Aletha Burch

1) Choose Your Listing Agent Wisely

       Not all agents are created equal.   Agents can earn specialty designations through education and experience.  

       I have my Real Estate Broker’s license.

       Negotiate your listing agreement , including the term.

2) Get Your Home Ready for Sale

       Prepare your home for sale .   Follow my ‘Top Tips for Sellers’ provided in your listing packet.

       Make necessary repairs before selling .

       If you're selling a home where pets live , make alternate plans for your pets.

3) Determine How Much Your Home is Worth

       Together with your REALTOR you should price your home in-line with sold homes identified in a Comparative Market Analysis .

       A seller's biggest mistake is to overprice.

       Be realistic and take into account your local market conditions, and whether you have a specific timeframe that needs to be met.

4) Market Your Home

       Inform your REALTOR of the features you love about your home and why you purchased it in the first place.   These features may be why others might fall in love with your home as well.

       Have high quality photos taken of your property, to be used in marketing material.   As your agent I will use a Nikon SLR with wide angle lens to create professional looking photos that will be used to create an internet photo tour of your home and in all other marketing materials

       Post listing online and in the MLS (REIN). Nearly 90% of all homebuyers begin their search online.   By choosing me, your listing will be uploaded to www.REMAX.com , one of the world’s most visited real estate websites.   In addition to REMAX.com, I will post your listing on over 50 other well-known websites, including my personal website RUBYHENDERSON.COM (listed on all of my personal marketing material).

5) Showing Your Home

       If you're wondering about lockbox vs. appointments , you'll get more showings if you let agents use a lockbox .

       Ask for buyer feedback so you can adjust your strategy and price accordingly.

       Consider holding an open house , but use the approach sparingly.   Follow my ‘7 Tips for an Open House.’

6) Receive Purchase Offers and Negotiate

       Work closely with your REALTOR when reviewing offers.   Ask questions and ask for help in determining your best strategy.

       Don't ignore offers. Even if you receive a lowball offer , negotiate by issuing a counter offer .

       If you are priced right, prepare yourself for the possibility of multiple offers .

7) Select a Settlement Service Company or Closing Attorney

       This company/lawyer will prepare the Deed and other required selling documents.

       If you do not have a relationship with a lawyer that handles real estate closings, I can recommend a Settlement Service Company or Closing Attorney.

8) Cooperate with Home Inspection

       Expect that the inspector will want access to the attic and the crawl space.

9) Seller-Required Inspections and Seller Disclosures

       If you are aware of any material facts or defects with your property, you must disclose them.

       As the Seller, you are often asked to provide a clear termite and moisture letter from a licensed termite/moisture company.

       There may be other inspections that you will need to provide for the buyers (if applicable): septic system, flood certificate, environmental studies, etc.

       If you do not already have companies that you would like to use, I can recommend several reputable companies that can perform these inspections.

       All homes in the US are subject to lead-based paint disclosures.

       If your home or neighborhood is associated with a homeowner’s association , you will be required to provide a HOA packet, usually at your cost.

10) Negotiate Request for Repairs

       After a home inspection, buyers will submit a Property Inspections Contingency Removal Addendum (PICRA), either accepting the property in its current condition or list requested repairs.

       You do not have to accept a buyer's request for repair s; however, buyers can then terminate the contract.

       If you do not wish to make repairs, a buyer may be willing to accept a financial credit at closing, or price concessions.

11) Contingencies Are Removed

       After you and the buyer come to an agreement on the requested repairs laid out in the PICRA, the contingency shall be removed.

       Once all contingencies have been removed, the buyers are then obligated to perform to the conditions set forth in the contract.

12) Closing

       Signing of all required seller documents.   Your property deed , re-conveyance and deed of trust will be recorded in the public records.  

       Depending on the contract, you may be required to move by the day of closing.   Be sure to make all necessary arrangements including transferring of utilities, etc.

       Any proceeds from the sale are typically ready on the next business day after 2pm.