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Search Comparable Properties The Selling Process Realtor® v FSBO
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Selling your home can be a nightmare or an easy process. The decision is up to you. According to the National Association of Realtor®s, sellers who use a Realtor® make 17% more on the sale of their home that those who go at it along. Why? Because having an objective viewpoint along with someone with the tools of the trade makes a huge difference. You hire a professional to do your plumbing and legal work because they know it best -- a good Realtor® knows the Real Estate Industry best. If you want to try it alone, consider setting a time limit. Will you try it alone for two weeks? A month? For more information, visit Realtor® versus For Sale By Owner. Your Realtor® should be willing and able to help you with all of these steps.

Whether or not you go at it alone, here are the typical steps to selling your home:

  • Comit to the decision to sell your home (motivated sellers sell their homes much faster since they are willing to live with temporary staging and life-style changes)
  • Meet with Realtor® to discuss needs
  • Sign a Listing Agreement to lay out a timeline, compensation, and other details
  • Make needed repairs
  • Clean and stage your home using a professinal decorator if needed
  • Begin packing
  • Install lockbox at house
  • Place house in MLS
  • "For Sale" sign in yard
  • Ad and marketing campaign begins
  • Review showing feedback
  • Make and adjustments in selling strategy
  • Buyer makes an offer
  • Contract negotiations
  • Accept offer
  • Escrow is opened
  • Option period
  • Buyer makes repair requests
  • Seller negotiates repair requests
  • Buer elects to proceed
  • Seller makes repairs
  • Move out & clean house
  • Buyer's loan approval
  • Documents arrive at title company
  • Transfer Utilities
  • Final Walkthrough
  • Documents Signed
  • Escrow closes
  • Documents recorded
  • Buyer takes posession (& keys!)