Perhaps you’ve noticed something: Information for first-time Southern Maryland homebuyers is plentiful across the Internet.
But what if you’re a first-time home seller looking for information?
Well, crickets.
Buying a home for the first time can be somewhat confusing until the process is explained, selling one for the first time can be even more so. You’re selling a huge investment! How much will you make – and when?
We believe that knowledge is power, and we’re always happy to share what we know with our clients. Southern Maryland sellers should be aware of every step in the process so that you never have to wonder what happens next.
The process starts with listing your Southern Maryland home for sale. Then, when you know what happens after you sign the listing agreement, and what will be expected of you during this time, nothing will fall through the cracks. You can relax into the process.
You won’t see us, but behind the scenes, we’ll have our hands full with a flurry of activity, from getting your home into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database to implementing a marketing plan.
So, if you’re thinking of selling your Southern Maryland home, here’s what you can expect after you sign the listing agreement.
The pre-showing period
Right after you sign the listing agreement, we’ll suggest ways you can improve your home’s curb appeal and, if needed, give you some tips about how you can stage the interior to appeal to the most potential buyers. We will also walk you through and repairs that we think might help your home sell faster and for more money.
While you’re busy making improvements and repairs, we’ve got our own tasks to complete. Here’s a sampling of what we do just after you sign the listing agreement:
- Ensure that we have all the pertinent information about the homeowner’s association (HOA), if applicable.
- Collect a key from you for the lockbox.
- Talk to you about your current mortgage – is it assumable? Are you considering owner-financing? Do you have a VA loan?
- We will walk you through the broker’s open process (sort of an open house for real estate agents) and showings to potential buyers.
- We will advise you how to guard your valuables and what to do with your pets. We’ll ask you if there are any restrictions on showing the home (times that you just cannot leave the home).
We get to work as soon as we leave your house with your listing agreement!
First, we call our sign company and order a sign for your yard or window, arrange to have a lockbox attached to your home, and we’ll make an appointment with a professional photographer. The photos will be used in the MLS listing and all other marketing materials, so you’ll get plenty of notice so you can make sure your home is in tip-top shape before the photographer arrives. We’ll also talk about a good day to hold a broker’s open house.
Then, we’ll verify the square footage of your home and lot via tax records and enter all of the information about your home into the MLS database. Your house is officially on the market once the photos and information are in that database. All other real estate agents in Southern Maryland will have access to that information, and they can begin showing your home.
While the home is on the market
While your house is on the market, you’ll be called on periodically to sign various forms. These include contingency releases and other acknowledgements, and we’ll make sure you understand what you’re signing.
Most Southern Maryland sellers have to fill out various disclosures. These are forms that tell the buyer anything the sellers know about the home that may affect their decision to purchase. The Seller’s Disclosure Statement is one that all sellers must complete. We cannot fill out the form for you, but we’re happy to help you if you have any questions.
Seller disclosures are serious business; it is your most important duty when you sell your home. It may seem that by being brutally honest about known problems you may sabotage the sale, but you are actually protecting yourself from future legal liability.
While the home is on the market you will need to keep it tidy and keep your valuables locked away. Leaving the home while it’s being shown is a nuisance, but necessary if you hope to sell the home quickly.
There’s a lot more to selling a home than sticking a sign in the yard with a box of pretty fliers attached to it. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Brandywine MD Homes for Sale and Real Estate Services in Southern Maryland. You now have a search engine to help you with your Southern Maryland home search! And I’m ready to provide you with a custom home valuation if you’re considering selling your home. Let’s connect to discuss how I can help you. Contact Kimberly Bean at 301-440-1309
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