THE PROCESS
1. Let’s Talk
Meet with us to discuss your plans and goals, trends in the current marketplace, and assess your property’s qualities and characteristics. We will analyze comparable property sales, assess the competition, work with you to determine pricing strategy, and outline a strategic plan to achieve the best possible result for you as a seller.
2. Setting the Stage
From applying a fresh coat of paint to rearranging furniture, to staging, we will ensure that the property is visually ready for showing.
We will schedule a professional photo shoot, commission an illustrative floor plan, and prepare a listing description. At this time, you will complete the Seller Disclosure documents that will be necessary for the transaction.
3. Going Live
We have differnt strategies, incorporating Compass Private Exclusives, Compass Coming Soon, and going ’live’ on Compass and the Multipel Listing Service, broadcasting to our 100+ partner sites for the duration of the selling process.
4. Spreading the Word
The Compass marketing team produces beautiful print collateral to strategically showcase your property. We develop and execute an intelligent, trgeted marketing plan in relevant publications and on social media. Eye- catching property signs are produced and placed outside your property.
5. Making Connections
We continuously leverage professional contacts and our vast network to find ideal buyer brokers. Open houses are hosted for both brokers and clients on an ongoing basis.
6. Building a Strategy
We conduct an assessment of the market response within the first 30 days of your listing going live. Feedback from agents and buyers is aggregated, and the listing strategy is revised if needed.
7. Communication
We will establish the best method and frequency of communicating as the process unfolds. We pride ourselves on our communication, and will provide you with regular feedback and will keep you updated with continuous traffic metrics and information from the market.
8. Negotiations
Once we receive an offer, we will contact you to review and analyze the terms of the offer. Together, we will decide how to respond to the buyer in one of several ways: by accepting the offer, rejecting the offer, or making a counter offer.
9. Under Contract
Once a contract has been agreed to and signed by all parties, the contingency period will begin. Timelines for the completion of buyer and seller responsibilities will be listed in the purchase contract and adhered to during this period. We will keep a close eye on the timelines and ensure that you are in compliance with your responsibilities, while also holding the buyer’s side to task to keep the process moving.
10. Closing
We will monitor and coordinate all the details necessary to get you to the finish line. Once the buyer has performed their inspections, removed their contingencies, and the loan (if any) is ready to fund, we will arrange the final walk-through. At or near this time, payment will be made, and the keys will be handed over to the buyer. On to the next chapter!
Communication & Working Together
Working Together
Selling a home, whether you have lived in it for 50 years or just a few, can be an emotional and stressful experience. We are here to understand the highs and lows and to help mitigate any stress. We do this by establishing expectations and setting up strong avenues for open communication.
It goes without saying that you can expect complete confidentiality from us. We don’t share your personal information with anyone – agents, potential buyers or ‘nosey neighbors.’We become the experts of your home and accompany every showing. We value the trust you have taken in working with us and we will treat your home and possessions as we would our own.
Weekly Work Rhythm
We will give you as much advance notice of showings at your home as possible. We will give you feedback, to the best of our ability, after each showing. We will maintain a strong marketing presence throughout the listing of your home, including, among other things, on-line advertising, print advertising, social media postings and communications with agents.
Communication Tools
We can be reached daily between 8am – 9pm via phone, text and email. We like to set up a text thread, or email if that is your preferred method of communication, so that we are all in the loop. Please ‘reply all’ to emails!
From our first meeting, we want you to know we are available to talk, whether about a showing, the market or just for a check in. We like to have a weekly phone check-in where we can answer any questions or concerns.
Showing Your Home
Will will need access to your home with a key or code. As we mentioned, we accompany all showings.
The home needs to be show ready prior to each showing:
- The home should be tidy: no dishes in sink or on counter, counters wiped down, pet dishes stowed away, toilets flushed, beds made, etc. We always come to the showing early and can do a quick tidy in the case of a last minute showing.
- All personal items should be in a safe or in a safe and secure place. This includes all personal items of value such as jewelry, small electronics and all medications.
- We know you are living in your home, so small appliances on the kitchen counter and bathroom items in the shower are fine.
Please let us know if there are specific time frames that we can’t show the home ( for example, nap time, work-from-home hours, etc, and we will block off these times).
Communicating During Active Transactions
When we are in an offer process or active negotiation, it is ‘all players on the field!’ It is game time! We will be dealing with the buyers and the buyer’s agent, and we will need to respond in a timely manner. The phrase ‘time is of the essence’ is in the real estate contract. One or both of us will always be available. Please let us know if you have any schedule constraints during the active negotiation period.
Coverage Arrangements
One of the advantages of working with our team, is we make sure that one of us is always available to respond. If we are both out in the field or unable to respond, we will let you know in advance and make sure a teammate can cover our business. In most circumstances, one or both of us will be available.
Post Closing
Our goal is to be your trusted resource during the during the entire listing process – from photos through to the close, and well after you have moved. Please continue to let us know how we can support you! We have tried and true vendor relationships we love to refer. We have an incredible network throughout the country, so wherever you are, we would love to help. Real estate is one of your most significant assets and we treasure the opportunity to support and assist you any way we can.
Key Terms
Appraisal
Assessment of the property’s market value, for the purpose of obtaining a mortgage and performed by a licensed appraiser.
Assessed Value
Value placed upon property for property tax purposes by the Tax Collector.
Closing Costs
Expenses incidental to a sale of real estate, such as loan fees, appraisal fees, title insurance and escrow fees.
Closing Statement
The statement which lists the financial settlement between Buyer and Seller, and the costs each must pay.
Contingency
Certain criteria that have to be met in order to finalize the sale.
Conventional Mortgage
A mortgage or Deed of Trust not obtained under a government insured program such as FHA or VA.
Credit
Money given to a buyer from a seller through escrow at closing.
Earnest Money Deposit
Buyers in California usually deposit 3% of the purchase price to show that the buyer is serious about purchasing the home. It is usually refundable in the event a contingency in the sales contract cannot be met.
Fixed Rate Mortgage
A loan on which the interest rate and monthly payment do not change.
Home Warranty
A policy that covers certain repairs (e.g. plumbing/heating) of a newly purchased home for a period of time, typically one-year.
Preliminary Title Report
A report showing the condition of title before a sale or loan transaction. After completion of the transaction, a new title insurance policy will be issued.
Title Insurance
Insurance to protect the buyer and lender against losses arising from disputes over the ownership of a property.
Recording Fees
Money paid to the lender for recording a home sale with the local authorities, thereby making it part of the public records
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