Seller Services I Provide
As your Realtor, I offer comprehensive services to ensure a smooth, well-handled transaction. As your trusted advisor, skilled negotiator, and expert facilitator, I can save you money and time in all phases of the home sale transaction.
Marketing Phase
Legal Essentials
- Research available ownership information
- Get copy of survey for use in brochure (a new one will need to be ordered when we get buyer)
- Review all available current title, tax, and mortgage information
Home Essentials
- Create a current comparative market analysis (CMA) going back no more than six months, as this is the timeline appraisers use
- Obtain a list of amenities, property inclusions/exclusions, repairs, and improvements
- Gather all transferable warranties for appliances, roofing, heating systems, foundations, air conditioning, etc.
- Discuss a home warranty, pre-listing inspection and pre-listing cleaning service
- If home or any rooms are vacant, discuss virtual staging
- Offer my home staging services as an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP)
- Obtain average utility figures for summer and winter
- Confirm about the sewer/septic and water/well systems
- Verify security system terms and costs, if necessary
- If condo or townhome, the following information is needed:
- Verify assessment and status
- Homeowner association manager contact information
- Review what is covered by homeowner association fees
- Copy of condo docs, bylaws, and budget
Listing the Home
- Go over in detail the entire listing agreement and disclosures
- Show how the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago marketing philosophy benefits sellers combined with my customized marketing plan for your home
- Discuss any improvements needed inside and out, including landscaping and curb appeal
- Order virtual tour from my professional photographer of over 30 years, which includes aerial and twilight shots, if desired
- If any photos are to be virtually staged, send those to the stager
- Order floor plan, 3D/interactive if necessary
- Compose listing copy for MLS with proof sent for your approval
- Once approved, submit listing, photos, and features to MLS and online real estate sites
- Prepare marketing brochure, which includes photos, survey, and floor plan, and send for your final approval
Marketing the Home
- Place approved listings and brochures in home for agents and potential buyers
- Notify you of all showings and provide immediately all received feedback
- Send just listed cards out to 300-500 homes in the immediate area
- Place print and online advertising
- E-flyer sent to local agents announcing the home for sale
- Order extensive social media campaign that includes Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Waze
- Communicate regularly with you to discuss marketing and pricing
- Email you new comparable sales as necessary, as price adjustment may be necessary
Negotiation Phase
Offer Phase
- Upon receipt of an offer, I will notify you and any agents who have interested clients
- Verify buyer’s qualifications and offer with buyer’s agent
- Review offer with you
- Present all needed forms to all parties to complete the sale
- Negotiate and oversee the countering, amending, and acceptance of the offer
- Ensure you, your attorney, and buyer’s agent have copies of signed contract
- Make sure all contract deadlines are met: delivery of earnest money, inspection, attorney approval, and any mortgage contingency in order to ensure a smooth, well-handled transaction
Pre-Closing and Closing Phases
- Coordinate when home will be vacant and all personal items removed
- If paint, extra tile or carpeting, etc. is left over, ask buyer’s agent if these should be left behind. (If paint is not wanted, special arrangements need to be made for disposal.)
- Home needs to be in ‘broom clean’ condition after vacating. Discuss if a cleaning service is necessary
- 48 hours prior to the closing, buyer’s agent will schedule the final walk-thru
- Attend closing and ensure all goes smoothly
- Open bottle of champagne!