Looking To Sell?
I Make Selling Your Home a Top-Notch Experience
What’s the key to selling quickly and for top dollar? Price, How the Property “Shows,” and Advertising. Selling your property is a big choice, so it’s important to work withan experienced agent that understands the local market and how best to present your property in its best light.
Let’s Meet to Discuss the Selling Process
When we meet, I’ll listen to your selling goals and explain the selling process so you know what to expect. I’ll show you data on similar properties that have sold nearby, so you can see how much to list your property for and likely how long it might take to sell. Working together, we’ll craft a plan to meet your goals.
The Art of Pricing a Property
There are many factors that come into play when deciding where to set the asking price for a property. We begin by looking at similar properties that have sold in the area. We’ll look at current trends in the local market and we’ll consider how quickly you want to sell your property. I’ll provide you with a market analysis that looks at all these factors so you can make a realistic, informed decision on your asking price.
Marketing Strategies That Attract Buyers to Your Property
1: PRICING! A property that is priced well is going to attract buyers.
2: PREPARATION! Preparing your property for showings is critical to your ability to sell quickly and for the highest dollar. (See My Pre-Listing Checklist HERE)
3: MARKETING! Your listing, which will include professional photos and key marketing remarks designed for Search Engine Optimization, will be published in all major social and business platforms. Your property will have national exposure with photos and details available to anyone looking for homes in the area.
4: COMMUNICATION! I can’t stress the importance of communication enough! As soon as there is any inquiry on your property, whether it’s interested buyers or agents, it’s critical to have a friendly, knowledgeable, accessible, communicative listing agent who is prepared to answer questions and facilitate tours.
YOU’VE DECIDED TO LIST WITH ME – WHAT’S NEXT?
HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS TO SELLING YOUR PROPERTY FOR TOP DOLLAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:
- PREPARE THE HOME. Prior to listing or taking marketing photos, it should be immaculate and well-staged. (SEE MY PRE-LISTING CHECKLIST HERE)
- GET PRE-INSPECTED. Have the home inspected by a certified Inspection Company to uncover any defects, and make repairs as needed (or strategize on options with credits or incentives to buyers). Have the Inspection Report – and receipts for work done – available for buyers and agents to see. (I prepare a binder with this information to be kept at the house for Open Houses and showings.)
- PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS. I’ll get high quality photos (good lighting is essential) to show off the home’s top features.
- MARKETING: I publish information about your property in all the relevant social platforms: the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and virtually all real estate sites (Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, Homes.com); this website (http://www.NWCoastRealEstate.com); and my personal Facebook page; Instagram; LinkedIn; Craigslist, Yelp, etc). Your listing will also post to my brokerage Skyline Properties website. (Skyline is the 4th largest brokerage in Washington with 1300 real estate agents). I also set up “reverse prospecting” within the MLS so that an email about your home gets delivered to agents looking for similar properties in the area.
- OPTIMIZATION: Well-written marketing remarks can make a huge difference in SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and the NW Multiple Listing Service now has new search features that utilize the listing broker marketing remarks to help buyers search properties more efficiently. In addition to Marketing Remarks in the public facing side of the MLS, I provide supplementary information in the “Agent’s Only” section of the MLS, including a Preliminary Title Report, the Inspection Report (see 2 above), HOA info and CCRs (if applicable); Site/plat maps, and anything else to show buyers’ agents that the seller is transparent and that we’ve done our homework and are ready to go to the closing table without unnecessary delays.
- OPEN HOUSES: On the first weekend after the listing goes live, I hold Open Houses, and publish this information in all of the platforms listed above so that interested buyers will be alerted. I am liberal in my use of signage to attract attention to the Open House. One or two days prior to the Open House I leaflet the neighborhood and invite neighbors to come take a look – and invite their friends and family who may be looking for a home. And, importantly, during my Open Houses, there will be chocolates for the guests that come through!
OPTIMIZATION: Well-written marketing remarks can make a huge difference in SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and the NW Multiple Listing Service now has new search features that utilize the listing broker marketing remarks to help buyers search properties more efficiently. In addition to Marketing Remarks in the public facing side of the MLS, I provide supplementary information in the “Agent’s Only” section of the MLS, including a Preliminary Title Report, the Inspection Report (see 2 above), HOA info and CCRs (if applicable); Site/plat maps, and anything else to show buyers’ agents that the seller is transparent and that we’ve done our homework and are ready to go to the closing table without unnecessary delays.
OPEN HOUSES: On the first weekend after the listing goes live, I hold Open Houses, and publish this information in all of the platforms listed above so that interested buyers will be alerted. I am liberal in my use of signage to attract attention to the Open House. One or two days prior to the Open House I leaflet the neighborhood and invite neighbors to come take a look – and invite their friends and family who may be looking for a home. And, importantly, during my Open Houses, there will be chocolates for the guests that come through!
Pre-Listing Checklist Helpful Tips
Highlight the key feature of the home by making sure they are not obscured by plants and furnishings
Repairs to Make Before Selling Your Home:
- Fix any drains, faucets, or plumbing fixtures that are not operating.
- Paint the interior. Fill and paint any cracks or holes in the walls. (You may need to repaint entire walls to mask such repairs.)
- Replace burned-out bulbs and broken electrical sockets.
- Replace or fix broken stairs. Repair or replace balusters. Fix any creaks as well.
- Replace old locks and doorknobs. Make it easy for a buyer to walk in.
- Fix any doors that do not open easily, including the garage door. If your garage door opener does not work, repair or replace it.
- Replace cracked windows and torn screens.
- Fix cracks in driveway and entry walkway, clean up stains. If the driveway requires major repair, it may be preferable to offer the buyer an allowance for the work.
- Paint the exterior. Touch up peeling paint, window frames, porches, and shutters. Repaint the entire exterior if it is drab or peeling.
Interior:
- Declutter the home!
- Have a yard sale. (You can declutter AND make extra cash!)
- Donate or throw away unused items.
- Put possessions you can live without for a while in storage.
- Clean off everything on the kitchen counters.
- Clean out and organize the garage.
- Clean out and organize closets.
- Empty storage from attic.
- Place all breakables, antiques and other valuables in a safe place to prevent accidental damage.
- Have the home professionally cleaned.
- Replace batteries in smoke detectors. Test carbon monoxide detector.
- How does the house smell? If the house has unpleasant odors, it may take longer to sell and/or fetch a lower price!
- De-personalize the home: pack up personal photographs, family heirlooms, religious items, etc. that may deter a buyer from seeing themselves living in the home.
- Fix or replace damaged flooring. If you cannot afford to replace damaged or worn floors, consider offering the buyer an allowance for renovation.
Exterior:
- Reseal the deck and repair broken boards.
- Replace shingles and tack down loose flashing on roof, or have a roofing contractor inspect the roof and make needed repairs.
- Check to make sure heating ducts are connected and properly vented in crawl space/attic.
- Repair faulty cabinets. It is easy for the hinges on cabinets to get a bit loose, which results in doors that don’t close correctly or that aren’t flush with the frame
- Trim trees away from roof and home.
- Trim shrubs, vegetation and remove unsightly plants.
- Clear debris from around the A/C compressor, downspout drainage, and foundation vents.
- Overseed lawns to create “lush” look.
- Power wash sidewalks, driveways, patios and exterior walls.
- Clean front door and frame.
- Paint as needed to improve curb appeal.
- Remove screens and clean windows.
- Clean out gutters.
- Have irrigation and lighting systems in working order.
- Keep garbage container in the rear of the house or in garage.
- Keep toys and bikes out of sight.
- Dress up the front. A few potted plants make the house look loved!
Meet with an agent to discuss the selling process.
When we meet, we’ll listen to your selling goals and explain the selling process so you know what to expect. We’ll show you data on similar properties that have sold nearby, so you can see how much to list your property for and how long it might take to sell. We will also show you the new technology we use to market your listing and manage the entire sale, making sure nothing is missed. You will always know what’s happening when you work with our team – we keep you informed every step of the way.
Our real estate experts will use the best way to price your home.
Any agent or seller does not set the right price for your property. It’s decided by what the market is doing right now. We use up-to-date data to pick 5 homes similar to yours that are currently for sale, five that are pending sale, and five that have recently sold. With our deep knowledge of the market, this method ensures we advertise your property correctly so it sells when you want, for the price you deserve.
We know how to reach the many buyers who search online.
We focus our marketing where buyers are finding homes right now. The more places your property is advertised, the more buyers see it, and the faster it sells. We will market your listing with strong content in many places, including our website, home search sites, search engines, and social media.
Reach Buyers Everywhere
We use more than just the internet.
Buyers still find homes in other ways. So, we also use proven real-world marketing methods. Our “for sale” signs have a special word that buyers can text to get your listing sent to their phone right away. When they text, we immediately get their contact information and reach out quickly to set up a showing.