CUSTOM STEP-BY-STEP HOME SELLERS GUIDE
Selling your home is a major milestone, and being prepared can make the process smoother and more rewarding. To guide you through this important journey, we’ve created a step-by-step seller’s guide that will outline what to expect, reduce uncertainty, and help you move forward with confidence.
Step 1: Clarify Your Goals For Selling
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Before listing your home, it’s important to define what you want to achieve. Are you hoping to maximize your profit to put toward a new home, or is selling quickly your top priority due to a relocation or life change? Knowing your goals upfront will guide key decisions, such as how to price your property and how to approach negotiations. Be sure to share these objectives with your real estate agent so they can tailor a strategy that aligns with your needs and helps you reach the outcome you’re looking for.
Step 2: Set The Right Price
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Pricing your home correctly from the start is crucial to attracting serious buyers and generating strong interest. A price that’s too high can cause your home to sit on the market, while a price that’s too low may leave money on the table. The best way to find the right balance is by working with an experienced real estate agent. They’ll analyze comparable sales in your area, review current market trends, and may recommend a professional appraisal to help ensure your home is positioned competitively for the best results.
Step 3: Prepare Your Home
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Once you’ve set your price, it’s time to prepare your home for potential buyers. Most homes need a little work before hitting the market—whether that’s decluttering, removing personal items so buyers can picture themselves living there, tackling minor repairs, or giving everything a thorough deep clean. The goal is to present your home in its best possible light, creating a welcoming, move-in-ready feel that makes a strong first impression.
Step 4: Create A Custom Marketing Plan
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A strong marketing strategy is key to getting your home in front of the right buyers. This includes listing your property and promoting it through multiple channels, such as social media, agent networks, traditional advertising, and online search visibility. The goal is to generate maximum exposure—especially in the critical first few weeks on the market—so your home attracts as much interest as possible and stands out from the competition.
Step 5: Review And Negotiate Offers
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Getting an offer on your home is exciting, but it’s also just the beginning of the negotiation process. Each offer should be carefully reviewed to ensure the buyer is financially qualified and that the terms align with your goals. If an offer comes in lower than expected, you have options—such as countering the price, adjusting the move-in timeline, offering to cover certain closing costs, or including appliances or fixtures. The goal is to find common ground that satisfies both you and the buyer while keeping the sale moving forward.
Step 6: Review And Finalize Offer
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After determining that an offer meets your expectations, I will carefully examine the contract to ensure it includes all essential elements, such as the deposit, down payment, financing details, inspection and repair provisions, contingencies, closing date, and any applicable fees with designated payers. Once both parties are in agreement on the terms, your agent will prepare the finalized contract for signatures.
Step 7: Prepare For Closing​
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Once an offer has been accepted, you’re nearing the final stages of selling your home. Before closing, both you and the buyer need to compile a list of tasks to complete. This may include inspections, surveys, appraisals, or completing any necessary repairs. I will coordinate these efforts, ensuring each item is handled correctly, costs are assigned to the appropriate party, and everything is on track for the closing date. A few days prior, we will confirm with the closing company that all paperwork and requirements are in place. Additionally, if not already arranged, you will need to plan your move so the buyer can take possession of the property as scheduled.
Step 8: Finalize The Sale
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This is the final stage of the selling process. Closing officially transfers ownership of your home to the buyer. I will meet with the closing company to review and sign all remaining documents and address any outstanding issues. At this time, you can also coordinate with your real estate agents to take care of final tasks, such as canceling utilities, cable, and other services, updating account names for services the new owner will continue, and providing instructions for any appliances that will stay with the home.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR HOME SALE!
Once all the final documents are signed, the sale of your home is complete! It may take a few days for the buyer’s funds to be processed, but once the payment is received, the transaction is officially closed, and you can hand over the keys and move on to your next adventure.
The Real Estate Of Mind Co. LLC
​408 S Lafayette Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48067​
(586) 991-1667
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Sine & Monaghan Realtors
​408 S Lafayette Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48067
All information provided herein has been obtained from sources believed reliable, but may be subject to errors, omissions, change of price, prior sale, or withdrawal without notice. Christie’s International Real Estate and its affiliates make no representation, warranty or guaranty as to accuracy of any information contained herein. You should consult your advisors for an independent verification of any properties.
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