Home Selling Process

Selling your home shouldn’t be a stressful ordeal. Your first step will be to contact Barbara. Barbara will visit your property to become familiar with its attributes. This is a good time to gather all paperwork that you will need, such as property survey, septic and well maps (if applicable), a list of improvements that you have made to your property, and a yearly ballpark figure of all household expenses—electricity, water, gas, oil, lawn care/maintenance, trash removal etc. You will also need a Connecticut Real Estate Attorney; Barbara can provide a list of attorney’s and movers if needed.

During my initial visit to your home, we will discuss how to make your home most marketable. First impressions are always the best—there is no second chance so I will look at your home as through a buyer’s eyes and we will work together to show off its best advantages.

What should I list my home for?

It is important to remember that real estate markets are local, and market conditions from town to town vary, also from neighborhood to neighborhood within a town. Many factors affect a list price of a home—location, condition, amenities, supply and demand, and also the economic state of affairs. Because of this, you need a comprehensive market analysis prepared by an experienced real estate professional. Once all of this information is taken into consideration, I will be able to arrive at a realistic listing price for your property.

What paper work is required to get the process started?

Sellers of residential property in Connecticut will be provided with the following forms –Consumer Information Statement on Real Estate Relationships, Agency Relationship Agreement, Affiliated Business Disclosure Statement, Exclusive Right to Sell Agreement, Property Listing Waiver Form (if applicable), Disclaimer Regarding Third-Party Resources, Multiple Listing Service Input Form, State of Connecticut Dept. of Consumer Protection Residential Property Condition Disclosure—(unless exemption applies), Lead Based Paint Disclosure (if applicable), Mold or Mold–Forming Condition(s) Property Disclosure Form, Underground Oil Tank (if applicable),Seller’s Inclusion/Exclusion Addendum, Dual Agency/Designated Agency and American Home Shield–Warranty Protection Plan.

Personal Marketing Plan—To Yield the best Results.

Your home and needs are unique, and no two properties are the same. I will design a custom marketing plan that will be implemented, specifically to assist your unique property in reaching a broad spectrum of qualified buyers. In today’s day and age the internet plays a major role in the home sales process. I am proud to offer exposure on BarbaraSweeneyHomes.com and several other websites—Realtor.com, ColdwellBankerMoves.com, Yahoo.com, NY times.com, Google.com, Trulia.com and Coldwell Banker’s Global websites. The sale of your property—is probably your largest investment. Barbara takes this commitment very seriously, and a successful result is very important to her. My personalized, individual marketing plan is designed to give your property maximum exposure, ensuring in a successful outcome.

The Offer

When an offer is presented—by a ready, willing and able buyer, I will work with you to evaluate the terms and price. Having buyer’s pre-approved and qualified is of the utmost importance. Experience makes a difference at this critical stage, and I am proud of the years of market expertise that I bring to each and every transaction.

Typically the offer is presented to the Buyer’s Agent, or can also be presented to the seller in the presence of the seller’s agent. The following information is included:

• The opening offer—the amount the buyer is willing to pay
• The amount of earnest money
• Financing terms
• Closing date
• Any applicable contingencies which might include—mortgage commitment date, appraisal, inspections—(building, pest, septic, well, underground oil tank, radon, water, asbestos and lead, pool, tennis court).
• Contract signing date—and balance of deposit
• Any personal property that is to be included or excluded from the sale

If an offer is not acceptable to you, further negotiations may be necessary—counter negotiations are common, before all parties reach a meeting of the mind. I will continue to work closely with you until a deal evolves and provide all the necessary information to your real estate attorney.

Contract

Contracts are prepared by the seller’s attorney and sent to the buyers’ attorney. This contract incorporates all of the terms from the offer to purchase that we all agreed to. After review by the buyer’s attorney, the contract will be signed by the buyer and the balance of the deposit (customarily 10% total) of the agreed upon sales price will be held in escrow by the attorney. The contracts are returned to the seller’s attorney and then signed by the sellers. Upon expiration of contingency dates or release of them the only event pending is the final walk-through and closing.

Closing

Prior to closing, the buyer will perform a walk-through inspection of the home. A closing typically takes place at the seller’s attorney’s office or another mutually agreed upon location. The buyer receives the house keys and the seller will convey the deed to the buyer. At this time the seller will receive payment, conveyance taxes to the municipally and state and any applicable mortgages will be paid off. Your attorney will record the deed and property transfer in the Town or City Hall.

 

Costs on the Sale of a Property (Typically incurred by the Seller):