Helpful Guides & Resources
Home Prep: Make any necessary repairs and renovations, declutter, deep clean, and stage your home (if applicable).
Video Recording/Surveillance: If you have any form of video or audio surveillance on your property, you must notify your agent to disclose it to potential buyers and their agents.
Necessities: Gather all manuals, receipts, keys, and remotes, and make copies of your house keys for the lockbox.
Appointments: Schedule termite inspections, photoshoots, staging (if applicable), and professional cleaning (if applicable).
Seller Disclosures: As a California home seller, you have a legal obligation to disclose all material conditions, defects, and/or issues known to you that might affect the value or desirability of your property.
Once your home is prepped and ready, it’s time to list it for sale. Here are some things to keep in mind during the listing process:
Showing Prep: When your home is occupied, you’ll need to prepare it for showings by opening the blinds/curtains, tidying up, turning on the interior lights, discarding any trash or odors, securing pets, and removing or putting away any valuables/medicines.
Showing Time: If you’re using a lockbox, we’ll use a program called Showing Time to help schedule showings. Download the app to confirm showing requests and receive feedback from buyer agents.
**Please see Helpful Guides & Resources for a Showing Time Guide.
Open Houses: A member of our team may host open houses for your listing. Please prepare to leave 15-20 minutes before an open house and follow the Showing Prep guidelines.
Offers: When you receive an offer, we’ll help you review and negotiate it with the buyer’s agent.
As your listing agent, I am here to guide you through the critical stages of the contract. Once the seller signs, they generally cannot terminate the transaction. Therefore, it’s crucial to comprehend and agree with the final terms fully.
After the buyer’s agent delivers the offer to me, we will review it together. You usually have a 3-day response time, and I will keep you informed.
As a seller, you have three options upon receipt of the offer:
Accepting the offer establishes mutual acceptance, and the following day marks the start of counting deadlines.
If countering the offer, the buyer has a specified time to accept or let it expire. They have the same options as the seller when reviewing the original offer.
While not responding is less common, it remains an option. Typically, it suggests that the offer is too low or unacceptable to merit attention.
Once you’ve accepted an offer, it’s time to enter escrow and prepare for the closing process. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Closing Coordinator Supports: Our Closing Coordinators will assist you from the start of escrow through closing to ensure a smooth process.
HOA Docs (if applicable): If your property has an HOA, you’ll usually have to pay an upfront HOA document fee once we enter escrow.
Buyer Financing: Buyer’s financing is not in our control, and delays can occur.
Contract Dates: Dates in the contract are not set in stone and can change.
Home Inspections: Buyer(s) and their agent will coordinate and attend the home inspection. Plan to be away from your property for the roughly 3-hour inspection and ensure your home is prepared for inspection.
Repair Requests: Buyer’s agent will notify us of any repairs needed, and we’ll negotiate options and/or credits to fulfill that request.
Appraisal: The buyer’s lender will schedule and coordinate an appraisal inspection.
Closing Documents: Your agent and Escrow Officer will help coordinate the signing of closing documents (bring valid government-issued ID).
Utilities: Call utility companies to schedule stop service for the day of closing.
Buyer Final Walk-Thru: Buyer’s Agent will schedule the final walk-thru to inspect for damages, cleanliness, and general condition of the property.
Closed: Leave keys, garage door openers, manuals, receipts, etc. all together on the kitchen counter.
Selling your home can be a complex and emotional process, but we’re here to guide you through every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our services.
