[email protected] 1-206-697-4158 1300 Pinehurst Way NW Seattle 98125 WA
Selling a Home with Kathy
When you are selling, your goals are likely to sell for the highest price in the shortest amount of time. My goals are your goals and my multi-step home listing strategy will get us there. Below are the steps you can expect when selling a home with me. Like what you are reading? Reach out via the form below to set up a one-on-one consultation to see if we are a good fit.
PRELISTING
SELECTING YOUR REPRESENTATION
The job of a full-service real estate broker is to represent you and your best interests through every step of the sales process. As your representative, I'll listen to your needs, explain the current market, and I will manage your transaction from beginning to end.
PREPARATION
First impressions are key when selling a home, so before the 'for sale' sign goes up, put in the time to make sure it's ship shape. I will provide an assessment of the exterior and interior of your home with suggestions for ways to enhance showings with the goal of earning you top dollar.
PRICING
Determining the right price is hands-down the most important part of achieving the highest return in the least amount of time. There are many factors that go into determining a home's market value, such as current inventory, days on market, recent area sales, active listings, as well as the condition and location of a home. Pricing is one of my strong suits having been an appraiser in my past career and having appraised over 5000 properties.
Professional, high-end photography is a critical tool in helping a buyer get excited about your home. These photos are used in everything from the MLS listing, flyers, promotional materials, and more.
PROMOTION
A customized plan to market your home will help attract the interest of the right buyer. From a stunning virtual tour to targeted digital campaigns, a neighborhood call campaign, and reverse prospecting, print marketing, signage and more, I utilize a variety of tools to market your home as effectively as possible.
HOME SHOWINGS
Showings are an inconvenient, yet necessary part of the home selling process. I'll work with you to make showings as convenient as possible and use a secure lock box that only real estate brokers can access. I can also access information from the lock box and follow up with all brokers after their showing to get feedback from buyers.
THE OFFER
PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
Once an offer on a property has been made by a buyer and accepted by the seller, they enter into a legal contract known as a Purchase and Sale Agreement. This document outlines the specific terms and conditions of the transaction and is acknowledged by both parties by the signing of the document.
NEGOTIATION
Whether you're a buyer or a seller, negotiation is the key to getting the best deal. Negotiations can involve everything from settling on a sales price to concessions and financing. I take my job in representing your interests seriously and work to ensure that you get every penny you deserve in the sale of your home. Once a favorable offer on the property has been accepted by the seller, they enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the buyer. After this document is signed, the parties reach mutual acceptance and the contingency period begins.
MUTUAL ACCEPTANCE
Mutual acceptance is when both parties have agreed to terms and signed the contract. This starts the timeline for contractual obligations that must be met. I keep track of these critical dates to ensure that you and the buyer comply.
PENDING TO CLOSE
CONTIGIENCIES
During the contingency period, the buyer will hire a home inspector to investigate if the home is in need of any repairs. Once the inspector provides their report on the property, the buyer will have a chance to negotiate with the sellers to cover the costs of certain repairs or to ask for concessions.
To avoid surprises during this period, I recommend conducting a pre-inspection prior to listing your property—this way you are in the driver seat from the outset.
ESCROW
Once the offer is accepted and a closing date agreed upon, escrow serves as a neutral third party to handle the financial accounting of the transaction and ensure all parts of the contract are satisfied. I work with escrow to help coordinate the completion of all necessary forms and monitor the escrow process until the transaction is complete.
CLOSING
Prior to closing, you'll receive a settlement statement from escrow outlining any fees which may apply to you. At closing, all the paperwork is signed by the buyer and seller at separate appointments. The seller typically signs all related paperwork 3-5 days before the close date. The two items a seller will need at closing are their driver's license and bank account number to receive the wired funds. Wire fraud is on the rise, follow the exact instructions of escrow to avoid any mishaps. On the day of closing, once the deed is recorded, the keys (and garage door openers) can be officially handed off to the buyer and the transaction is officially closed. If recording takes place after noon, the funds are wired the next business day into your account.
There is a lot that goes into preparing your home for sale and getting it sold for top dollar. If you are ready to get started, fill out the What’s My Home Worth? so I can learn more about your property or fill out the form below:
