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A Step-by-Step First Time Seller's Guide

Welcome! Please read through how we work to better understand how we assist with bringing your home to the market.

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Step 1: Listing Meeting/Discovery

Our initial meeting will cover market analysis and pricing strategy for your home. There are many variables when it comes to pricing. It’s not just square footage. We need to consider location, curb appeal, character, views, privacy, age, condition and many other factors. Here my number one goal is to bring in buyers and protect your nest-egg.
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Step 2: House Prep

Walking through your home with the lens of an experienced agent can be quite valuable. This is where I give you strategic suggestions to get the most bang-for-your-buck when it comes to sprucing up your home. It could be plants, carpet, paint or even something more complex but this is a vital part of the marketing process. Think upgrades, repairs, cleaning, depersonalizing and staging. We then get inspections, prepare disclosures and put out the “Coming Soon” sign.
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Step 3: Marketing

All buyers and buyer’s agents must know about your home. Using innovative marketing through digital and print is imperative. Some of the aspects to consider are professional photography, email campaigns, mail campaigns, international property exposure, print advertising where appropriate, company wide agent network, social media, street and home signage, professionally designed marketing brochures, postcards and flyers. Some of these will go out before your house is on the market to drum up excitement.
 
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Step 4: Go Live!

Here’s where all the marketing streams are live, you keep your home clean and ready to show for the real estate broker tour, open houses scheduled and individual showings. Most of my clients say, at this point, that their home has never looked this good.
Generate Offer(s) and Negotiate- Where your house is priced will, often, determine whether you get multiple offers or one offer that is under the asking price. It all comes into play during the negotiation phase and this is where I go to bat to get you the highest, best and most sure offer.

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Step 5: Close!

Once the buyer removes contingencies, there is a final sign-off and a final walk through. The buyer’s loan documents are signed, funds are wired, escrow closes and title transfers to the new owners. We deliver keys to the new owners and you celebrate. Pop the champagne!

Congratulations!

Once you have sold your home, you’re free to take the next step on your journey. Whether this is relocating to a new city, moving into a larger home, or downsizing and enjoying your life as empty-nesters, knowing all your selling responsibilities have been taken care of will help you achieve peace of mind for your new path.

FAQ

The answer here is really an equation that includes factors like size, location, condition, amenities, neighborhood offerings and recent sales near you of similar properties. This will give us a price range and, in the end, the true price will be known when it is exposed to the market.

First and foremost, a real estate agent is your expert advisor to protect your largest asset or investment. There are a plethora of potential problems and a sea of forms that come with buying/selling a home. The process can be very emotional. Your agent is an objective voice of reason and negotiation during this exciting time in your life. That is why it is imperative that you select an experienced and honest professional to represent you.

FThere are many factors that would determine when you might want to buy or sell. We are fortunate in the Bay Area to have a historically strong and resilient market. Depending on your goals, we can pin down the ideal moment for you. Even when prices go down nationwide, the Silicon Valley is usually the last area to drop and the first to rebound.

While there are many “nice to have” aspects of an agent, you should be sure that you look for one with experience and that is honest. An agent should know the ins and outs of the real estate transaction experience and should, most importantly, place your interests above all others...especially above their own interest.

Calling me! Let’s schedule a meeting so that I can familiarize you with the home-selling process as well as the next steps. Here are my steps to buying a home with me.

That all depends on the market: how aggressive buyers are, the available inventory, motivation of sellers, etc..  There can also be unforeseen glitches along the way. I have had to deal with lot-line adjustments, easements, mold abatement, getting tenants out of the home, wells that need redigging, septic replacement, rodents, discontinued electrical boxes, unpermitted spaces and many more factors that can delay the purchase date.  Here is another area where I help you navigate the intricacies and unknowns of the home selling process. 

When the demand for homes is greater than the available home inventory. This is an opportunity for seller’s to have an easier time selling and where buyers have to sweeten the deal to win a multiple offer situation.

Inspections are extremely important and provide valuable information. We absolutely need property, pest, and roof inspections. If there are fireplaces, a chimney inspection could be needed. If there is a pool, then likewise, it may need to be inspected. If any specific questions come up from these or other inspections, we may need to delve deeper and could do asbestos, mold, tree, soil, lead or foundation.

What I’ve found to be very effective is a blend of customized marketing and my vast network. These combined help make sure that every buyer out there knows about your home — and how great it is.

It is always best to balance costs and benefits. I can help you determine what, if any, changes would ensure the greatest return. Sometimes, you don’t want to do a thing because some homes are destined to be purchased by people who want to put a lot of money into it and add their own touches to it or resell it. So, call me before making any changes. I could save you a lot of money or make your home investments pay off.

The thing I hear the most from people is that they trusted my every move during the process. Next they praise my steadfast commitment to honesty coupled with a calm and experienced demeanor. This translates to my clients being at greater ease throughout the entire process. They know, without a doubt, that I am clearly looking out for their best interests.

The seller pays for both the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent. I only get paid if/when keys change hands and the transaction is complete.
 So, give me a call, it won’t cost you a dime.

We will analyze the situation and the market. Then strategize on how to adjust our approach as well as devising our next steps. 
At the right price, houses sell in any market.

Work With Laila

Are you looking for an expert to help you buy or sell a home? Laila is a highly skilled full-service agent that serves an entire range of residential real estate clients in Silicon Valley. Contact her today!