How to Sell with Confidence
In my last post, I discussed the crucial role of a hard-working buyer's agent in safeguarding your financial interests. This week I’ll share some of the responsibilities I take on as a seller’s agent, specifically in the period before a house goes to market. (Some of these may surprise you since many agents won’t go to these lengths for their clients!).
Case Study
I recently signed an agreement to sell a home in Santa Rosa. It’s a charming house in a beautiful neighborhood in Santa Rosa with mature trees and well-kept homes. The elderly woman who was living there is now in nursing care. She has a nephew working to move out her things and get the home ready to sell.
The nephew had some common questions:
“What should I update in the home and what should I leave as-is?”
“What updates and repairs will get me the most return on my investment?”
And “how can I help my aunt get the most amount of money for her home?”
The family needs that money to pay for her care. But honestly, what seller doesn’t want to get the highest price for their home?
Tailored Solutions for Your Unique Needs
As a seller’s agent, I wear many hats. Negotiator, marketer, therapist… the list goes on. An important one when getting a house ready for market is: Project Manager. You deserve the peace of mind that comes with having a dedicated agent managing the process.
The first line of business of a good project manager is to establish goals. Here are some of the goals that I helped my clients identify:
To have some time to distribute the aunt’s belongings to the family,
To make a little video for their family to have and cherish which will showcase and tell the story of her collectibles, and finally,
To sell the home for the highest possible price.
Helping them identify their goals gave them a sense of organization and clarity.
Once we had the goals established, we moved on to priorities, costs, and timeline.
Empower Yourself to Make Smart Decisions with my Expert Guidance
The family had good ideas for cosmetic improvements to the home and the energy to take on some of the work themselves on behalf of their sweet aunt. I brought to their attention some more foundational repairs which they hadn’t thought of, but which show up frequently in this area and can derail an escrow. We discussed the importance of inspections to ensure a smooth escrow (see my last blog post), and found the right point in the timeline for those.
My strategic guidance will help you achieve the highest possible sale price.
I did a market analysis of the neighborhood. Then we strategically chose only the handful of projects which will have the greatest return on investment. Not only was I able to help them organize their process, budget, and timeline, but I also brought trusted experts and resources to help them get it all done.
Focus on What Matters Most
Unburden yourself from the responsibilities of organization, communication, and scheduling and focus on what matters most to you. Whether that is looking for your next home or, in the case of my new clients, sorting through the treasured belongings of their aunt.
Everything described here is all included in what I call the “pre-marketing” period. We haven’t even gotten to the fun and fabulous sales and marketing techniques I employ! Stay tuned!
If you are thinking about selling your home and aren’t sure what projects will give you the greatest return on your investment, let’s talk. I can save you a ton of money and take the stressful burden off your shoulders.
707-217-3745