Angela Redding angelaredding.com Fort Worth Texas Realtor

Angela Redding angelaredding.com Fort Worth Texas Realtor


Seller Services

SELL A HOME

Deciding to Sell

So you have decided to sell your property. Before anything else, it is a good idea to sit down and clarify your motivations and draw up a basic time frame for the selling process.

Why Sell?

Why do you want to sell your property? Do you intend to simply find a larger property, downsize, or do you plan on moving to another neighborhood, school district, city or state? You might think your reasons are obvious, but it would do well to consider the implications of each option for your lifestyle, opportunities, and finances. Being clear about your intentions for selling will make it easier for me to determine the most appropriate option to use in order to meet your specific financial, lifestyle, and real estate goals.

When Should I Sell?

You should immediately establish your time frame for selling. If you need to sell quickly, I 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 me to thoroughly review the current market conditions and find the most favorable time to sell.

What Is The Market Like?

When you work with me, you can be sure that you will have my knowledge, expertise and negotiating skills at work for you to arrive at the best market prices and terms. I will keep you up-to-date on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and conditions of competing properties. You will know 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 my help, you will be able to effectively assess the cumulative impact of these changes and estimate potential proceeds of selling your property.

One more thing to add.

When selling your home, there are no guarantees that a buyer will simply walk through the front door. In many cases you may have to bring your home to the buyer. Effective marketing will help ensure that your property receives maximum exposure to attract a ready, willing and able buyer.

The appearance of your home, a buyer's first impression, and other considerations can also affect the sale of your home. Have you considered home prices in your neighborhood and the value of your property? These factors as well as many others are used for pricing your home.

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Selecting a Realtor®

You may opt to sell your property independently. There are many excellent reasons, however, why you should choose me to assist you in this important undertaking. I will ensure that you maximize your opportunities in the current real estate market. I will employ the most effective marketing and advertising strategies for your property. I will also guide you through the complicated paperwork involved, from the initial agreement to the final documents. In today?s market you need more than just a pretty home in a nice neighborhood. You will need an active and aggressive agent who will get your home in front of as many potential buyers as possible. The days of simply sticking a sign in the front yard are gone, and you need an agent who is fully versed with the most cutting edge technology.

What To Look For In A Realtor®

The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when looking for a listing agent:

  • Education.
    The most important factor in choosing a real estate professional is their education in the real estate industry. The agent earning prestigious designations in the various fields of real estate. What I like to call ABC?s behind the agent?s name.
  • Experience and Expertise.
    You want a full-time agent who is familiar with your area and with the type of property you intend to sell. Does he or she employ a diverse range of marketing and advertising strategies?
  • Availability and Commitment.
    Your agent should be capable of prompt and decisive action during the course of selling your property. Does your agent make it a point to keep in touch with you and communicate with you consistently? Can your agent easily be contacted in case of emergencies or even for the simplest questions? Is your agent available on the weekends and in the evenings when most buyers are out looking?
  • 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, partner, and friend in this crucial decision, so it is important to find one who you get along with, respect, and feel comfortable with.

What Is Your Property Worth?

Without a professional Realtor®, most independent property sellers tend to overestimate the value of their property. You can avoid this pitfall by consulting with an experienced Realtor®. Did you know most home sellers list their home too high and ultimately lose up to 60% of the original prospects?

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Preparing to Sell

You can do a lot to increase the appeal of your property and create a lasting impact on potential buyers on their first walk through.

What To Do To Prepare.

The following are several factors to keep in mind when listing your property for sale:

  • 1. 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.
  • 2. Property Repairs.
    Simple upgrades such as window repairs, polishing the doorknobs, and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the most frequently used rooms will instantly brighten up the property.
  • 3. Cleanliness and Staging.
    Keep your property decluttered, clean 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, have your carpets cleaned. I will walk through the property before it is listed for sale to see how you can improve the staging of your property.
  • 4. Disclosures and Inspections.
    I am familiar with the legal procedures involved in disclosures and am ready to 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.
  • 5. Showtime.
    Presenting your property to potential buyers is a job that I will take care of for you. A showing service or myself will call you prior to showing and will also give feedback from the buyers themselves. Buyers feel more comfortable viewing and discussing the property with their agent, if you the seller are not present. I may also perform open houses, broker open houses and more.

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Accepting an Offer

The Price Is Not Always Right.

The higher the price, the better the offer." Do not let yourself 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 me to help you thoroughly evaluate every proposal without compromising your marketing position.

The Price Is Not Always Right.

The higher the price, the better the offer." Do not let yourself 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 me to help you thoroughly evaluate every proposal without compromising your marketing position".

Negotiating The Right Way.

I take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms very seriously. It is my job to find a win-win agreement that is beneficial to all parties involved. 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 agent, I will guarantee a thorough and objective assessment of each offer to help you make the best choice.

The Initial Agreement and Deposit.

An effective agreement is a legal arrangement between a potential purchaser and the property?s seller. In order to be a legally binding agreement, the agreement requires consideration. This consideration (initial and additional deposit) is to be held by a title company in an escrow account pending the fulfillment of conditions or contingencies in the effective agreement.

Some important tips to keep in mind to streamline the process even further:

  • ● Keep written records of everything.
    For the sake of clarity, it will be extremely useful to transcribe all verbal agreements including counter-offers and addendums, and convert them to written agreements to be signed by both parties. I will assist you in drafting all the paperwork for your sale and make sure that you have copies of everything.
  • ● Stick to the schedule.
    Now that you have chosen your offer, you will be given a timeline to mark every stage in the process of closing the real estate contract. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smoother flow of negotiations and also ensures that each party involved is not in breach of their agreements. During the process I will keep you constantly updated so you will always be prepared for the next step.

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Title Escrow, Inspections and Appraisal

Inspections and Appraisal.

Most buyers will have the property inspected by a licensed property inspector within the timeframe that was agreed upon in the effective contract to purchase. Some buyers may have several different inspectors inspect the property. If they wish to obtain professional opinions from inspectors who specialize in a specific area (e.g. roof, HVAC, structure). If the agreement is conditional upon financing, then the property will be appraised by a licensed appraiser to determine the value for the lending institution. This is done so that the lending institution can confirm their investment in your property is accurate.

The Closing Agent.

A title company and closing agent will be selected to examine and insure clear title to real estate. After researching the complete recorded history of your property, they will certify that:

  • ● Your title is free and clear of encumbrances (mortgages, leases, restrictions, liens, etc.) by the date of closing; and
  • ● All new encumbrances (Bundle of Legal Rights) are duly included in the title.

What is The Bundle of Legal Rights of a Real Estate Owner?

  • ~ the right of possession
      the property is owned by whomever holds title;
  • ~ the right of control
      within the laws, the owner controls the use of the property;
  • ~ the right of exclusion
      others can be excluded from using or entering the property;
  • ~ the right of enjoyment
      the owner can enjoy the use of the property in any legal manner; and...
  • ~ the right of disposition
      the title holder can sell, rent, or transfer ownership or use of the property at will

Ownership of land is holding "title" to it. The evidence of that title is the deed. The seller executes a deed to transfer title to real property and the bundle of rights that go with it.

Contingencies.

A contingency is a condition that must be met for the contract to move forward closer to the closing table. For instance, a buyer may need to sell their house before purchasing your property.

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
  • ● 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.

Depending on the outcome of these inspections, one of two things may happen:

  • 1. The buyer is satisfied with the inspection and we move forward with the transaction; or
  •   Reviewing all pertinent documents,
    such as preliminary title reports and disclosure documents
  • 2. The buyer, after reviewing the property and the papers,
    requests a renegotiation of the terms of contract (usually the price but sometimes repairs).

How do you respond objectively and fairly to the buyer when a renegotiation is demanded, while acting in your best interests? This is when a professional listing agent can make a real difference in the outcome of the transaction. I guarantee my total commitment to every client.

Loan Approval and Appraisal.

I suggest that you accept buyers who have a lender's pre-approval letter, which is a better guarantee of loan approval than a pre-qualification or no documentation from a lending institute. Expect an appraiser from the lender's company to review your property and verify that the sales price is appropriate.

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Closing Day

If we have come this far, this means that it is almost time for 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 usually 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. I suggest that the home be clean and inviting for the new owners walk through.

Cancel Home Services and Utilities.

I highly suggest the termination of home services and utilities after the closing occurs and it has been funded.

Be Prepared.

I am 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 come through on time, there is no need to worry. I have encountered these problems before so I know how to handle them efficiently and in a stress-free manner.

Closing.

The closing agent at the title company 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 you will sign it as well. I will review this with you line by line certifying its accuracy. If you are unable to attend the scheduled closing, then arrangements can be made for a mobile closing (your office or a restaurant on your lunch break). 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 closing. The seller should arrange to have all property keys and any other important information for the new purchaser at closing, so that the purchaser may receive these items once it is funded.

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Angela Redding angelaredding.com Fort Worth Texas Realtor

Angela Redding

REALTOR®-ASSOCIATE TAHS, SFR, GRI, ABR

Genesis Masters Real Estate
 and Property Management
3612 West 7th St., Suite D
Fort Worth, TX 76107  

(817)944-6709 Mobile
(817)731-8830 Office
(817)731-8838 Fax
AngelaRedding1@gmail.com

Designations: ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative)
GRI (Graduate Realtor® Institute)
SFR (Short Sale Foreclosure Resource)
TAHS (Texas Affordable Housing Specialist)