The Selling Process
Even if you’ve bought or sold a home before, this process can still be daunting. Let’s look at the many steps involved in selling a home and see how a real estate professional works to tie them all together. For assistance selecting a FH Realty associate.
Step 1
List your property with a Better Homes and Gardens FH Realty real estate professional. Select someone who’s knowledgeable listens carefully to identify your needs, and with whom you feel comfortable. For assistance select a FH Realty sales associate.
Step 2
Discuss how the real estate professional can assist you in finding your new home. If you have not identified a property to purchase, you’ll want to work with someone with an in-depth knowledge of the area to guide you. For assistance select a FH Realty sales associate.
Step 3
Establish price and time frame. Your listing agent will prepare a comparable market analysis (CMA), which compares your home with similar homes in the area that are currently listed, in contract or have sold within the last six months. Supply and demand, craftsmanship, amenities, condition and any special circumstances can also impact price. For instance, a relocation might necessitate a quick sale. For assistance select a FH Realty sales associate.
Step 4
Develop and implement a marketing strategy. It’s important to develop a plan that will expose your home to as many buyers as possible. This usually includes scheduling open houses, when necessary, advertising in local newspapers and magazines and on the Internet, preparing property brochures, registering with a multiple listing service, exposing the listing to brokers’ and referral networks and installing a lawn sign. For assistance select a FH Realty sales associate.
Step 5
An offer is submitted. A buyer will make an offer through his agent. The buyer’s agent will present the offer to your representative, who will promptly relay it to you and help you evaluate it. For assistance select a FH Realty sales associate.
Step 6
The negotiation process begins and eventually an offer is accepted. The process of offer and counter-offer may go on until parties arrive at an acceptable contract. This step can go very quickly or take days, even weeks. For assistance select a FH Realty sales associate.
Step 7
Buyers submit a loan application and home inspections are scheduled. For assistance select a FH ealty sales asscoiate.
Step 8
The loan is approved. All parties breathe a sigh of relief and begin preparations for moving. For assistance select a FH Realty sales associate.
Step 9
The listing agent coordinates all activities required for closing. Your agent will funnel all the closing documents to the escrow agent. Papers include the deed, mortgage, numerous tax receipts, a Certificate of Occupancy and other documents. A final walk-through will also be scheduled. For assistance select a FH Realty sales associate.
Step 10
Finalize and close transaction. What you call this final real estate transaction depends on where you live and if the parties gather for the proceedings. The term settlement applies when a meeting takes place. Many people refer to this as the closing. On the other hand, closing of escrow occurs without a meeting. When the escrow agent receives the paperwork and the funds pertaining to the sale of the property, the escrow is closed. For assistance select a FH Realty sales associate.
Step 11
Time to move!
We are always happy to answer any questions. For immediate assistance, please contact:
Judy VanAalten
Customer Service Manager
718-544-4000
judyv@queensrealty.com
