Selling

Seller’s Guide by Debra Hornbecker

Welcome to the Selling Process with Debra Hornbecker

As an experienced Realtor® with a proven track record of helping homeowners successfully sell their properties, I’m here to make your selling experience smooth, efficient, and profitable. Whether you’re selling your first home or you’re a seasoned seller, my goal is to guide you every step of the way, ensuring you feel confident and informed throughout the process.

This Seller’s Guide outlines key steps in the selling process, from preparing your home to closing the deal. Let’s get started!

1. Initial Consultation and Pricing Strategy

Before we list your home, I’ll schedule an initial consultation to discuss your goals, timeline, and any specific concerns. During this meeting, we’ll focus on:

  • Market Conditions: I’ll provide a detailed analysis of the current market conditions in your area, which will help us understand your home’s position relative to comparable properties.
  • Home Valuation: We’ll determine a competitive listing price by evaluating comparable properties (comps), recent sales data, and buyer demand.
  • Timeline: We’ll review your ideal selling timeframe and ensure we create a plan that aligns with your needs.

2. Preparing Your Home for Sale

A well-prepared home sells faster and for a higher price. Here’s how we’ll get your home ready:

  • Staging Your Home: First impressions matter! We’ll discuss whether staging is right for your home. I can recommend professional staging services or offer practical tips on decluttering and enhancing your home’s appeal.
  • Repairs & Upgrades: I’ll help you prioritize small repairs or improvements that will make a big impact on buyers. From fresh paint to minor landscaping, these fixes can boost your home’s value.
  • Professional Photography: I am lucky enough to have a top award winning commercial photographer at my disposal to shoot stills and video of your home. While most other real estate photographers quickly sweep through large homes in an hour, my dedicated photographer takes the time to capture the right light and all of the shots that we may utilize in making your home look it’s best. It is not uncommon for my clients to cry when they see what we’ve done to illustrate the beauty of their homes in the listing photos.

3. Listing and Marketing Your Home

Once your home is ready, we’ll launch an aggressive marketing campaign to generate interest. This includes:

  • MLS Listing: Your home will be listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), ensuring it is seen by thousands of real estate agents and buyers.
  • Online Marketing: I will feature your listing on all major real estate platforms, including Zillow, Realtor.com, and others, as well as my personal website and social media channels.
  • Open Houses & Showings: We’ll schedule open houses and private showings to maximize exposure. I’ll also manage all inquiries and coordinate appointments.

4. Negotiating Offers

When offers start coming in, I’ll guide you through the process with expert negotiation skills. I will:

  • Review Offers: We’ll review each offer carefully, considering the price, contingencies, closing timeline, and the buyer’s financial strength.
  • Negotiate: I’ll negotiate on your behalf to ensure you get the best possible terms, whether it’s price, contingencies, or closing dates.
  • Counter Offers: If necessary, we’ll make counteroffers to secure better terms or address any issues.

5. Under Contract: Navigating Inspections & Appraisals

Once we’ve accepted an offer, we’ll move into the “under contract” phase. Here’s what happens:

  • Home Inspections: The buyer may schedule an inspection of your home. If issues arise, I’ll help you negotiate repairs, credits, or price adjustments as needed.
  • Appraisal: The buyer’s lender will order an appraisal to determine the market value of your home. If the appraisal comes in low, I’ll help you navigate this potential challenge.
  • Closing Coordination: I’ll work closely with the buyer’s agent, lender, and title company to ensure everything is moving smoothly towards the closing table.

6. Closing the Deal

The final step in the process is closing, where the sale is finalized. I will:

  • Review Closing Documents: I’ll ensure all the necessary paperwork is in order and that you understand every step of the closing process.
  • Final Walkthrough: The buyer will likely schedule a final walkthrough of the property to ensure everything is in the agreed-upon condition.
  • Closing Day: On closing day, we’ll meet at the title company to sign the necessary documents, and you’ll receive your proceeds from the sale.