Sellers

Preparing To Sell Abilene Real Estate

Why Sell?

Why do you want to sell your property? Do you intend to simply find a larger property, or do you plan on moving to another neighborhood, school district, city or state? You might think your reasons are obvious, but it would do well to consider the implications of each option for your lifestyle, opportunities, and finances. Being clear about your intentions for selling will make it easier for us to determine the most appropriate option for your specified financial, lifestyle, and real estate goals.

When Should I Sell?

Establish your time frame for selling early on. If you have a personal consideration, like a job offer, that doesn’t allow you much flexibility for your selling time frame, then your agent will work with you. We can help you accelerate the process by giving you a thorough market analysis and action plan to best fit your goals. If you do not need to sell immediately, we will sit down with you and review current market conditions to find the ideal time to sell.

Other Things To Consider

What Is The Market Like?

Typically, homes sell more frequently in the summer months because they look their best - lawns are green, and flowers are blooming. Nice landscaping can be very attractive to buyers. Many families will buy in the summer months because they want their kids to finish out the school year before they move. Economic conditions also determine real estate demands. Selling your house during periods of low interest rates can benefit you because buyers will obtain mortgage loans more easily. Periods of low unemployment and pent-up demand also ensure an accessible pool of potential buyers. We will help you determine the best-selling price for your property by looking at a myriad of factors, including the current market value, comparable properties, amenities, finances, repairs, square footage, and more.

Optimize Your Finances

Selling your property is a big financial decision. It requires an in-depth look at your current financial situation, as well as future opportunities. Many independent property owners overestimate the value of their home. This leads to properties sitting idly on the market for long periods of time. On the flip side, if you price your property too low, you could cheat yourself out of thousands of dollars. Having an experienced agent on your side will prevent you from making these mistakes. When you work with us, we will create a detailed report so you can easily assess the financial impact of selling your property. We will also help you create effective tax-saving and estate planning strategies. We are committed to helping you take control of your finances and use them to their full potential.

What To Do To Prepare:

1] Curb Appeal. Update your landscaping. If you have a lawn, make sure it’s well manicured. Depending on the season, you might consider adding some colorful flowers or fresh greenery.

2] Polish The Details. Simple upgrades such as window repairs, carpet and tile treatments, and a fresh coat of paint will instantly highlight the property’s details.

3] Clean And Staged. There is beauty in simplicity. Remove the extra personal items and clutter to keep a cleaner look. Your agent may suggest adding mirrors to certain walls, fresh flowers to dining tables or candles in the kitchen.

4] Disclosures And Inspections. If the property does have any complications, we will help you create a thorough disclosure statement. We will also make sure the necessary inspections and repairs are handled in the case of a crucial issue.

5] Time To Show. Buyers feel more comfortable discussing the property directly with the agent. Your agent will engage with their expertise in your property and the most important negotiating factors.

Without a professional agent, most independent property sellers tend to overestimate the value of their property. You can avoid this pitfall by consulting with an experienced real estate listing agent. You can do a lot to increase the appeal of your property and to create a lasting impact on potential buyers.

Free Home Valuation

Choosing an Abilene Real Estate Agent

Why Should You Choose Our Professionals?

You may choose to sell your property independently, but hiring a qualified listing agent will help you get the best price for your property, employ effective advertising and marketing strategies, guide you through negotiations, and help you organize the complicated paperwork involved from the initial agreement to the closing documents. We understand how important selling your property is for your finances and future. That’s why we make your goals as our top priority. Our professional agents will use their expertise to guide you seamlessly through the selling process and maximize your opportunities on the real estate market.

What To Look For In An Agent

The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when looking for a listing agent:

1) Education

Our agents go through advanced training and education, allowing them esteemed recognition in the industry and market.

2) Experience and Expertise

You want a full-time agent who is familiar with the area and similar properties like the one you intend to sell. Do they possess a diverse range of marketing and advertising strategies? How many similar properties has he or she been able to sell in the past? How tech-savvy is your agent? Are they up to date on the power of social media?

3) Availability and Commitment

Your agent should be sharp and able to take decisive action during the process of selling your property. Is your agent intentional about staying in contact? Is your agent flexible for weekends and evenings? Are they willing to host open houses?

4) Compatibility

You will work with your agent through every stage of selling your property, so it’s crucial you believe they will give you their best, understand your situation, and invest in the outcome of your property sale. Ultimately, you want to feel comfortable and confident in your agent.

We treat every property as if it was our own investment because we know how stressful selling a home can be for your finances and your future. Our professional listing agents will use their time, resources and expertise to ensure your property is strategically sold to benefit you.

The Price Is Not Always Right

The highest price is not always the determining factor when accepting an offer. The initial offer is usually not final, and there are a number of terms and conditions that may influence the final outcome of a price. You can trust our professionals to help you navigate proposals to accept the best offer - from the best buyer!

Negotiating To Win

We take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contracts. We put our clients first when evaluating each offer to help you make the right choice while keeping the buyer engaged.

The Initial Agreement and Deposit

Once you and the buyer have come to an agreement, you will both sign the initial contract, or Purchase Agreement, and the buyer will place a deposit in the escrow account. An escrow, or closing agent, is either a title company or an attorney who acts as the neutral third party that holds, receives, and distributes all funds associated with selling your property until the closing date.

Laws vary across states, but in order for an agreement to be legally binding, the agreement may require consideration. Considerations are deposits from the buyer held in the escrow account pending the fulfillment of contingencies or conditions in the Purchase Agreement.

Some important tips to keep in mind to streamline the process even further:

Keep written records of everything. Counter-offers, verbal agreements, and addenda should all be recorded. Make sure both parties sign these written documents. We will help draft all written records and provide copies for both parties to keep.

• Stay on schedule. You and the buyer will be given a timeline to complete all contingencies laid out in the Purchase Agreement. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smooth, more productive negotiation period. Staying on schedule will not only make the process less stressful, but it will also guarantee neither party is in breach of their contract agreements. We will keep you updated throughout the process and prepare you for each step.
• Find out how we can help you reach your real estate goals by completing the form.

The Buyer's Property Inspection

Most buyers will have the property inspected by a licensed inspector to ensure that everything in the contract is accurate. Inspection time frames will be laid out in the Purchase Agreement. Some buyers will choose to have separate inspectors look at different areas of the property (ie, roof, plumbing, or HVAC inspectors).

If the buyer is receiving a loan, a licensed appraiser will most likely examine your property as well. Since the agreement is contingent upon financing, the lending institution will require confirmation that its investment in your home is accurate. Therefore, they will require a third-party appraiser to determine the value of your property.

The Closing Agent

Either a title company or an attorney will be chosen as the closing agent, or escrow, whose job is to examine and insure clear title to real estate. After reviewing the recorded history of your property, they will certify that your title is clear of encumbrances (ie. leases, mortgages, or restrictions) by the date of closing to allow the transfer of title to the buyer.

What else you should know...

Contingencies

A contingency is a condition that must be met before a contract becomes legally binding. For instance, buyers will typically include contingencies upon home inspections or securing their financing.

Before completing his or her purchase of your property, the buyer will complete the necessary steps. These include:

• Securing financing and insurance;
• Reviewing all pertinent documents, such as preliminary title reports and disclosure documents, and
• Inspecting the property. The buyer has the right to pursue details on the condition of your property through a wide range of inspections, such as roof, termite/pest, chimney/fireplace, property boundary survey, well, septic, pool/spa, arborist, mold, lead based paint, HVAC, etc.

How do you respond objectively and fairly to the buyer when a renegotiation is demanded, while acting in your best interests?

This is when a professional listing agent can make a real difference in the outcome of the transaction. Having dealt with various property sales in the past, we guarantee our expertise and total commitment to every customer, no matter what their situation is.

Loan Approval and Appraisal

We suggest that you accept buyers who have a lender’s pre-approval, approval letter, or written loan commitment, which is a better guarantee of loan approval than a pre-qualification or no documentation from a lending institution. Expect an appraiser from the lender’s company to review your property and verify that the sales price is appropriate.

Closing Day

If you have made it this far, it is almost time to celebrate, but there are still a few more items to check off until your property is officially sold. Check with your agent to clarify all items are in order, so you can tie up these loose ends. We will ensure everything is ready for a seamless, stress-free closing day.

Final Walk-Through Inspection

Either on the day of closing or the day before, the buyer will have the final walk-through inspection. This is to verify the property is still in the condition outlined in the Purchase Agreement, there are no new issues, and no items have been left behind from the seller.

Cancel Home Services and Utilities

After the closing, we will provide a helpful list of numbers for the cancellation of home service and utilities.

Be Prepared

Even during this last stage, unexpected issues may arise, but do not worry. We will help you through any unforeseen problems. If the buyer’s loan does not process on time or an appliance on the property breaks, we know what to do. We have encountered these glitches before, so we know how to handle them effectively. We will get you back on track in a timely and stress-free manner.

Closing

After the final inspection, you, the buyer, and the closing agent will sign the settlement agreement, which details the financial transactions enacted through the process to certify accuracy. If you are unable to attend the closing, then you can make arrangements depending on the circumstances and notice given to all parties. If you are receiving funds, you can have them wired electronically to an account at your financial institution, or you can have the buyer issue a check at your closing. Make sure to arrange to have all property keys and other pertinent information for the buyer at the closing. Once everything is signed, you have officially sold your property.

Find out how we can help you reach your real estate goals by completing the form .