Last Updated on March 29, 2022 by Kathy Rukat Smith
Selling a home comes with many steps and it can be stressful. My job is to make the task of selling your home painless and as stress free as possible. I do this by breaking down selling a home into 4 phases with multiple items in each phase. I check some of those items off the to do list, but many of the items you need to complete. I let you know what to do when so you are not overwhelmed and everything gets done.
4 Phases of Selling a Home
Preparing Your Home for Sale
This stage may be the most intense and tedious, but getting through this phase helps us move through the next phases easily.
The first thing we need to do is get the necessary paperwork completed. I will get together all of the listing paperwork that is legally required by the state and required by my broker. This paperwork can be signed in-person or electronically. I will also ask that you work with your HOA company to receive copies of your HOA documents. In Episode 33, I discussed specifically why this is important and I will link that episode in the notes.
During this time you will also need to get the house cleaned, prepped and ready for pictures. If any repairs need to be made, staging done, curb appeal updated or projects finished, this is the time to do it. Any pre-listing inspections will be done during this time as well. If you run tight on time, we can push back the photography date and listing date. We want to make sure your house is in tip top shape to be listed.
This video was originally recorded in 2022 during a strong sellers’ market. Because of that, we will discuss how to best manage multiple showings in a short amount of time, receiving multiple offers and choosing the best offer.
Marketing Your Home
Once your house is prepped, we move into the marketing your home phase. Pictures and videos will be scheduled with my professional photographer.
The pictures and videos taken will be used for the MLS as well as to create several marketing pieces focusing on online marketing. I will start working on the MLS listing, marketing narrative, property website and social media marketing. The marketing of your home will continue while your home is actively listed for sale, once we receive a contract and once closed.
On the Market
Once your home is on the market, showings will begin as we have discussed. You will be personally notified of showings and any feedback that is received from the showing agents.
I will also launch social media updates, online advertising, contact buyers that may be interested in your home and agents that may have buyers interested in your home. You can freely share any of my social media posts with your friends and family.
During the on the market phase of selling a home, you will also be receiving offers and we will be negotiating those offers. I will work with your to accept the best offer for your situation.
Under Contract to Closing
The final phase of selling a home occurs once you have accepted an offer and you are moving towards closing on your home and moving. During this phase, it is easy to get overwhelmed as you deal with inspections, the appraisal, repairs, buyer financing approval, the walk-through and closing. You may also be dealing with purchasing another home. My job in this phase is to stay on top of the transaction, let you know what will happen and when, to keep problems at a minimum but help problem solve if issues occur. Our ultimate goal is to have you close on your home, turn over the keys to the new homeowner and have your receive your proceeds.
My hope is by breaking down the large task of selling a home into the more manageable four phases of selling a home, I help you know what to focus on at what time, and you are able to move through the process of selling a home feeling less stress.
As always, contact me if you are interested in buying or selling in Murrells Inlet or the surrounding area or if you are interested in learning more about living at the beach.