Important Info For Sellers

Deciding to Sell

Have you decided to sell your home in the Orlando or Kissimmee area? Before you move forward, it’s a good idea to assess your situation and create a plan to achieve your goals.

WHY SELL?

What are your reasons for selling? Are you planning to downsize or find a larger home in the same area, or would you like to relocate to another part of the city, state, or country? Identifying your intentions can help us determine the most appropriate options for your real estate, lifestyle, and financial goals.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SELL?

Do you have a particular time frame established for selling? If you need to sell your home quickly, we can create an immediate action plan to help you achieve your goals. If you aren’t on a pressing schedule, we will analyze the current market conditions and advise you of the most favorable time to place your home on the market.

HOW IS THE MARKET?

When you partner with us, you can have peace of mind knowing that we are putting our expertise, knowledge, and skills to work on your behalf. We will keep you apprised of any changes in market conditions and let you know how fluctuations might impact your results.

Select an Agent & Price

WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE OUR AGENCY?

Selling your property independently is certainly an option. But there are many reasons why you should consider using us to get the best results possible. We will put our extensive contacts and resources to work on your behalf to advertise and market your home to a broad audience that will increase the chances of more showings, a faster offer, and a higher selling price. We will also guide you through the complicated negotiation process and legal agreements leading up to closing.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN AGENT.

When looking for a listing agent, use the following criteria to narrow down your choices:

1. Licensing & Education.
   A real estate agent’s education and licensing are critical. Verify that your listing agent has the designations required and ask them about their continuing education.
2. Expertise & Experience.
   How much experience does your agent have in the area? For example, if you are selling a home in Solivita, how many homes have they listed there in the past? What marketing strategies do they use?
3. Commitment & Availability.
   Does your agent make an effort to stay in touch and keep you updated? Are they readily available to answer questions, help you deal with challenges, or respond to potential buyer’s questions?
4. Comfort Level. 
   How comfortable do you feel with your agent? Do they take the time to listen to your needs and clarify your goals? Your listing agent should be the partner you trust to help you make critical decisions.

WHAT IS YOUR PROPERTY WORTH?

You love your home and want to get top dollar for it. Unfortunately, many independent sellers will overestimate the value of their property, prolonging the sales process. As professionals, we can help you avoid this common pitfall while ensuring you get the fairest price for your home.

Prepare to Sell

There are plenty of things you can do to boost the appeal of your property and increase the chances of getting a better result on your home sale.

WHAT TO DO TO PREPARE:

When listing a property for sale, keep these factors in mind:
 

1. Curb Appeal.
   What people see when they pull up to your home can create a lasting impression. Pay particular attention to your home’s landscaping and other details like the front door, shutters, and siding.
2. Property Repairs.
   Look for simple upgrades that can make a strong impression on home buyers. Some examples are a fresh coat of paint, new fixtures, and polished cabinet pulls and doorknobs.
3. Cleaning and Staging. 
   Keep your home as uncluttered as possible, and pay attention to the details. Put items in storage, if necessary, and have your home professionally cleaned before an open house. Stage the home with fresh flowers and other non-personal items to help shoppers imagine themselves living in the space.
4. Inspections and Disclosures.
   To give the most honest and thorough assessment of your property possible, we will advise you regarding any recommended pre-listing inspections (such as pest and termite inspections) and help develop a legal disclosure statement to accompany your listing.
5. Showings.
   Most prospective buyers feel more comfortable discussing a home without the seller present. As your listing agent, we will handle all property showings on your behalf and will present your home in the most favorable and useful manner to represent your interests.

Accepting an Offer

IS IT THE RIGHT PRICE?

There’s a common misconception that the offer with the highest price is the best. While understandable, this may not be the case. Some offers come with conditions that aren’t reasonable, and many initial offers don’t end up as the final price. As your experienced listing agent, you can trust us to help you evaluate and choose the best proposal.

NEGOTIATING THE RIGHT WAY.

We take our role as your representative seriously when it comes to negotiating contract terms. When you have a single offer on your home or several, we will help you assess each one to make the right choice.

THE SALES AGREEMENT AND DEPOSIT.

When you accept an offer on your home, there will be a signed sales agreement that is legal and binding. The buyer’s deposit will be held in an escrow account until closing or other conditions are met.

To streamline this process, you should:
 

• Keep written records of everything. We will provide you with copies of all documents. It’s also a good idea to memorialize all verbal conversations and agreements in writing.
• Stick to your schedule. The contract will have a list of deadlines that we will help you meet so that you can get to the closing table on schedule.

Escrow, Inspections & Appraisals

INSPECTIONS & APPRAISALS.

It’s standard practice for buyers to have a licensed property inspector thoroughly examine the property after the contract has been signed. Some buyers might also order additional inspections for things like the HVAC system and roof. If your buyer is financing their purchase, the lender will also require an appraisal to confirm that they aren’t overpaying for the home.

THE CLOSING AGENT.

The parties will choose either a title company or an attorney to act as the closing agent. Their role is to research the property’s history and ensure that there will be a clear title passed onto the buyer at closing.

CONTINGENCIES.

It’s not uncommon for sales agreements to have some conditions, also called “contingencies,” that must be met for the contract to be legally binding. For example, most buyers want the option to walk away if there is an unsatisfactory home inspection.

Other possible contingencies include getting approved for financing and selling an existing home by a certain date. If the contingencies aren’t met, you have the option to approach the buyer about renegotiating the terms of their contract, which is something we can facilitate.

BUYERS WITH PRE-APPROVAL.

We always suggest that our clients give priority to prospective buyers who have a lender’s written loan commitment, approval letter, or pre-approval. These buyers have a better chance of moving forward with a deal than someone with only a pre-qualification letter.

Close of Escrow

CLOSING DAY.

When you are approaching closing day, you’ve almost achieved your goal of selling your home. There are just a few loose ends to tie up:

FINAL WALK-THROUGH & INSPECTION.

In most cases, the final walk-through is a formality. The buyers will inspect the property one last time to make sure it aligns with the agreement. For example, is the home move-in ready and did you leave the appliances as agreed?

CANCEL UTILITIES & HOME SERVICES.

Prior to closing, we will furnish you with a list of useful local numbers that you can use to terminate utilities and local services.

CLOSING.

As your closing date approaches, the closing agent will provide you with a settlement statement that outlines the financial details of your transaction. You will sign this statement at closing or in advance of the agreed date.

It’s not uncommon for unforeseen events to create issues with a home sale. There is nothing to worry about if this happens. We have plenty of experience handling these matters on our client’s behalf.

You should make arrangements to give the keys to the closing agent as well as any other home documentation that you wish to transfer to the new owner. When the closing is complete, you will receive any outstanding funds due either via check or wire transfer.