HIRE A REAL ESTATE AGENT - UpNest

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THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDEHIRE A REAL ESTATE AGENTWorking with a top, experienced real estate agent is crucial to the successful sale of your home. A good agent will protect yourinterests and resolve any problems that arise, ensuring a stress‐free process. You can rely on a good real estate agent to:Suggest home improvements that will yield a high ROIShare insider knowledge on industry and local market trendsStrategically price and market your home for maximum exposureNegotiate the best deal and terms on your behalfSimplify the entire process for you, including negotiations, inspections, title issues, etc.Show your home and keep you informed and updated at all timesAssist in finding service providers (appraisers, inspectors, contractors, etc.)Promptly present and evaluate each offer with youManage contracts, paperwork, and transactional detailsOffer advice, education, and guidance to serve your best interestsComplete the transaction and sell your home per your agreementPage 1 of 16www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDEMOVINGConsider packing up and moving out of your home before you prepare it for sale. Manypeople elect to rent or lease a temporary residence while they prepare their home for sale.Moving is stressful, so here are a few tipsto ease the process and get you started:This gives you the freedom to paint, repair, and/or renovate your home without muchinconvenience to you and your family. With all your furniture removed, you can also stageyour home. Professionally staged homes show much better, increasing your chances ofselling faster and for a higher sale price.Reserve a mover and confirm moving date and costsPack a few essentials you’ll need for the near-term and put them asideBefore you begin packing, create an inventory list of all itemsArrange special transportation for plants, pets, and carsOrder packing materials: boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers, etc.For long-distance moves, you can enlist the help of a RelocationSpecialist or relocation companyNumber and label boxes on the sides for visibility when stackedDivide and sort all your items into 4 piles:KEEP, DONATE, SELL, TOSSPage 2 of 16www.upnest.comIf your home will be vacant while it's on the market, keep paying forutilities so you have electricity, water, etc. during showings

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDEPREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALECLEAN, DECLUTTER & DE-PERSONALIZEConsider hiring a cleaning service to do the prep-work for youKeep beds made and consider buying new beddingHost a garage sale and/or sell items you don’t need on sites like Craigslist.orgStore away magazines, books, children's toys, games, etc.Flooring: shampoo, vacuum, and clean carpets and rugs (or replace them);wax and refinish hardwood floorsRemove family photos and any potentially offensive itemsBathroom: wash or replace shower curtains; treat any mildew or mold; clearvanity tops of all personal toiletriesKitchen: clean countertops and store away small appliances; remove artworkand magnets from the refrigerator; don't pack too much food in therefrigerator; empty trash to eliminate odorsDust off furniture, light fixtures, blinds, and other surfacesWash windows; wash (or replace) worn window curtainsOrganize closets and storage space - buyers like to peek insideduring Open Houses!Page 3 of 1611www.upnest.comPlace valuable items like jewelry and money in a secure place

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDEPREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALECURB APPEAL - LANDSCAPINGWeed, mow, rake, and water the lawn; trim bushes and treesStore away garden tools and neatly wrap the hosePower wash your driveway to remove any oil stainsAdd flowering plants to the front yardRemove debris from the gutters and the roofClean ponds, fountains, and poolClean barbeque grill and any outdoor furnitureBuy a new welcome mat for the front doorReplace exterior lighting fixtures and hardwareReplace house numbers -be sure they're visible from the streetHOME INSPECTIONGet a home inspection done early so you have the opportunity to identify and address/fix any problems that may cause delays in thesale of your home if discovered later by the buyer's inspector.Page 43 of 1611www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDEPREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALEHOME IMPROVEMENTConsult with your agent to determine which home improvement projectswill yield the highest ROIRepaint interior with neutral colors - they appeal to most buyersRemove old, dated wallpaperFix light fixtures and switches and replace old light bulbsPatch up holes in walls from artwork and repair cracksMake sure windows and doors open, close, and lock securelyMake sure the AC and the heat workRepair leaky faucets and toiletsInspect smoke detectors, security alarms, and sprinkler systemRepair or replace the roof if necessaryPage 53 of 1116www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDEPRICING YOUR HOMEOverpricing or underpricing your home can negatively impact its sale. A well-priced home will generate competitive offersand ensure a quick sale, so enlist the services of your real estate agent to strategically price your home.FACTORS AFFECTING HOME VALUEIndustry trends and local market conditions - Buyer’s market? Seller’s market?Square footage and lot size Number of bedrooms/bathroomsAge and condition of home – Is it a fixer-upper? Has it been renovated? Is it a historicalhome? New construction? The condition of your home can be a deal-maker ordeal-breaker.Location – city, state, and neighborhood; proximity to public transportation, freeways,schools, libraries, shopping, downtown, etc.Amenities – pool, spa tub, walk-in closets, gourmet kitchen, hardwood floors, etc.TIPS FOR PRICING A HOMEYour real estate agent should have strong local neighborhood knowledge and will help you strategically price your home. S/he should give youa Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) that serves as a guide to set an accurate value for your home. You can also do your own research:Analyze comparable listings and sales of similar homes in your neighborhood over the past 6 monthsSearch the internet for similar homes in your local market and look at Days on Market and compare list-to-sale-price ratios; adjust for variancesTour active listings nearby and adjust your price accordinglySet price based on market conditions and trendsPage 653 of 1116www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDEMARKETING YOUR HOMEYour agent should employ proven marketing techniques to sell your home for the highest sale price in the shortest time. Some waysyour agent can market your home to maximize exposure to potential buyers are:Street and home signageHigh-end, full-color marketing brochures and flyersProfessional photographyVirtual home tourProfessional home stagingSocial Media: facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.Property listing on web portals (zillow, trulia, realtor.com, etc.)Print advertising in local newspapers and magazinesDirect mail: postcards and flyersDedicated property websiteEmail newsletter to network and/or blog postPagePage537ofof1116www.upnest.comFor Sale

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDESHOWING YOUR HOMEHOME STAGINGConsider hiring a professional Home Staging company to showcase your home's best features and impress buyers. Studies showthat buyers pay more for staged homes, so it's likely you'll recoup your costs and command a higher sale price.DECORATEIntroduce accent colors via accessories (pillows, throws, etc.)Place fresh, new towels and hand soap in bathroomsAdd mirrors in rooms to give the illusion of more spacePlace a table runner and formal dining setting on your tableDisplay fresh flower arrangements throughout the homePage 538 ofof 1116www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDESHOWING YOUR HOMEOPEN HOUSEKeep your home accessible and ready for frequent showingsAllow a lockbox on your door so the buyer's agent can enter yourhome using a unique code instead of a keyStay away during open houses so buyers feel comfortable touringyour home and giving feedback to your agentOpen drapes and blinds and let the light inSet a comfortable temperature for the homePlay soft background music to drown out any nearby traffic noiseEliminate any odors (pets, food, cigarette); Use an air‐fresheneror scented candlesOffer refreshments like sodas, water, cookies, etc.If you're moving out before putting your house on the market, besure the lights, AC, and heat are workingPage 935 of 1116www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDEEVALUATING OFFERSIf your home is priced and marketed correctly, offers should start to roll in. Your agent will help you evaluate each offer and approacheach one as an opportunity to negotiate.ACCEPT, REJECT, COUNTER-OFFERYou have 3 choices when you get an offer for your home: Accept, Reject or Counter-OfferMultiple offers: Don't be tempted to take the highest offer - it's not always the best one!Don't reveal your personal circumstances - it may compromise your position and end up costing you thousands!For each offer, carefully review and evaluate:Proposed offer pricePre-approval or pre-qualification letterContingencies (financing, appraisal, inspections, repairs, etc.)Earnest money depositProposed closing dateExpiration date of offerPage 1035 ofof1116www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDEEVALUATING OFFERSA lot can happen in a real estate transaction and a deal can often fall through at the last minute. A good agent should be ableto manage any complexity that may arise to avoid delays and ensure a smooth process.DISCLOSURES & CONTINGENCIESDisclose all known home defects to buyers. Most states have property disclosure forms.The following contingencies may be attached to an offer:Buyer securing financingA title search to ensure there aren't any claims against the titleContractual promises, such as repairs and buyer incentivesTitle Insurance to protect against any mistakes and errorsBuyer's home inspection and final walk‐throughHome appraisal requested by lender to ensure the home's sale pricejustifies the loan amountBuyer selling their home first - you can counter with a “Removal ofSale Contingency”Page 1135 of 1116www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDECLOSING EXPENSESREAL ESTATE AGENT COMMISSIONSCongratulations! You are about to close on the sale of your home! As the seller, you will likely be paying the entire commission, to be splitbetween the buyer's agent and yours. This is covered in your signed Listing Agreement.TRANSFER TAX:Your county or city may require you to pay transfer taxes as a percentage of sale price. Transfer tax varies depending on state,county, and city.CLOSING COSTS OR CREDITS TO THE BUYERYou might have agreed to pay various standard costs associated with closing the deal, such as escrow fees, home appraisal cost,recording and transfer of the property, Homeowners and Title Insurance, and more.Page 1235 ofof1116www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDECLOSING EXPENSESCAPITAL GAINS TAXConsult your tax advisor on this topic to get specificsIf you're selling your primary home and you earn less than 250,000 on your home sale (or 500,000if you're married and filing jointly), you will not owe capital gains tax. If you earn more, research to see what you owe.If your property is an investment property, then you're obligated to pay the capital gains tax unless you are doing a 1031 exchangeHOME WARRANTY FOR THE BUYERMany sellers buy a home warranty on the buyer's behalf. This is a service contract (cost: 500) that covers repairs to appliancesand certain systems within the house for the first year of ownership.MOVING COSTSWhile it may be tempting to save some money by asking friends and family to help you move, it's best to hire a moving company to take care of allyour moving needs. Research and reserve a reputable mover and confirm your moving date, costs, and other details.If you're moving long-distance, consider enlisting a Relocation Specialist or relocation company to assist youPage 1335 ofof1116www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDECLOSING/ESCROWHOME INSPECTION, INSURANCE & APPRAISALPrepare home for buyer's final walk‐through and home inspectionOnce the deed is recorded or title has transfered, call your home insurance company to request a pro‐rated refund on your policyThe buyer's lender will request an appraisal to ensure the home's sale price justifies the loan amount. If the appraisal comes in lowerthan the sale price, the buyer has to secure additional funds to cover the gap between the loan and the sale price or may ask you torenegotiate the contract.UTILITIES, NEWSPAPERS, AND MAGAZINESMake a list of phone numbers for your utility companies and cancel them in a timely mannerCancel newspaper/magazine subscriptions a week or more in advance to stop them from piling upHOUSE/MAILBOX KEYS & REMOTESThe buyers will probably change the locks but you should leave behind all keys (house, gate, mailbox) and remotes.Page 1435 ofof1116www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDECLOSING/ESCROWAPPLIANCE MANUALS, RECEIPTS AND WARRANTIESSet aside manuals for major appliances for the new buyerLeave receipts from contractors or warranties in a drawerLeave any codes for the security alarm or other home systemsFINAL CHECKSPat yourself on the back.you're almost done!Double check your closets, drawers, storage, and garage to make sure you don't leave anything behindClose windows and drapes/blindsLock all the doorsIf you still have electricity, turn everything off, including the lightsSave closing documents for reporting the sale on federal and state tax formsPage 1535 ofof1116www.upnest.com

THE ULTIMATE HOME SELLER’S GUIDEwww.upnest.comABOUT UPNESTUpNest is an online real estate marketplace that matches home buyers and sellers with top, local agents who compete fortheir business. Buyers and sellers receive personalized agent quotes offering competitive rates and services. Our no-obligation service is fast, free, and guarantees the best value. To learn more, please visit www.upnest.com.Follow usFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/upnestTwitter: https://twitter.com/upnest 2015 UpNest, Inc. Reproduction of this eBook without permission is prohibited.Page 1635 ofof1116

Working with a top, experienced real estate agent is crucial to the successful sale of your home. A good agent will protect your interests and resolve any problems that arise, ensuring a stress free process. You can rely on a good real estate agent to: . Direct mail:

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