STEP 1

Get Your Home Ready to Wow Buyers

Buyers form opinions the moment they see your home. Unless they’re specifically in the market for a fixer-upper, most buyers are drawn to homes that are clean, well-maintained, and free of clutter. Even small repairs and upgrades can make a big difference in how your home is perceived.

To help you prepare, I’ve outlined my top 5 recommendations for getting both the interior and exterior ready for sale. Since every home is unique, I can come to your property and work with you to create a detailed to-do list. Together, we’ll identify the essential improvements that will make the biggest impact on buyers and highlight any changes that may not be necessary for a successful sale. During our visit, I’ll provide personalized suggestions to ensure your home shines and appeals to potential buyers.

Exterior

1. Repair or Replace Damaged Elements
   Fix or replace any worn or damaged areas, such as the patio, deck, gutters, windows, shutters, storm doors, light fixtures, walkways, fences, and steps.

2. Touch Up or Repaint Exterior
   Refresh the exterior paint with touch-ups or a full repaint if necessary, ensuring your home looks inviting from the outside.

3. Enhance Curb Appeal
   Revitalize your lawn by addressing dry patches, adding colorful flowers, and placing potted plants by the front door to create a welcoming first impression.

4. Power Wash Surfaces
   Give the porch, siding, deck, and patio a thorough power wash to remove dirt and grime, brightening up the home’s exterior.

5. Declutter and Organize the Garage
   Clear out the garage, leaving only room for cars. Discard unnecessary items and organize and clean the space to create an inviting, functional area.

Interior

1. Repair or Replace Damaged Features
   Fix any cracked molding, floor tiles, or leaking faucets and toilets. Tighten loose door knobs, address squeaky hinges, and repair closets, screen doors, or bathroom lighting that may be in disrepair.

2. Touch-Up Paint
   Freshen up paint on walls, ceilings, windows, and trim to restore your home’s interior appearance.

3. Replace Worn Fixtures
   Swap out old or worn switch plates, outlet covers, and vent registers for a more updated look.

4. Tidy Common Areas
   Ensure the entrance, stairs, and hallways are neat and clear. A clean and organized space creates a welcoming atmosphere for potential buyers.

5. Declutter and Pre-Pack
   Remove any clothes, personal items, or belongings you won’t need until after the move. Consider pre-packing and storing items to make your home look more spacious and less cluttered.

STEP 2

Pricing Your Home for Maximum Impact

Your home’s value is determined by what the market is willing to pay at any given time. In today’s market, many buyers have already done extensive research online, viewed multiple properties, and are not in a rush to make a decision. They may even be waiting for the "perfect deal" to come along.

Get a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)

The best way to determine your home’s ideal listing price is through a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). As a real estate professional, I’ll visit your home to assess its condition, size, and any upgrades or unique features. I’ll then compare it to similar properties in your area—both those currently on the market and those that have recently sold—to understand where your home fits in.

Based on this information, I will provide you with a recommended price or price range for listing your home.

If you're ready to get started, simply fill out my quick form by clicking here, and we'll pull comparable properties (comps) and schedule a visit to fine-tune your home's pricing strategy based on its specific features.

STEP 3

Promoting Your Home to the Right Buyers

Successfully marketing your home involves a multi-faceted approach that includes preparation, pricing, presentation, strategic advertising, and networking—all working together to maximize your home’s visibility. The goal is simple: to generate more showings, attract more offers, and ultimately sell your home for top market value.

Where Buyers Find Homes for Sale

In today’s market, the internet is the primary source of home-buying information, with websites, social media, blogs, and direct contact with real estate professionals accounting for about 90% of buyer research. Other sources of information include yard signs, open houses, real estate ads in newspapers and magazines, TV, and home builders.

What Savvy Buyers Are Looking for Online

When browsing properties, buyers tend to focus on the following:

• 98% – High-quality property photos (plenty of them)

• 98% – Detailed information about properties for sale

• 78% – Video tours of homes

• 78% – Real estate agent contact information

• 78% – Neighborhood details

A Comprehensive Approach to Showcasing Your Home

To maximize exposure and attract serious buyers, it’s essential to use a broad, coordinated advertising strategy. Here’s how we’ll ensure your property gets the attention it deserves:

• Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Listing
  Your home will be listed on the MLS, ensuring it reaches all real estate professionals and serious buyers.

• Keller Williams and Zillow Listings
  We’ll list your home on both Keller Williams and Zillow, expanding its reach even further.

• Targeted Outreach
  I’ll notify potential buyers and referral sources in my personal database about your home.

• Open Houses
  Hosting open houses will allow buyers to experience your home firsthand.

• Email Campaigns
  We’ll send email campaigns to my network to generate interest.

• For Sale Yard Sign
  A prominent sign will advertise your home to local buyers.

• Community Networking
  I’ll tap into my local network to spread the word within the community.

• Home Highlight Information to All Agents
  We’ll share your home’s key features with all agents in our local office, increasing the chances of finding the right buyer.

STEP 4

Preparing Your Home for a Successful Sale

Ensuring your property looks its best can provide the competitive edge needed to sell quickly and at top market value. With years of experience helping clients sell homes, we’ve perfected the art of staging. Our goal is to help you create that “buying feeling” that attracts serious buyers.

Here are 12 of our most highly recommended tips to showcase your home in the best light:

1. Be Absent During Showings
   Buyers feel more comfortable touring a home when the current owners aren’t there. It allows them to envision themselves in the space without distractions.

2. Make Your Home Highlight Sheets Visible
   Have printed materials about your home readily available for buyers to browse.

3. Declutter
   Tidy up by picking up toys, making beds, and putting away clothes. A clean and organized space gives buyers a sense of comfort.

4. Let in Natural Light
   Open all drapes and shades during daylight hours to make your home feel bright and airy. If there are unappealing views, consider using screens or blinds.

5. Illuminate Dark Areas
   Turn on lights throughout the house, including the fireplace, to create a warm and inviting atmosphere—especially in darker areas.

6. Keep Doors Open
   Open all doors between rooms to create a sense of flow and make the space feel more inviting.

7. Create a Calm Atmosphere
   Turn off the television and play soft background music. It adds to the peaceful environment and helps buyers feel at home.

8. Add Pleasant Aromas
   Fresh flowers or the smell of baked cookies can create a welcoming ambiance. A pleasant scent can help buyers feel more comfortable.

9. Keep Things Clean
   Vacuum all carpets and rugs, and remove trash from trashcans. Clean, well-maintained homes make a better impression.

10. Deep Clean Kitchen & Bathrooms
    Make sure these rooms are sparkling clean and wiped down before each showing. Buyers pay close attention to these high-traffic areas.

11. Remove Pets
    Ideally, take pets off the property during showings. Not all buyers love animals, and some may have allergies. Clean pet areas thoroughly if needed.

12. Secure Valuables
    Lock away cash, jewelry, and other small valuables. For your peace of mind, it’s always a good idea to keep these items out of sight.

STEP 5

Securing the Best Terms for Your Sale

When a buyer makes an offer on your home, they not only propose a sale price but also include clauses outlining various terms, such as the closing and possession dates, the deposit amount, and other conditions. We’ll thoroughly review the offer with you, answering all of your questions about the process. From there, we’ll help you decide whether to accept, reject, or counter the offer until we reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

To help ensure a successful negotiation, keep these key principles in mind:

1. Know Your Priorities—and Respect the Buyer’s
   Stay focused on what matters most to you and your buyer. Avoid letting minor issues cloud your judgment and decision-making.

2. Disclose Everything
   It’s important to be transparent about any known defects. Smart sellers go beyond legal requirements and fully disclose issues up front. We’ll provide you with a property disclosure form to help you through this.

3. Ask Questions
   Offers can contain complex language and multiple addenda. If something is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask questions. We’re here to help clarify the details for you.

4. Respond Promptly
   When buyers make an offer, they’re typically ready to act. Delaying your response may cause the buyer to have second thoughts or buyer’s remorse. Quick action can help keep the momentum going.

5. Stay Calm and Patient
   Negotiations can be tense at times. It's essential to keep communication civil and constructive, even if the buyer gets upset. Staying patient will increase the chances of closing the deal successfully.

6. Defer Small Issues
   If minor issues are slowing things down, it may be helpful to focus on agreeing on the major terms first, and come back to the small details later.

7. Meet Halfway
   Sometimes, compromises are necessary. If there are disagreements over small expenses or terms, consider splitting the difference to keep things moving forward.

8. Be Cautious with Contingencies
   Once you’ve accepted an offer, the signed acceptance becomes your sales contract. Except for removing any contingencies, this document is legally binding and forms the foundation of your sale.

9. Rely on Our Expertise
   It’s our job to represent your best interests throughout the negotiation process. We’re here to guide you every step of the way and ensure you get the best possible outcome.

It might seem like a lot, but our goal is to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. The details above are just to help you understand what’s involved in selling your home.