Seller's Guide

A Step-by-Step First Time Seller's Guide

Putting your home on the market can be a stressful process, especially when you don’t know what to expect. Fortunately, with the help of an experienced team of real estate agents and this easy to follow guide, you can smoothly complete the process. Following these steps will help you prepare so you can get organized and sell your home for the best price possible.​​​​​​​

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STEP 1: UNDERSTANDING YOUR PRIORITIES FOR SELLING

What are your objectives regarding the sale of your home? Perhaps you have an urgent need to relocation, looking to downsize, need more room, etc..? Identifying your priorities enables you to tailor your selling approach accordingly. For instance, if expediency is paramount, pricing your home competitively might be advisable compared to aiming for a particular profit margin. It's essential to communicate these objectives clearly to our team of real estate agents so they can adjust their strategies and pricing recommendations accordingly.

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STEP 2: REVIEW COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS

Determining the appropriate price for your home stands as a pivotal aspect of the selling endeavor. Establishing a fair and realistic price from the outset garners heightened interest from both real estate professionals and potential buyers. Conversely, overpricing may deter interest, while underpricing risks undervaluing your property. Engaging with a member of our experienced team provides the optimal pathway to ascertain the ideal selling price. Leveraging their expertise, these professionals analyze comparable sales, assess prevailing market conditions, and may recommend a comprehensive home appraisal to ensure accuracy in pricing.

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STEP 3: DEVELOP A MARKETING STRATEGY

We will craft a tailored marketing strategy designed specifically to showcase your home effectively. This comprehensive approach encompasses listing your property and subsequently directing targeted traffic to the listing through various channels such as digital campaigns including social media, agent-to-agent referrals, traditional print media placements, and SEO advertising initiatives. Our team specializes in creating dynamic marketing campaigns that maximize exposure and generate interest in your property.

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STEP 4: PRE MARKET PREPARATIONS

Upon determining the appropriate pricing, the next crucial step is preparing your home for showcasing to potential buyers. This entails decluttering the space, depersonalizing it to allow prospective buyers to envision themselves living in the home, addressing minor repairs, and conducting a thorough deep clean to ensure your property presents itself in pristine condition and in some cases, staging. These meticulous preparations significantly enhance the appeal of your home and contribute to a positive first impression, potentially accelerating the sale process. Need help preparing your home? Whether it's a painter, mover, or cleaner we have relationships that we can share to help get you started.

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STEP 5: LIVE ON THE MLS

Professional photography, including interior and exterior images, as well as twilight and drone photos (when applicable), plus video content is the last step before going live. The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) gives a property the broadest exposure. Between the Hudson Valley Catskill Regional MLS and One Key MLS, your property is shared with over 45,000 agents from Ulster County, Dutchess County, through NYC borrows and Long Island. Once live, the marketing plan is executed and the advertising gets rolled out.

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STEP 6: EVALUATE OFFER(S)

Receiving an offer marks a significant milestone in the real estate journey. However, the process continues as we meticulously evaluate each offer. Our priority is ensuring that the offering party is prequalified by a reputable mortgage lender, or provides proof of funds for a cash offer, paying close attention to contingencies, dates, deposit amount, etc. to attain the best possible terms and price. Our objective is to navigate negotiations skillfully to secure the most favorable outcome for you. Once you’ve accepted an offer, we can expect a home inspection to be conducted. Here again, our negotiation skills may required. Once, any item is resolved after the home inspection, the seller’s attorney drafts contracts for the buyer to sign and provide the down payment funds.

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STEP 7: THE ROAD TO A CLOSING

Once contracts are executed, the buyer completes their loan process, when applicable. Title/Municipals are ordered (can take up to 3 weeks). If the buyer is financing, an appraisal will be scheduled and once the appraisal in submitted, a loan commitment can be issued. In some cases, the title company or the lender could require a survey. If financed, once the bank clears the loan to close, a closing date can be set. If a cash offer, then once title/municipals are complete a closing can be scheduled.

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STEP 8: CLOSING

You’ve reached the last step in the seller’s process! Once a date is set, you can call the electric company and any other vendors that service the property and alert them to the change in ownership. Give them the date of the closing so that they can prepare for the buyer to call and arrange for services. On the day of the closing, the buyer will conduct a pre-closing walk-through.

Congratulations!

Once you have sold your home, you’re free to take the next step on your journey. Whether this is relocating to a new city, moving into a larger home, or downsizing and enjoying your life as empty-nesters, knowing all your selling responsibilities have been taken care of will help you achieve peace of mind for your new path.

Testimonials

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  • Donna went above and beyond to make sure we had the best possible service and continues to be someone that we’re excited to work with!
    — Simon C., buyer
  • I cannot imagine a real estate professional better than Harris. He has comprehensive knowledge of the market. He is completely responsive to the preferences and needs of his clients. He is thoughtful, careful, and wise. And he cares about his clients as people. He is the best, period.
    — Trevor M.
  • Jack is the best. He was sensitive to our needs. He responded quickly to questions and was a very accessible, helpful, and knowledgeable professional.
    — Buyer
  • I would highly recommend Jesse, I've even already given his info to several friends thinking about buying upstate. I had a lot of questions and needed a lot of guidance buying my first house and he answered everything and walked me through step by step without it seeming complicated at all. I could trust everything was moving as it should and on the way he had plenty of local recommendations for other services I needed. It was a great experience and I genuinely don't have complaints.
    — Kelsey S.
  • Working with Hayes to buy a house in Kingston has been a completely positive experience, from start to finish. He was genuinely, deeply, and personally committed to us finding the right property, and patiently guided us through lots of house visits until we found the right one. Not only is Hayes highly knowledgeable about real estate and the area, but he is also fun, kind, and highly professional. We recommend him for his expertise and insight, and because he is just great in every way.
    — Buyer
  • After living in Rhinebeck for over 30 years, I ended up selling my home which I loved. But as I have been living abroad, it made sense and covid helped me decide. Bryn was amazing as she kept in touch with me and helped guide me through all the intricacies of paperwork and payments which when living outside the USA is twice as stressful as a normal home sale. She was supportive, helpful, and understanding. I recommend her with enthusiasm and totally appreciate all that she did for me in the process of selling my home.
    — Linda R.
  • Julie is knowledgable and really understands the emotions one goes through when selling one's home! That is priceless.
    — Marthe R.
  • It’s not just the properties she helps me find and buy, it’s her integrity and insight to avoid unnecessary risks that really set her apart. I never feel like I’m making a transaction with Donna. I always feel like she’s building a sustainable long-term relationship with me.
    — Tom P.
  • We were tough buyers with a lot of priorities, not only did Leigh not give up on us, she nailed it! We are so happy with our new home and we're so glad to have worked with such a respectful, knowledgeable realtor like Leigh, highly recommend it!
    — Buyer
  • I'll make this very simple for any reader....Harris is the best real agent person you will ever meet. He is just in another world from any one else. Harris will spend the right amount of time to get to know you so as to steer you toward the right house, in the right location for you, for the now, and for the long term. We have been in our new house six months now. It has been our great fortune and pleasure that he has become a close and trusted friend, a part of our family, who has helped quickly become part of our new community.
    — Buyer
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Unlock Upstate Team

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