SELLING PROCESS
Thinking about selling?
Selling your home is a big financial and emotional decision. We’ll help guide you through the process to make sure that you feel comfortable every step of the way.
What should I expect of the agent I hire to sell my home?
Pete and the Team at Core Group LA will handle all aspects of your property sale, from pricing, marketing and showings to the intricate steps involved in closing the deal. We are your partner from day one, taking time to discuss your unique needs and goals then to present a customized marketing plan outlining how best to generate awareness of your home. Our Team will also: guide the entire process; ensure discretion, report to you regularly, promote your listing to the widest possible buyer audience via web and print outlets and to the entire brokerage community, seek pre-qualified buyer prospects and provide personal representation at every showing. Once offers come in, we will skillfully negotiate on your behalf with full knowledge of all activity associated with your property to secure the best price and the quickest closing and will work to bring the sale to its successful conclusion, helping you navigate building rules and all the details of transfer of ownership.
What is the Residential Listing Agreement (Exclusive Authorization and Right to Sell)?
A property owner who wishes to sell their home usually signs a contract with a real estate company. The contract is called the Residential Listing Agreement (Exclusive Authorization and Right to Sell). This agreement is the initial contract between the seller and the broker, which gives the broker and a specific agent the exclusive right to sell your property for a designated period of time (i.e., six months or a year). Terms vary by agreement, but generally include things like duties of the realtor, the amount of commission, length of the exclusive, asking price and other selling terms.
What should I expect as a reasonable market time?
The time your home is on the market depends on many factors and varies by location. Our team can give you an approximate market time expectation based on your specific property. However it’s important to note that homes which are priced competitively, marketed aggressively to reach a wide local, domestic and international buyer audience, and staged effectively to showcase the best features attract more buyers and sell faster. Proper pricing is especially important in the early stages of marketing. Statistics show that if properly priced, an offer should be presented quickly.
How is a home’s value determined?
Many factors go into determining a home’s market value, including the condition of the property, the location, square footage, recent comparable sales, amenities and other factors. Your listening agent is the most qualified to evaluate your home and arrive at an accurate selling price based on the current market and vast array of industry resources.
When is the best time to put my home on the market?
Typically, there are always buyers looking for homes all year round, even in the more trying times our market has recently experienced which has altered any usual selling patterns. If a home is priced and marketed right it will sell no matter what the season, or state of the market. Pete and the team will evaluate your home, prepare a comparative market analysis for you, and work with you to decide what the best strategy and timing is for putting your home up for sale.
How can I increase the value of my home?
Whether you’re thinking of doing a major remodeling or just sprucing up your place with a fresh coat of paint, there are many ways to make your home more appealing to buyers while adding both perceived and real value. Adding bedrooms and doing kitchen and bathroom renovations/upgrades can yield substantial price increases. Features like high ceilings, ceramic tile and wood floors, Pool & Spa also contribute to value. Yet not every improvement has to cost a lot. There are simple things you can do too like washing the walls and windows, eliminating clutter, installing new window treatments, shampooing carpets, modernizing light fixtures, refinishing the kitchen cabinets and upping the wattage of light bulbs to create a brighter ambiance.
Does staging a home help it sell for more?
Your home is your most valuable asset, so of course when the time comes to sell, you want to do everything you can to make it most attractive and get the highest price possible. Research shows that well-staged homes can sell approximately 32% faster than those that are non-staged, plus often command higher sale prices of up to 10% more. Homes that are properly staged make a great first impression. It’s all about selling a lifestyle, and it’s proven that homes which exude warmth, elegance, romance and sex appeal sell fastest. Staging helps paint a picture for buyers so they can imagine themselves entertaining, relaxing or cooking dinner in the space. Staging can involve anything from putting a new color on the wall or boxing up knick knacks to rearranging furniture or bringing in new décor.
How to prepare for an open house
The open house showcases your property to the public seeing it for the first time, so you want it to look its best. Buyers don’t overlook anything, so make sure the entire place is clean from top to bottom, even inside the appliances! Throw away the trash, put away your valuables, organize all closets and drawers, get rid of children’s and pet toys to minimize clutter. Also try to depersonalize each room by removing photo frames and posters or artwork. Buy new linens and pillows if necessary, preferably a neutral color. Also see that everything is working, from light bulbs to the AC, and repair anything that needs fixing like a leaky faucet. Maybe even spray a pleasant room freshener around and play some soothing background music for effect. Remove pets from the premises when possible, and most importantly, go out for a few hours and enjoy yourself. Leave everything to your agent who’ll be well prepared with marketing materials and answers to all questions.
Where do most buyers start looking for homes?
Approximately 95% of home shoppers today use the Internet to start their search for homes. Of course those looking to buy attend open houses, and get recommendations from friends on the best places to live. However, there is no question that your home will get the most visibility by being properly marketed online.
What can I expect as my closing costs?
If you are selling your home you will also incur closing costs. Knowing what these are upfront can help you plan your next move and make your transaction go smoothly. Generally, closing costs for selling a cooperative, condominium or townhouse property include the real estate commission you have agreed to pay your agent, the mortgage principal remaining on the property,) Escrow Fees, CA Taxes and other various fees. These costs are payable from sale proceeds.
What are my options if I don’t have a new place to live at the time of my closing?
The buyer of your home will expect the keys at the closing, but you may be able to work out a deal to lease the property from the new owner for a certain number of months. Or perhaps you can consider pursuing a sublet, a short-term rental or a furnished rental until you find a place to live. If possible, try to pick a date for the closing that will give you enough time to find a new residence.