Selling Your Home

Navigating the competitive Memphis real estate market takes experience and creativity. Throughout the process, I'll be right at your side. We will talk about curb appeal, marketing options, and negotiation strategy; all to make sure you achieve your financial goals. Your partner in the sale, I will make sure you not only stay informed every step of the way but that you fully understand how each decision will impact you so you can make the best choices possible.

How It Works

01—

Evaluating Your Home

I can't wait to see your home! During our tour, we will talk through the special features of the property along with anything that could detract from its value. We will discuss possible staging or upgrade options that can add to the appeal of the home. This is also the time when it's important to discuss any significant problems with the condition of the home so that we can either address them upfront or provide disclosure to potential buyers.

02—

Choosing An Asking Price

Before you decide on an asking price, there is a multitude of things to consider; location, condition, age, market conditions are just a few factors to consider. Your personal situation is also a necessary component. How quickly you need to sell can also factor into the price as well as housing inventory in the area. I will provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) which we will review together and I will help you understand where to position the home in the current climate.

03—

Getting Market Ready

You probably know the term "curb appeal." This is where curb appeal comes into play. More than simply planting pretty flowers in the front yard, every portion of the home should be examined to make sure the home shows in its best light. If necessary, a professional stager can be brought to help declutter and help rooms look larger, brighter, and more polished. Any deferred maintenance or yard clean-up should be addressed as well.

04—

Listing Your Home

Once you and the home are ready, we will list the home. I will arrange for a professional photographer and create a listing for the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). Through the MLS, your home will be advertised nationally through the major search sites as well as locally to individual broker and agent websites. Rest assured that any buyer whose search criteria matches your home will see the listing, thereby increasing exposure and putting your home in front of the right buyers.

05—

Home Showings

Here we go! The home looks great and we're ready to welcome buyers to tour the property. We will also discuss the value of open houses. Buyers and their agents will make an appointment and it is best if you are not present for the showings. By employing a few tricks to neaten the home quickly, you can avoid the stress of keeping the house show-ready all the time. Don't worry; I have a few tips to help you.

06—

Receiving Offers

I love calling my sellers to tell them we have an offer; even better when we have multiple offers to review. We will sit down together and discuss the offer and all the aspects that will affect your decision. Sales price, length of contract, and contingencies are just a few of the items that should weigh in your mind as you choose the right offer. The buyer must also submit a pre-approval letter from their lender to demonstrate they are qualified to buy your home at the price they offer. For any offer, you can accept as-is, reject as unacceptable, or send a counteroffer for the price, the terms, or both. Once all parties are in agreement, we will be under contract.

07—

Appraisal & Inspection

Once we are under contract, most of the work belongs to the buyer's side. They will apply for their final loan approval and their lender will order a professional appraiser to assess the fair market value of your home. The buyers will also arrange to have the home professionally inspected to determine the home's condition. Depending on the outcome of these reports, we may be asked to either adjust the sales price or make repairs. If this happens, we will again discuss your options and respond to the buyers with either an acceptance or further negotiations. If the requests are unreasonable, we might reject the requests altogether, but remember that this may cause the buyer to cancel the sale.

08—

Closing

The closing day is finally here! You will sign the required paperwork and once the title company transfers the proceeds of the sale into your bank account, you will have officially sold your home and can move onto your next place. Congratulations!

Seller Checklist

Purge everything - Clean all areas of the property. Clean out closets, storage spaces, drawers, and the garage; remove anything you no longer need or want.
Rent a Storage Unit - Many moving companies will store boxes for you ahead of time, consider moving unneeded day-to-day items early to showcase the extra storage in the home. Sell, donate, or trash anything you no longer want.
Hire a Handyman - Fix leaky faucets and squeaky doors or windows, replace missing blinds, and take care of the deferred maintenance issues now.
Deep Clean - Clean everything; hire a team of deep cleaners to reach inside drawers, appliances, baseboards, windows, and much more.
Curb Appeal – Use a critical eye on the exterior of the home; remove debris, leaves, and trash. Clean gutters and repair chipped paint or trim. Make sure there is adequate lighting and that plantings are fresh and pretty.

Freshen the Look – Consider current décor trends and update if needed with a trendy new bedspread or some pillows in modern colors.
Set the Scene - Tidy the home and yard for the shoot. Check the lighting so the rooms look bright. Remove any extra décor or furniture which makes the home look cluttered.
Hire a Professional – A professional stager is worth the price. They will work with the design of your home to move furniture, add details, and even rent furnishings if necessary.

Clean Everything – Buyers will open every drawer and open every closet door or cupboard; make sure they find it neat and clean.
Leave it Ready – While most of the time you’ll have plenty of notice, last-minute showings can happen. Make sure the home is ready every time you leave the home.
Air Out the Home – Pet odors or last night’s cooking can linger in the home for much longer than you might think. Keep the home aired out and address any chronic scents with air filters or professional treatments.
Have a Welcoming Environment – Before you head out, make sure the home is ready for your buyers. Set the thermostat to a comfortable level, open blinds, turn on lights, and consider some soft music. Forget the overpowering room scents which often are too strong and actually have a negative effect.

Clean – As with every other aspect of selling a home, cleaning is critical. Help the appraisal see the beauty of your home and its unique features.
Accent the View – If your property has a beautiful view or spacious yard, make sure it shows that way. Even though the appraiser will have access to the public records, seeing the view in person can only help.
Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Make sure the home has functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in place or the appraiser will need to return once they are properly placed.

Make any Negotiated Repairs – If after the home inspection the buyer requested repairs, make sure they are done and you have provided the receipts.
Clean Everything Again – Selling a home is a cleaning experience and the final walk-through is no different; even in the middle of packing, try to have the home as clean as possible.
Touch-Up New Damage – Check the home for new damage of any kind. During the packing, you might have nicked the doorway or scraped some paint off the handrail, check for damage and make repairs before the walk-through.
Repair Wall Holes – Patch and paint holes left from pictures or TV mounts.

I Can Sell Your Home!

If you're thinking about selling your home, let's talk about how I can help you get the best offer possible. Get started today by requesting a comparable market analysis to help you understand the value of your home in today's market!

Questions? Get In Touch!