Information for Sellers

Anthem Arizona

Information for Sellers

The Steps to a Successful Home Sale

Step 1: Consult with Campbell & Associates Realtors

There are many factors affecting the value of your property and the optimal time to sell it. The location, features, property condition, market segment conditions, school enrollment deadlines, property tax issues, and income tax consequences are among the factors, which should be considered before selecting a “list price”.

Our goal is to help you: Get “top dollar” for your property, meet important moving deadlines, and avoid (tax, marketing, and legal) mistakes.

If you are considering a home sale, we would be happy to sit down with you to answer your questions and help you with the planning.

Please call (623) 261-6198 to schedule a Free, No-Obligation consultation.

Step 2: Determining the List Price

If you decide you want to sell, we will inspect your home, prepare a Competitive Market Analysis, and give you a written “List Price” recommendation.

Pricing a home to get “top dollar” is both an art and a science. Identifying the optimal list price is achieved by balancing objective research into comparable sales, along with the subjective “emotion” of the property as it compares to other available homes within your market segment. The optimal list price for a home should:

	Attract qualified buyers (within 3 weeks or less)
	Allow the Seller to Net the most money possible
	Result in a sale before the average "days on market" for your price segment

The simple fact is: Price is the Number One factor that most homebuyers use to determine which homes they want to view. And it's important to remember, that although you set the price, the buyer determines the value of the home.

Important Tip: Overpricing is a common mistake that will cost you in the end. Do not allow your enthusiasm to get a high price impact your better judgment. What really matters is how your home stacks up against other homes currently offered for sale and recently sold in your neighborhood.

Make No Mistake: Overpriced homes take longer to sell and buyers do not offer full price on homes which have been on the market a long time. Many buyers think there is something “wrong” with a home if it remains unsold after only one month on the market.

Step 3: Sign the Listing Agreement

The next step is to sign the listing agreement. Ideally, we sign the listing agreement at least seven to ten days before the marketing of your home begins. These precious days allow us to photograph the home, prepare brochures, and send out mailings in advance. The result is more activity, more excitement, and (when all goes as planned) the creation of a competitive bidding environment where buyers fear losing the property to another bidder!

Step 4: Preparing the Home for Sale

"First Impressions are Lasting Impressions". Except for over-pricing your home, the biggest marketing mistake we can make is rushing buyers and agents to your home before it is ready to be shown.

Here are some important things you can do to improve the first impression of your home while Campbell & Associates Realtors is preparing the brochures.

The exterior home often determines how buyers will view the interior, so:

	Make sure your front entrance is clean and inviting
	Paint your front door if it's faded or worn
	Make sure the front door lockset is both beautiful and functional
	Clean the windows and replace damaged window screens
	Paint to trim and any other outside features showing signs of wear
	Trim trees and plant flowers where they will be visible from the curb

"Beauty Is More Than Skin Deep", so:

Organize the kitchen counters & cabinets.

Remove excess items, pots/pans, canned goods

Remove faded wallpaper and glue any areas that have come away from the wall.

Consider repainting interior walls in a neutral color if necessary

Clean and deodorize the carpet.

Consider replacing carpet with neutral color it if necessary

Repair loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers, broken light switches, electrical sockets, and other minor flaws which might distract buyers.

Check plumbing in the kitchen and bathrooms… Fix drips. Clean hard water deposits.

"Accentuate the Positive". Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and arrange each room to bring out its best attributes, including:

Open draperies and curtains to let the light in during the showing

Remove all unnecessary clutter from your closets to better display spaciousness (consider storage or a Garage Sale to dispose of extraneous items)

Arrange all your rooms neatly and remove excess furniture

Keep fresh, clean towels in the bathrooms

Use candles or air fresheners to make the rooms smell pleasant

Put Your Home in the "Best Possible Light". Strategically lighting your home, even during daytime showings, can highlight positive attributes of each room:

Light and bright is our goal. Increasing light bulb wattage if possible can be helpful.

Dark paint/wallpaper, dark carpets/rugs, and dark window coverings will make rooms look smaller and should be avoided if possible.

Cozy fireplaces burning are great to make a home feel warm in the winter. Breezes from open windows or air conditioning makes a home feel cool in the summer.

This is just a general list of suggestions. For specific suggestions for your home call (623) 261-6198.

Step 5: Implement the Marketing Plan

Next, Campbell & Associates Realtors will implement a marketing plan designed specifically for your home, including:

	For Sale Sign
	Lockbox
	MLS
	Photography
	Color Brochures
	Web Site Posting
	Neighborhood Mailings
	Tenant Mailings
	Broker Preview
	Flyers to Realtors
	Video Tour
	Open Houses

These items will be completed within days. "Anyone and Everyone" seeking to purchase a home such as yours in your neighborhood will learn about it!

To begin the marketing of your home call (623) 261-6198.

Step 6: Offers, Negotiations, Acceptance, Escrow Opening

If your home has been properly prepared and the marketing has had its desired effect, the excitement level will be high. Many prospective bidders will be considering your home! If there is a buyer in the marketplace looking for your home,

As your Real Estate expert, Campbell & Associates Realtors will help you negotiate the best possible price and terms. Once all parties have agreed on the price and terms, Campbell & Associates Realtors will open escrow and explain the documents to you in complete and simple terms.

To learn more, please call (623) 261-6198.

Step 7: Disclosures, Property Inspection, Requests, Appraisal, Loan Approval, Repairs, Walk-Thru, Closing, & Possession.

Next, Campbell & Associates Realtors will deliver the disclosure packet to the buyer, and the buyer will almost certainly hire a professional property inspector to identify defects and/or repair items in the home. The buyer should make a reasonable list of items for repair. Campbell &Associates Realtors will help you negotiate with the buyer depending on how we marketed and negotiated the terms of sale for your home. Unless the home was sold as a "fixer upper" we can say, as general rule the buyer will expect all major systems in the home to be in working order. The roof and plumbing should be free of leaks, electrical should be to code, appliances, furnace, windows, and door locks should all function safely.

Once the buyer has completed the inspections, Campbell & Associates Realtors will make sure all the contingencies are removed in writing, and then we will go to work on the remaining items necessary to close the transaction:

	Provide sales data to the appraiser
	Follow-up with the lender
	Update you on the expected closing date
	Coordinate any necessary repairs found during inspection
	Coordinate the walk-thru date & meet with the buyer
	Communicate the closing
	Coordinate possession date
	Deliver keys to buyer

For more details, please call (623) 261-6198