So you have decided to sell your property. Before taking the next steps, it is a good idea to sit down and clarify your home selling objectives and your motivation and draw up a basic timeframe for the sales process.
At the bottom of the page we have some checklists and guides to help you even more.
Why Are You Selling?
Do you need a larger (or smaller) property? Are you relocating to be closer to family? Do you plan to retire somewhere else entirely? You may think it doesn’t really matter the reason, but you would do well to consider the implications of each option regarding home selling for your lifestyle and finances. If you are clear about your intentions for selling, this will make it easier for us to determine the most appropriate course of action for your specified financial and lifestyle goals.
When Should You Sell Your House?
Some people have plenty of time and others want it done yesterday. If you need to sell soon, we can speed up the process for you by giving you a detailed market analysis and action plan to help you achieve your goals. If you have a bit more time to plan your home selling strategy and timeframe you can sit down with one of our expert real estate agents to thoroughly review the current market conditions. Together we can determine the most favorable time for you to get your home on the market.
What is the Market Like?
When you hire the GCH Luxury Group, rest assured that you will have our knowledge, expertise and negotiating skills at work for you. We will keep you up-to-date, not only on what is happening in the market, but also on the home selling prices, condition, and financing options of competing properties. You’ll receive our expert guidance on how to price and market your most prized possession.
Home Selling Costs
Costs will vary from area to area, but in our area these are the typical seller expenses:
- Prorated property taxes
- Prorated HOA fees (if any)
- Real estate brokerage fees – includes fees for the real estate agent’s services, marketing costs, advertising expenses, professional photography/videography, signage, and professional representation
- Buyer requested items (if any) such as a termite bond, septic inspection, or home warranty
- Repairs needed to ready the home for the market
- Updates needed to make the home marketable and desirable to today’s buyers
- Carrying costs while the home is for sale (i.e. mortgage payments, electric/water/gas bills, lawn maintenance, pool maintenance, insurance, HOA dues, etc.)
Questions to Ask a REALTOR When Selling
You may think that real estate agents are a dime a dozen, and you’re not entirely wrong. When the market is hot everyone suddenly decides to get their real estate license. They see it as quick and easy money. Those are typically the people who don’t last past the first year because home selling is not for the faint of heart. This is not a job you can do part time. We only hire agents who believe that selling real estate is a career, not a job.
Here are some questions you should ask any agent that you interview:
1. Education. This is the #1 most important factor in choosing a professional REALTOR. Anyone can get their license in short order and start representing clients, but do they continually educate themselves to stay current about our market trends? Our professionals have advanced training and education, allowing them to be among the top agents in the state and earning prestigious designations in the various fields of real estate. We hold advanced home selling and buying designations such as: Luxe Listing Specialist, Graduate of the Realtor Institute, Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer Representative, and Military Relocation Specialist.
2. Experience and Expertise. You deserve a full-time agent who is familiar with this area and with the type of property you intend to sell. Does this agent use a diverse range of marketing and advertising strategies designed to make home selling faster and more effective? How tech-savvy is he or she? Does this person use video marketing to its fullest advantage?
3. Availability and Commitment. Your REALTOR should be readily available for consultation and capable of prompt and decisive action during the home selling process. Does your agent make it a point to keep in touch with you at least weekly? Can your agent easily be contacted with questions regarding home selling or in case of emergency? Is your agent available for showings on the weekends or in the evenings when most buyers are out looking?
4. Rapport. Does the agent make you feel heard and understood? Does she listen to your goals and understand your needs? Is your agent genuinely concerned about achieving the goals of your home selling process? Does the agent constantly check their phone and answer other messages when they are having a conversation with you? Do you get the feeling they’re just trying to make a quick buck and aren’t really all that interested in selling your home? Your listing agent will be your partner in this crucial decision, so it is important to find one you trust.
What is Your Property Worth?
Now that you’ve determined your motivation and timeframe for home selling, here are some resources to help you get started. Click on any of the images below to download some of our helpful resources for the home selling process. Then when it’s time to find out what your home is worth in today’s rapidly changing market, we can assist you with no obligation. Let us deliver a custom market evaluation to you and show you why we are local area experts.