Home Selling Guide
Selling Your Home Guide
You’re ready to sell your property. And, while you’re looking forward to seeing the word “SOLD” posted from the curb, you know there’s a lot to consider along the way. One of your first decisions is to select a real estate company and real estate agent who’ll join you in the process.
Manage Viewings
Once you’ve chosen your Keller Williams agent, and together have prepped your house for sale and set a price, you’re ready for the public to see your home.
What is a viewing?
How do I prepare my house for a viewing?
Your KW agent is a great source of advice on specifics for your home preparations so that your house is positioned competitively in the market. Preparations will likely include two phases. During phase one, before photos are taken and before the first viewing, you should:
- Clean deeply.
- Paint some or all of your house.
- Do minor repairs such as caulking tubs and windows.
- Make major repairs – if needed and in your budget, such as replacing your counters or appliances.
- Stage your furniture to showcase your home’s best features.
- Remove personal items such as family photos.
- Declutter every surface and storage space.
- Reorganize your closets and pack excess items.
- Eliminate odors by cleaning the fireplace or pulling out musty rugs.
- Add a color scheme with rugs or pillows if needed to warm up your home.
- Upgrade your lighting or light bulbs to make your rooms brighter.
- Spruce up the landscaping.
- Power-wash your decks and sidewalks if needed.
What can I expect when people view my house?
Three important things you can do to help get your house sold are:
- Leave when your house is being shown. Buyers prefer to look at homes when they can move around freely and the owners aren’t there.
- Make your house as available as possible. While it may be inconvenient to show your home at dinnertime or on weekends, buyers who can’t see a property when they’re eager may cross it off their list.
- Listen to any feedback from buyers or agents about ways you can make your home more appealing.
Always coordinate with your Keller Williams agent for maximum exposure and a faster sale.
Review Offers
Congratulations! You received a message from your KW agent that you have an offer on your home. Now you need to evaluate that offer and decide how to respond.
What is an offer?
An offer to buy your home is a verbal agreement from your potential buyer that includes:
- The amount of the offer
- An explanation of how the buyers will pay, such as cash or a pre-approval for financing
- The terms – such as the sale of the buyers’ house, a final mortgage approval, a satisfactory home inspection and an appraisal
- A target date for completion
- A time limit for the offer
How do I evaluate each offer?
When you receive an offer to buy your home, you and your Keller Williams agent should review it and consider whether you want to accept it. Whether you have one offer or several, you and your agent will look at:
- The amount offered
- Where the funds are coming from, such as all-cash or a reputable lender,
- The proposed completion date to see if it aligns with your needs
- Any special requests for items to convey or for special inspections
What happens if I receive multiple offers?
If you receive multiple offers, your KW agent can advise you on one of these options:
- Accept the best offer. If one offer stands out above the rest, you can accept that one right away. But be careful not to be swayed by a high offer if the financing seems uncertain.
- Counter all the offers to get a better price and terms. You can ask all potential buyers to give you their best offer by a certain deadline.
- Counter one offer that’s close to what you want. If you like one offer but think the buyers could do a little better, you can send them a counteroffer to see if they’ll accept it.
You and the buyers can negotiate until you both agree on the final contract. Your Keller Williams agent is your best ally during the negotiations and is equipped with the data and knowledge to guide you.
Prepare for Inspection
Most buyers request a home inspection as a condition of their offer. While a home inspector will dig more deeply into your home than a buyer, the preparation you made before your first viewing should help you get ready for the inspection. Your Keller Williams agent can give you personalised advice, too.
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a thorough review of your home’s structure and systems by a professional home inspector. Buyers can use the inspection report to decide to rescind their offer if a major issue is uncovered or to request repairs if the contract is contingent on a satisfactory report..
What is looked at during a home inspection?
The inspector will check:
- Structural conditions such as the foundation, beams and floors
- Roof condition
- Mechanical systems such as boiler systems
- Appliances – to make sure they’re working, although some inspectors skip appliances that are not built-in
- Plumbing – for leaks, rust and water pressure
- Electrical systems such as grounded outlets and code violations
- Safety issues such as stairs, handrails, mold or chimney maintenance
What’s not looked at during a home inspection?
Inspectors won’t check some items that are unusual or inaccessible, such as:
- Septic systems
- Wells
- Underground pipes and sprinkler systems
- Swimming pools and spas
- Playground equipment
How should I prepare for an inspection?
Before the home inspector arrives, you should:
- Clean your house.
- Remove or crate your pets.
- Make sure all your light bulbs work.
- Empty your washing machine, dryer, oven, and dishwasher – in case they are inspected.
- Make sure everything is accessible, including your attic, a crawlspace, your garage and any sheds.
- Leave a note if anything doesn’t work and explain that you’re getting it fixed.
- Provide documents about maintenance and repairs.
- Leave your cell phone number for the inspector.
- Leave the house.
What happens now?
Once the inspection report has been generated, you and your KW agent can discuss how to handle any possible issues the buyers mention. You can negotiate with the buyers, decide to fix an item, provide money for the buyers to fix it themselves or provide documentation that the problem has already been addressed. Your Keller Williams agent can help you handle any inspection issues.
Completion
What should I do before the completion?
Before the completion day, you’ll need to:
- Gather all appliance manuals and warranties for your buyers.
- Hire a mover.
- Cancel all utilities for the day after you move.
- Change your address.
- Clean the house.
- Prepare for the buyers’ final walk-through
What can I expect when we complete?
Sellers may or may not attend the completion, so you should consult your KW agent to decide what’s best. You can sign all documents before the official completion. Sellers’ expenses, which are deducted from the proceeds of the sale, include:
- Final balance on your mortgage
- Real estate commissions
What’s next?
After the completion, you’ll:
- Receive the proceeds from the sale, usually by wire transfer.
- Cancel your homeowner’s insurance “post-completion” – to make sure you’re covered on that day.
- Save your completion records for taxes.
Congratulations! You can shake hands with your Keller Williams agent: you’ve successfully sold your home.