Selling Your Home Step 2
Now that your home is ready, it's time to put your home on the market.
You'll want to meet with a few real estate agents, as everyone has their own style. Some (like myself) offer additional services to you that some other agents will not provide.
The appointment where you list your home is full of a lot of important information. Your agent will show you some homes in your area that have recently sold (and what they sold for), and similar homes that are on the market. You'll discuss how yours is the same, how it's different, and what would be a reasonable asking price. Your agent will also provide you with a "net sheet" which will spell out the fees associated with the transaction and what you can expect at the settlement table. It will detail which fees are paid by the seller, and which ones are the buyer's responsibility.
You'll fill out a contract called a listing agreement, which list out the terms that you are offering the buyers of your home, including disclosures that spell out things like what is staying with the home. There's a bunch of forms that will need to be filled out, and all of them will be explained by your realtor. Remember, this is a legal transaction, so these forms will protect you and spell out your rights as you journey through this process. If at any time you do not understand what the forms are you're supposed to sign, stop and ask your realtor. He or she will explain what the form means, and why it's important.
Once all the forms are signed, your realtor will arrange for pictures to be taken of your home. Your home will be put into the Multiple Listing Service(MLS), which will let other agents know the home is for sale. From the MLS, other online agencies will pick up the listing as well, like Realtor.com, Zillow, etc. You will also get a sign put in your front yard, and a lockbox on your front door with your spare key locked inside.
If you've made it to this point, Congratulations! You've officially put your house up for sale!
You'll want to meet with a few real estate agents, as everyone has their own style. Some (like myself) offer additional services to you that some other agents will not provide.
The appointment where you list your home is full of a lot of important information. Your agent will show you some homes in your area that have recently sold (and what they sold for), and similar homes that are on the market. You'll discuss how yours is the same, how it's different, and what would be a reasonable asking price. Your agent will also provide you with a "net sheet" which will spell out the fees associated with the transaction and what you can expect at the settlement table. It will detail which fees are paid by the seller, and which ones are the buyer's responsibility.
You'll fill out a contract called a listing agreement, which list out the terms that you are offering the buyers of your home, including disclosures that spell out things like what is staying with the home. There's a bunch of forms that will need to be filled out, and all of them will be explained by your realtor. Remember, this is a legal transaction, so these forms will protect you and spell out your rights as you journey through this process. If at any time you do not understand what the forms are you're supposed to sign, stop and ask your realtor. He or she will explain what the form means, and why it's important.
Once all the forms are signed, your realtor will arrange for pictures to be taken of your home. Your home will be put into the Multiple Listing Service(MLS), which will let other agents know the home is for sale. From the MLS, other online agencies will pick up the listing as well, like Realtor.com, Zillow, etc. You will also get a sign put in your front yard, and a lockbox on your front door with your spare key locked inside.
If you've made it to this point, Congratulations! You've officially put your house up for sale!
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