The move from one residence to another does not happen overnight; it takes planning, preparation and time to execute the three phases of selling one home and purchasing a replacement property.
Phase One: Once the decision to sell is made it is time for the pre-sale planning and property preparation to begin. This is the time to engage the services of a real estate professional. An agent can provide you with recent sales and current listings in your neighborhood. It is important to know the neighborhood real estate comps for precision pricing of your property. If your price is too high it will languish on the market for months. On the other hand, you deserve to receive the highest value the current market will support. An agent will review recent market activity with you and based on the condition and location of your home will offer a suggested list price.
The agent will also offer suggestions on improvements to increase the appeal and value of your property. Fresh paint and new carpet are transformational changes. Clean windows are a more subtle improvement but will add additional light and sparkle to every room. A room by room approach will create a pre-sale "To Do" list that will not only please prospective buyers but maximize the desirability and value of your home.
Phase Two: Marketing your home begins the moment it is listed on the MLS and your agent sends it viral on the Internet. It takes new techie knowledge and old school tired and true methods to sell a house in today's slower market. A savvy agent will employ a variety of marketing tools to ensure all prospective buyers are reached one way or another.
Phase Two requires excellent communication and negotiations skills. Follow up and follow through will increase the likelihood your property will sell faster and at a higher price.
Phase Three: Once an offer is accepted it is time to open escrow and begin the inspections and complete all disclosures and a plethora of California Association of Realtors requirements. From rooftop to basement your home will be poked and prodded with each discovery being documented.
The escrow period is typically 30 to 60 days but may vary from sale to sale depending upon circumstances of the parties involved in the sale and purchase. As the sale nears completion the seller must finalize moving arrangements. If another home is being purchased the closings must be fine tuned to coincide and often requires some amazing juggling on behalf of agents, seller and buyer.
When selecting an agent to guide you through the process of selling make sure it is a professional you trust and is responsive to your requests and questions. It takes several months to move from the idea of moving to the completion of the sale. I like to tell my clients, "I am your new best friend for the next few months, and I'll do my best to make sure we enjoy our time together."
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PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
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