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Step 1: Creating a Marketing Plan
Create a marketing plan for your home that will help distinguish it in your
local marketplace and attract buyers to your property. This may include
advertising in the newspaper, posting your listing on the Internet, holding an
open house and more. CENTURY 21 Sales Professionals often use the CENTURY 21
Customized Marketing System to create a personalized selling program for
clients. Its purpose is to sell a home at the best price possible in the
shortest amount of time.
Step 2: Setting the Price
A
key part of the marketing plan is setting the list price. If a home is priced
too low, it may cost you money. If a home is priced too high, potential buyers
may be scared away. To determine the best asking price review the cost of
recently sold homes, evaluate the competition and study marketplace trends.
CENTURY 21 Sales Associates are trained to use this information to help you
reach the right asking price. It is also helpful to discuss other terms and
conditions, such as timing and items that can be included with the sale of the
home. Both of these can make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
Step 3: Showtime
Now
it's time to get your home ready for the spotlight. Start with a good cleaning,
then eliminate any clutter, add a fresh coat of paint and tidy up the yard. Talk
to your real estate professional about other tips that can help boost a home's
curb appeal and impress potential buyers once they're in the door. One way to
make a home more attractive is to purchase a Home Protection Plan. This
insurance protects you, the seller, from paying repair or replacement costs of
major items during the listing period. It also protects the buyer during their
first year of homeownership.
In
addition, make sure you are aware of all the federal, state, and local
disclosure laws. This information can be obtained by the specific local and
federal government agencies or from your local CENTURY 21 Office
Step 4: Protecting Yourself
In
some cases, a home sale can also be an invitation for danger. Here are some
things you can do to make the process safer.
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Ask for identification
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Ask for pre-approval letters
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Lock up and hide collectibles and valuables
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Remember "For Sale" signs bring in buyers. Do
not allow your children to open doors to strangers.
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If you have pets, make sure they are controlled
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Remove any dangerous items
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Talk to your CENTURY 21 Sales Professional about
additional safety tips to help protect you and your family.
Step 5: Making the Deal
A
buyer has made an offer - now it is time to negotiate. Rely on your real estate
professional to guide you through this process. He or she will help you arrive
at an acceptable price, terms and conditions. Once you have accepted an offer,
help keep the deal together by meeting deadlines and criteria, including home
inspections, appropriate buyer visits, scheduled deposits and other steps. In
fact, during this period there may be a renegotiation of the accepted offer
price depending on the outcomes of these visits. As the closing nears, you may
also need to perform repairs or do additional work to the house as agreed upon
in your contract. In addition, you will need to have the house "broom clean"
prior to the closing so that the buyer can complete a final walk through. When
you finally arrive at the closing table, come prepared with the appropriate
certificates and approvals as required by your town, county and state. Ask the
appropriate agency or get a list of what you need from your local CENTURY 21
Office. Once the money has exchanged hands and all the papers signed it's time
to hand over the keys and concentrate on your next big project - getting YOUR
new home in order.
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