Selling Process
The Home Selling Process
Congratulations! You’ve decided to sell, but what comes next? Don’t feel overwhelmed, that’s exactly why we’re here! The diagram above outlines the general selling process, and I’ve shared a brief description below to give you an overview of what to expect. We can go into more substantial information when we speak. We can set this process in motion with an appointment.
First Steps...
Our initial consultation is by design, exploratory and we have options on how to best accomplish this for the sake of your time efficiency, safe health practices, and scheduling needs. If you prefer an initial call and follow-up onsite meeting, one electronically hosted meeting, or a combination of the two, we will accommodate your needs.
1. The preliminary call is for us to learn about your thoughts and plans; and Masha can learn about your needs, concerns, and expectations. On that call, we will schedule an onsite visit to your home or an electronic meeting where all owners could meet & speak with Masha in person. Masha’s Client Care Assistant will email you a document to complete online prior to your meeting so that she is prepared to meet your needs and brings the relevant, valuable knowledge you need to move forward.
2. At the second meeting we will tour through home and discuss possible staging/ pre-marketing repairs/updates that are advised before selling your home. Masha can provide a list of allied resources if needed. We will help you see the current real estate market in context to ensure you have the right expectations. You can share any information about your home, home sales you feel are relevant, and ask any questions about how Masha will market & sell your home.
3. If for any reason you prefer not to have an in-home meeting, we are happy to host both of these meetings electronically via zoom. The time frames would be similar and we request that all owners involved in the decision-making process be available to meet with Masha.
By the end of this meeting ( generally 90 minutes ), we will have determined if we will work together,created your time frame, set your home selling plans in motion, and executed our exclusive listing agreement to set our partnership in motion.
1. The preliminary call is for us to learn about your thoughts and plans; and Masha can learn about your needs, concerns, and expectations. On that call, we will schedule an onsite visit to your home or an electronic meeting where all owners could meet & speak with Masha in person. Masha’s Client Care Assistant will email you a document to complete online prior to your meeting so that she is prepared to meet your needs and brings the relevant, valuable knowledge you need to move forward.
2. At the second meeting we will tour through home and discuss possible staging/ pre-marketing repairs/updates that are advised before selling your home. Masha can provide a list of allied resources if needed. We will help you see the current real estate market in context to ensure you have the right expectations. You can share any information about your home, home sales you feel are relevant, and ask any questions about how Masha will market & sell your home.
3. If for any reason you prefer not to have an in-home meeting, we are happy to host both of these meetings electronically via zoom. The time frames would be similar and we request that all owners involved in the decision-making process be available to meet with Masha.
By the end of this meeting ( generally 90 minutes ), we will have determined if we will work together,created your time frame, set your home selling plans in motion, and executed our exclusive listing agreement to set our partnership in motion.
Next Step
Pre-Marketing Home Prep & Staging, Create & Implement Marketing Plan, Review Offers & Contract Acceptance- This is where we get busy working to support you as you make any needed pre-sale repairs, updates, and staging changes to your home to increase both desirability and bullet-proof your sale from inspection pitfalls. If you need inspectors, contractors, or ancillary support services, we have resources to share with our clients.
While you are working on that, we will be creating the ‘story of your home’ and highlighting all of its amenities and features, along with the neighborhood and local community! Professional photos will be taken and virtual and 3D videos will be created; digital, social media & traditional marketing methods will be a part of your unique marketing plan created by Masha’s Marketing Assistant to boost efforts around your home sale. It is designed specifically to elevate your home’s visibility and reach the most interested & qualified families. Maximum exposure, with top-notch marketing, leads to some pretty amazing results for our clients! Click here for a breakdown of the marketing elements.
What Comes Next?
We will monitor showings, feedback, and also prepare to review offers with you.
Reviewing & Negotiating Offers
Congratulations we have a buyer! Now what? Negotiation skills are the most overlooked item when choosing a Realtor and can cost a seller a lot of money. Having earned the Certified Negotiation Expert Designation, Masha is prepared to represent your fiduciary needs at the highest level. Masha’s clients have shared that her expertise in negotiating is one of the most important reasons they chose her to be their Realtor- and one of the things they really appreciated about Masha!
We will set up a time to review all offers. Masha then creates a spreadsheet to break down the “nuts & bolts” of all important terms in all offers so you can see how they compare side by side. Because offers can come with many contingencies and caveats that you don't see in everyday life, Masha always reviews each aspect of the offer, explains terms and how they affect your bottom line, will listen to your questions, and provide answers to any concerns.
Each offer will be carefully weighed against your goals and a response crafted to all buyer’s agents as well as the agent who represents the buyer whose offer is the one you decide to contract! Because Masha has worked hard for 30 years to develop stellar relationships with peers in her community she has also created a “five-star working relationship” with other Realtors in town. This is a real advantage for her clients as having strong working relationships helps to facilitate quick and positive transaction experiences for her clients.
Final Step!
Due Diligence Period
Once under contract, there is a waiting period while the buyer’s agent schedules and completes any inspections, estimates, or additional due diligence they have been tasked by the buyers. What happens during this period often is determined by the terms of the contract. Loan processing, appraisals, surveys, and title search are also completed during the Due Diligence Period. If there are negotiations for modifications of terms, repairs, or credits this will occur during this time period and any documents pertaining to changes will be executed before the term for Due Diligence expires. If any changes are made, Masha and her team will ensure all parties will be notified and compliance occurs. During this time you will be securing your move-out plans and ensuring that you will be moving out and having your home cleaned prior to the buyer’s final walk-through date. If you need resources for this Masha can share her updated list of allied partners.
Preparing for Settlement
The buyer’s closing attorney generally prepares all documents for the settlement. This can also include the typical seller closing documents- The Deed & Lien Waiver, Specific Power of Atty for Masha to sign the settlement forms at the closing table, and other tax-related forms pertaining to the sale of your home.
Now that Due Diligence is completed you will be confirming your final move-out plans. We will remind you to transfer utilities out of your name as of the day after your closing date and to change your insurance plan accordingly as well.
The attorney will be preparing the settlement documents ALTA and Seller CD for us to review and confirm. Once you have given Masha your approval she will make plans to sign these documents on your behalf as your Agent at settlement so that you do not need to make a personal appearance.
Record & Close Escrow
In the days before closing the settlement agent/ attorney will send over your settlement documents, also known as ALTA/ CD to review with Masha. Once confirmed she will sign those forms on the day of closing and bring all keys for the new owner.
The buyer’s funds will arrive the day of settlement and once confirmed, the attorney will record this sale with the Register of Deeds office in your County. It is at this point that the ownership transfers.
Through the closing attorney, we can help you arrange to have your proceeds sent by wire, priority mail, or pick them up and deliver them to you in person after recording.
Endorse Masha with Your Online Review
Masha and her team will be reaching out to you with special requests to provide a glowing review of their services on your behalf. To make it easy they will share a direct link to her google review page and hope that you too will want to share the love and leave a 5-star review!
Once under contract, there is a waiting period while the buyer’s agent schedules and completes any inspections, estimates, or additional due diligence they have been tasked by the buyers. What happens during this period often is determined by the terms of the contract. Loan processing, appraisals, surveys, and title search are also completed during the Due Diligence Period. If there are negotiations for modifications of terms, repairs, or credits this will occur during this time period and any documents pertaining to changes will be executed before the term for Due Diligence expires. If any changes are made, Masha and her team will ensure all parties will be notified and compliance occurs. During this time you will be securing your move-out plans and ensuring that you will be moving out and having your home cleaned prior to the buyer’s final walk-through date. If you need resources for this Masha can share her updated list of allied partners.
Preparing for Settlement
The buyer’s closing attorney generally prepares all documents for the settlement. This can also include the typical seller closing documents- The Deed & Lien Waiver, Specific Power of Atty for Masha to sign the settlement forms at the closing table, and other tax-related forms pertaining to the sale of your home.
Now that Due Diligence is completed you will be confirming your final move-out plans. We will remind you to transfer utilities out of your name as of the day after your closing date and to change your insurance plan accordingly as well.
The attorney will be preparing the settlement documents ALTA and Seller CD for us to review and confirm. Once you have given Masha your approval she will make plans to sign these documents on your behalf as your Agent at settlement so that you do not need to make a personal appearance.
Record & Close Escrow
In the days before closing the settlement agent/ attorney will send over your settlement documents, also known as ALTA/ CD to review with Masha. Once confirmed she will sign those forms on the day of closing and bring all keys for the new owner.
The buyer’s funds will arrive the day of settlement and once confirmed, the attorney will record this sale with the Register of Deeds office in your County. It is at this point that the ownership transfers.
Through the closing attorney, we can help you arrange to have your proceeds sent by wire, priority mail, or pick them up and deliver them to you in person after recording.
Endorse Masha with Your Online Review
Masha and her team will be reaching out to you with special requests to provide a glowing review of their services on your behalf. To make it easy they will share a direct link to her google review page and hope that you too will want to share the love and leave a 5-star review!
