Six Steps to Sell
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Here's a quick look at the steps you'll take when selling a home with RealtySouth:
1. Contact us to list your home. He or she will be able to expertly assess its current value so your return will be optimized.
2. Fix and clean up those items or areas that need improvement to maximize your home's exterior curb appeal and interior charm.
3. Get your home warranty and inspection done up front. When your home sells, it's likely that the sale will be subject to an inspection. By providing an initial inspection and warranty with RealtySouth's Warranty program, the buyer can feel confident and worry-free about buying your home-and you selling it.
4. You and your Sales Associate will work together to consider - and then negotiate with potential buyers - purchase offers on your home. Once an offer is accepted, you will both work with the buyer's agent to schedule a closing date and time.
5. Notify your phone company, utilities (don't forget water and sewer), moving company, post office, newspaper and magazines, friends and family. Check out our Utility Directory of service providers to help you with this process.
6. Pack and move!
Working With an Agent
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Sure, you can do your home search by yourself. But why? With an experienced RealtySouth Sales Associate at your side, finding the perfect home is easier, faster and a lot more fun. A good Realtor® can show you more suitable properties, offer valuable advice, and coach you through the entire home buying process. And you'll save time. Yet many buyers still spend endless hours pouring through classified ads, driving all over town, and viewing dozens of unsuitable properties - simply because they haven't connected with a Realtor®.
Some people think that if they have several agents looking for homes on their behalf, they'll find a house more quickly. Like most relationships, the buyer-agent relationship thrives on communication, loyalty and trust. By working exclusively with one agent, you'll improve both the process and the results.
Finding The Right Sales Associate For You
Chemistry is important. So are credentials. Above all, you'll want a well-trained agent who has the resources of a leading real estate firm behind him or her - a firm such as RealtySouth.
Some helpful hints on finding and working with a Realtor®:
- Ask friends, family members, neighbors or co-workers for referrals.
- Trust your intuition.
- Share with your Sales Associate as much as possible about your lifestyle,tastes, needs and dreams for your home.
- Focus your search on a few geographic areas.
How We Help Sell
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Selling your home is a team effort. Go over the marketing plan your Realtor has designed for your property and the special programs and services he or she has to offer. By exposing your home to the broadest possible audience through a coordinated marketing plan, you’ll have a better chance of attracting a qualified buyer.
Special Programs to Help Your Home Sell
AHS Warranty. This program protects the seller during the term of the listing and offers both the buyer and seller future peace of mind.
Marketing with Results
RealtySouth offers you better sales tools, more marketing muscle, and a more personal approach to business than any other company.
Here are just some of the marketing tools a RealtySouth Sales Associate can offer you:
Internet –– Home buyers can conduct a customized search for their dream home at their convenience, save property searches and even get email notifications of new listings.
ShowingTime –– Home buyers can schedule home showing appointments online.
Property Photos –– RealtySouth's web site offers sellers the option to load many more property photos than offered in the regular MLS software.
Advertising –– RealtySouth pioneered the concept of advertising online, in major newspapers and magazines throughout the state property and when necessary billboard advertising. Our approach is to ensure your property is presented to thousands of potential buyers.
Open Houses –– Sometimes people want to look on their own. Our open houses are a perfect way for them to be introduced to your home.
MLS ––Your home is entered into the MLS - a computerized service for Realtors® - that provides up-to-the-minute information about thousands of listings to all area agents and their qualified buyers.
"For Sale" Signs –– Our red and white yard signs are prominently displayed throughout the metro Birmingham area - a well-recognized endorsement of the company’s commitment to quality and integrity.
Home Profiles and Direct Mail –– Professionally produced marketing tools will highlight key selling points of your property.
Extensive Network –– Includes more than 20 offices in Alabama. We represent more buyers and sellers than any other company in our market.
In short, all of our benefits to you add up to one word: "Sold."
Tips for Sellers
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Curb Appeal Is Essential
A mowed, trimmed lawn and weeded garden create a good first impression. Inspect the exterior of your property: Shutters, windows, front door and steps. If the house needs painting, buyers will notice and may consider it a major objection to purchase.
Neatness Counts
Scrub each room thoroughly. Give special attention to the entryway, kitchen and bathrooms. Shampoo the carpet if necessary. If carpet is worn or old, consider replacing or removing it if hardwood floors are underneath. And don't forget cobwebs in corners, basements and attics!
Eliminate Clutter
Buyers will open closets and cupboards, so make sure they're as tidy as possible. Get rid of items you don't use. Remove unnecessary furniture to help make each room appear more spacious.
If It's Broken, Fix It
Easily fixable items such as loose doorknobs, a broken dishwasher, a dripping faucet, and squeaky doors all detract from your property's value. An afternoon spent making needed repairs now can eliminate a buyer's objections later.
Small Changes Can Make A Big Impression
Pillow and/or new towels can freshen a tired kitchen or bath. Fresh flowers add warmth to any room. And even a fresh coat of paint doesn't cost much.
Don't Forget About Aromatherapy
Make sure your home passes the scent test. Right before an open house, bake some cookies or bread, simmer a pot of apple cider & cinnamon on the stove, or light a few scented candles. Strong odors could send potential lookers running out the front door.
Get Some Help Fixing Up
If your time is limited, but you feel a quick fix could dramatically change a potential buyer’s perspective, call an expert. Invest a little, and go further.
Accepting an Offer
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Someone has decided your property is just right––and makes you an offer. When your RealtySouth Sales Associate conveys the offer to you, you'll know whether the price the buyer has suggested is fair. It may be less than your asking price. Yet you don't have to reply immediately if you're not certain the price and terms are acceptable.
Consider the current real estate market: Are houses in your neighborhood selling quickly, slowly or not at all? Don't assume that one offer will lead quickly to others. One predictable factor in the real estate market is that it's totally unpredictable.
Finding a Compromise
If you and your potential buyer are far apart, you could offer a few concessions such as appliances or a security system, or make some improvements prior to closing. You could also guarantee the condition of your home with a seller's inspection and warranty program with RealtySouth Warranty.
Drawing Up a Purchase Agreement
Your purchase agreement will include:
- The total price.
- The amount of the down payment.
- The date the closing will take place.
When completing the agreement, provide as much detail as you can about what's being sold and what's not. The more fully you spell out the details of the sale, the less room there is for problems later.
Most buyers insist that a provision for cancellation without penalties is included to protect them if they're unable to get a mortgage, or the home inspection uncovers major problems. They might also ask you to make your sale contingent on the sale of their current home. Delays happen frequently, so expect to do a little waiting before your agreement is finalized.
See our Closing information to understand the closing process.
Closing
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Many people may attend the closing: you, your RealtySouth Sales Associate, the buyer and their real estate agent, and an escrow agent (closer) from the title company.
During the meeting, which usually takes an hour, you and the buyer will review and sign all of the relevant closing papers. Then, after the buyer provides a cashier's or certified check for the down payment and closing costs, you pass the keys to the new owner and the net proceeds of the sale is yours.
What to Bring to Closing
In the rush of selling your home, don't forget to bring these following items with you:
- Keys and garage door opener(s).
- Code compliance.
- If more than one owner, both owners need to attend.
- I.D.
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