive contact from Home Service Connections representative to provide vendor information.
• Interview and schedule moving company.
• Coordinate utilities transfer.
• Distribute Change of Address information to family, friends, accounts.
• Obtain transcripts of children’s school records.
• Update driver’s license, voter registration, etc.
  

Phase 5

Congratulations! Your Home is SOLD!

Have questions? Contact us - Call Pam Jones at (703) 587-7440 and Dave Jones at (703) 587-7550, and let’s talk about your questions.