Things to Do Before Listing Your Home
There are a number of criteria that should be met before you decide to list your home. Having trust and confidence in your real estate agents should be very high on that list. It is a fiduciary responsibility of ours to see that your needs come before our own. Prestige Properties knows we put our reputation on the line with each transaction in which we are involved. That is why we handle each sale as though it is personally our own.
Pricing strategies
This can be one of the most difficult decisions when selling your home. There are number of factors that are involved and should be discussed thoroughly with a real estate agent before deciding on how to properly price your home. We help find comparable properties that have sold and show you your current competition. In the luxury home market, there may be several nuances that are unique. You want agents who specialize in their market and have committed themselves to be as familiar with these features as possible.
Showing your home
A seller should feel that his agents are expert studies of their home. In luxury homes, there can be several great selling points. Your agents should be able to convey these points articulately and competently to others and be an "encyclopedia" of the amenities of your home. Prestige Properties’ training in the luxury home market helps us identify and understand these special features and effectively communicate them to potential buyers and their agents.
Great negotiating skills
Great negotiating skills should be a must you seek in the agent of your choice. We strive to obtain the best deal possible for our clients. We encourage a win-win situation for all parties involved. Being able to properly communicate your wants and needs is often overlooked by agents. We feel that this is an extremely important step in order to avoid future conflicts.
Management of closing
A seller should look for an agent with experience in overseeing the closing process. An agent should be keen on each and every task that needs to be completed and be able to communicate what steps are to be completed in the escrow process. Having a realtor with a good rapport with the escrow and title personal is essential to making sure these steps are completed in a timely, efficient manner.
Preparing your home for sale
Prestige Properties’ goal is to get the best possible financial deal in the sale of your home. In order to maximize your profit, there are several areas that may be addressed.
Staging your home, especially the upper-tier market, is one element that may be able to set your home above all other competition in your price range. Prestige Properties has relationships with several certified home stagers who are able to have your home shown in the best light possible. Home staging, coupled with professional photography, is another way to make your home stand out from other properties.
If you decide home staging is not right for you, we can suggest several ways to improve the showing of your property. Often a home owner can help eliminate buyer objections before they arise by making improvements and necessary repairs. Please contact us for an in-depth list of suggested ways to improve hour home’s showing.
Escrow and title processes
Escrow is a deposit of funds, a deed, or other instrument, by one party for the delivering to another party upon completion of a particular condition or event. It ensures that all conditions of the transactions are met. The escrow holder has the obligation to safeguard the funds/documents while they are in the possession of the escrow holder and to disburse funds and/or convey title only when all provisions of the escrow have been met.
Items and/or duties each side of the transaction must perform
Seller is responsible for:
- sign and return escrow instructions
- provide copies of lien information, such as existing loans, judgments, or other liens
- execute a deed notarized by the buyer
- complete the statement of information for title insurance purposes
- provide all required disclosure information and comply with lender requirements for repairs or work requirements, such as pest control clearances
- provide insurance information
- pay all seller agreed-upon fees and costs, such as commissions
Buyer is responsible for:
- sign and return escrow instructions
- designate the method for holding title ownership to the property
- provide information for liens, such as judgments and tax liens
- execute notarized trust deed and sign the note for indebtedness for the loan,
- comply with new lender loan requirements including credit report information
- complete the statement of information for title insurance purposes
- review and approve the preliminary title report, disclosure statements, and inspection reports provided
- execute all information needed by the title company, lender, and homeowner's association
- provide insurance information
- pay all fees and costs, including the buyer-broker agreement instructions