DECIDING TO SELL
Thinking of selling? Before anything else, it’s a good idea to sit down and clarify your motivations and draw up a basic time frame for the selling process. Understanding why you want to sell and where you want to go next is important in creating a solid plan that will get you the outcome you’re looking for, to live your sweet life.Why Sell and Where Are You Going?
The first question to ask yourself is why you want to sell your property? Do you intend to simply find a larger property in the same area, or do you plan on moving to another neighborhood, school district, town or city? You might think your reasons are obvious, but it would do well to consider the implications of each option on your lifestyle, opportunities and finances. Being clear about your intentions for selling will make it easier for us to determine the most appropriate options to consider, for your specific life and real estate goals.
When Should I Sell?
It’s important to establish your time frame for selling. If you need to sell quickly, we can speed up the process by giving you a complete market analysis and action plan to obtain all of your goals. If there is no pressing need to sell immediately, you can sit down with one of our expert real estate agents to thoroughly review the current market conditions and identify the most favorable time to sell.
What About Market Conditions?
When you work with Shirazi Group, you can be sure that you will have our knowledge, expertise and negotiating skills at work for you to arrive at the best market prices and terms. We will keep you up-to-date on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and conditions of competing properties. With us, you will have the information you need to make an informed decision about exactly how to price and when to sell your property.
How Do I Optimize My Finances?
Deciding to sell your property demands a serious consideration of your current financial situation and future possibilities. With help from Abby, you will be able to effectively assess the cumulative impact of these changes, estimate potential proceeds of selling your property, and plan effective tax savings and estate planning strategies.
Why Should You Choose Our Professionals?
You may opt to sell your property independently. There are many excellent reasons, however, why you should choose us to assist you in this important undertaking. We will ensure that you maximize your opportunities in the current real estate market. With our extensive contact networks that we have developed through the many national and international organizations, of which we are members, as well as our current and past clients, we will employ the most effective marketing and advertising strategies for your property. We will also guide you through the complicated paperwork involved, from the initial agreement to the final documents.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN AGENT
The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when looking for a listing agent:
Experience and Expertise
Whether buying or selling, you’ll want to hire the agent who can market and negotiate the best possible outcome for you, while communicating with you every step of the way. Who you work with and trust matters. Navigating a real estate purchase or sale is complex, with many nuances to consider and there is no substitute for an experienced and dedicated professional. An expert and honest negotiator who knows the market can save you time, money and heartache, and most importantly, get you the results you’re looking for. You need someone who is driven, with an impeccable work ethic, and the ability to convey information in a timely, calm and straightforward manner. At Shirazi Group, we are full-time, dedicated real estate professionals and our number one job is to promote and protect your interests – whatever those may be.
Availability and Commitment
Your agent should be capable of prompt and decisive action during the course of selling your property. In any business, but especially in real estate, communication is key. Does your agent make it a point to keep in touch with you constantly? Can your agent easily be contacted in case of emergencies or even for the simplest questions? Is your agent available on the weekends or in the evenings when most buyers are out looking? At Shirazi Group Real Estate, you are important to us and we want you to feel valued, every step of the way. We return your calls, texts and emails with the same speed and consideration we demand from our own inquiries. We stay on top of the details and always two steps ahead, so that you don’t need to worry. We’ll make sure to communicate at every step of the way and prepare you for what’s next.
Rapport
Does your agent take the time to listen to your goals and clarify your needs? Can your agent understand your unique situation and be genuinely concerned about the outcome of the process? Your listing agent will be your guide and partner in this crucial decision, so it is important to find one with whom you can get along.
At Shirazi Group Real Estate, we want you to live your sweet life! Whatever that means to you. Whether you’re buying your first home, upsizing to accommodate a growing family, realizing your dream home, downsizing to fund new travel adventures, or investing to build wealth for the future, we’re here for you every step of the way. We want to help you achieve your goals and get to where you need to be. That’s what it’s all about for us.
You can do a lot to increase the appeal of your property and to create a lasting impact on potential buyers.
PREPARING TO SELL
The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when listing your property for sale:
Curb Appeal
Keeping your landscape pristine, and adding creative touches to your yard, such as colorful annuals, will create an immediate impact on passers-by and potential buyers.
Property Repairs
Simple upgrades such as window repairs, filling cracks or holes in the walls, and a fresh coat of paint in the most frequently used rooms will instantly brighten up your property.
Cleanliness and Staging
Keep your property uncluttered, sweet-smelling and well-lit from top-to-bottom. Pay attention to details: put away the kitty litter, place a vase of fresh flowers near the entryway, pop a batch of cookies in the oven, have your floors, windows and carpets cleaned. Your agent will scan the property before it is listed for sale to see how you can improve the staging of your property. Don’t forget that clients want to ‘see and smell’ a clean home.
Disclosures and Inspections
You will complete a Seller Property Information Statement prior to the offer presentation. We can help you develop a thorough disclosure statement beneficial to both you and the buyer, as well as suggest home improvement measures before placing your property on the market (i.e., such as termite and pest inspections).
Showtime
Presenting your property to potential buyers is a job that we will take care of for you. Buyers feel more comfortable discussing the property with the agent, if you are not there. Moreover, your agent will know what information will be most useful in representing your interests when speaking with prospective buyers. At Shirazi Group Real Estate, we take the open house to the next level, with complimentary coffee and tea, music to set the tone, and great signage and marketing to get potential buyers there.
ACCEPTING AN OFFER
Don’t Judge an Offer Solely by the Price
“The higher the price, the better the offer.” Don’t be fooled by this popular misconception. Price is not always the determining factor when accepting an offer for several important reasons: the initial offer is usually not final, and there are a number of terms and conditions that may influence the final outcome of a price. You can trust Abby to help you thoroughly vet every proposal, without compromising your marketing position.
Negotiating The Right Way
We are committed to ethically negotiating the contractual terms very seriously. It is our job to find a win-win agreement that protects and promotes your best interests and gets the results you want. You may even have to deal with multiple offers before ratifying the one you judge to be the most suitable for you, and as your agents, we will guarantee a thorough and objective assessment of each offer to help you make an informed decision.
Contingencies
A contingency is a condition that must be met before a contract becomes legally binding. For instance, a buyer will usually include a contingency stating that their contract is binding only when there is a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified inspector.
Before completing his or her purchase of your property, the buyer goes over every aspect of the property, as provided for by purchase agreements and any applicable addendums. These include:
- Obtaining financing and insurance;
- Reviewing all pertinent documents, such as preliminary title reports and disclosure documents; and
- Inspecting the property. The buyer has the right to determine the condition of your property by subjecting it to a wide range of inspections, such as roof, termite/pest, chimney/fireplace, property boundary survey, well, septic, pool/spa, arborist, mold, lead based paint, HVAC, etc.
- Either each milestone is successfully closed and the contingencies will be removed, bringing you one step closer to the closing; or
- The buyer, after reviewing the property and the papers, requests a renegotiation of the terms of contract (usually the price).
CLOSING DAY
If you have come this far, this means that it is almost time for a congratulations, but not yet. Do not forget to tie up these loose ends:Final Walk-Through Inspection
More of a formality than anything else, the final inspection takes place the day before, or the day of the closing. The buyer visits the property to verify that all is in working order, everything is the same as when the buyer last viewed the property, and that there are no extra items left behind.
Be Prepared
We are ready to assist you should an unforeseen glitch pop up, even at this last stage. If something at the property breaks down or the buyers’ loan does not pull through on time, there is no need to worry. We have encountered these problems before so we know how to handle them efficiently and in a stress-free manner.
Closing
The buyer(s) lawyer (or closing agent) will furnish all parties involved with a settlement statement, which summarizes and details the financial transactions enacted in the process. The buyer(s) will sign this statement and then you will sign as well as the lawyer (or closing agent), certifying its accuracy. If you are unable to attend the scheduled closing (some buyers prefer to remain anonymous or be absent from this part of the transaction), then arrangements can be made depending on the circumstances and the notice that we receive. If you are receiving funds from the transaction, you can elect to either have the funds wired electronically to an account at your financial institution, or have a check issued to you at the closing. The seller should arrange to have all property keys and any other important information for the new purchaser at the closing, so that the purchaser may receive these items at this time
