Seller's Guide

What do you want to accomplish with the sale of your home? Do you want to make a certain amount of money that you can put toward a larger or nicer home? Do you need to sell it as soon as possible to facilitate a move to a new city or area? Once you understand your needs, you can better craft your offer. For example, if you need to sell quickly, you might want to price your home lower than if your goal is to make a certain profit margin. Make sure you convey these needs to your real estate agent once you choose one so he or she can adjust your selling price accordingly.

If you’ve kept your home in showroom condition since you’ve lived in it, you’re in the minority of homeowners. Once you price your home, it’s time to start getting it ready to be shown to potential buyers. This includes getting rid of clutter, depersonalizing the space so that buyers can envision themselves in the space, making any small repairs, and doing a deep clean to make sure your home is in pristine condition.

Receiving an offer is an exciting part of the process, but it doesn’t mean the journey is over. As the seller, you are responsible for reviewing each offer and deciding whether to accept, reject, or make a counteroffer. If the offer is lower than expected, you can respond by negotiating terms such as covering part of the closing costs, adjusting the move-in date, or addressing repair requests. Keep in mind that fixtures—items permanently attached to the home—automatically stay with the property unless specifically excluded in the contract.

You’ve accepted an offer—congratulations! You’re in the home stretch of your selling journey. Before closing, there may still be a few items to take care of, like inspections, an appraisal, or completing any agreed-upon repairs. If repairs are needed, it’s up to you as the seller to coordinate those and make sure they’re handled by the right people. I’m here to support you and help keep things on track, but you'll take the lead on organizing those final details. If any questions come up about closing or legal documents, your closing attorney is the best person to contact. And don’t forget to plan your move—closing day will be here before you know it!