Selling Process - Five Steps

Step 1 - Selecting an Agent

Choose a Realtor familiar with the area.

The award-wining agents at Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith provide superior market knowledge and expertise in the home selling process. An effective agent helps you prepare your home for selling to increase its marketability. Our award-winning agents have access to the local multiple listing service, a proven national referral network and an array of marketing tools specific to Coldlwell Banker to sell homes quickly.

If you have questions about the process, or if you're ready to speak to an agent, click here to take your first step toward selling your home

Obtain a Market Analysis - Understand what your house is worth

Properties priced appropriately sell in the shortest period of time. It's critical to price your home competitively in relationship to the conditions in the local marketplace. To get the most accurate estimate of how much you should list your property for, ask one of our agents for a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA). A CMA takes into account many aspect of your home, including size, features and overall condition. Click here to obtain a free Competitive Market Analysis.

Setting the Property Price

Setting the listing price of your home is an important step in the sales process. Your Realtor will help you determine the optimal price for your home, considering variables in pricing and market value such as general market conditions, buyer activity, market analysis, and time of year. Incorrect pricing could deprive you of the potential equity your home has earned as an investment. Overpricing can result in your home staying on the market longer than it should. It is essential to price your home appropriately.

Step 2 - Marketing your Home

Prepare your home for sale

From experience, a Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith agent knows that a 'well-polished" house is more appealing to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price. Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well cared for home because if what they see is maintained, what they cannot see has probably also been maintained. In preparing your house for sale, consider how much you should spend to enhance the exterior of the home for curb appeal and the interior for appearance. Ask your Coldwell Banker Sales Associate for a copy of "Dress Your House for Success".

What our Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith can do for you

Through Coldwell Banker's name recognition on national, regional and local levels, our company has unique access to buyers entering the Eastern Carolina market. Coldwell Banker has also launched a powerful advertising campaign, which includes exposure on the area's top radio stations, television shows, and national publications. Through our boldly aggressive media campaigns, consumers recognize Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation (Coldwell Banker(R)) as one of today's most experienced, innovative, consumer-focused, full service real estate companies. Our message reaches consumers globally through coldwellbanker.com, our award-winning real estate Internet site. For Sales Associates at COLDWELL BANKER ENTER WILLIS-SMITH , these nationally supported initiatives translate into a "pre-sold" name and reputation that helps open doors when meeting potential Buyers and Sellers .

Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith's listings are featured on our website - ColdwellBankerHomes.com, ColdwellBanker.com, and Realtor.com. We advertise nationally in Coastal Living, Where to Retire, and Soundings magazines as well as the local real estate advertising media. When you list your home with Coldwell Banker Willis-Smith, you'll have peace of mind knowing your property will be promoted in a variety of media.

Step 3 - Negotiating the Contract

When the time arrives for a buyer to make an offer on your home, your Coldwell Banker agent will review with you the strategy, price, terms, conditions, closing date, inclusions/exclusions and other pertinent issues pertaining to the offer. By working closely together, you'll be able to generate the best offer possible.

The Offer to Purchase and Sale Agreement, is a legally binding document whereby the homeowner and buyer agree to terms under which the buyer will acquire the seller's property.

Both buyers and sellers incur expenses of the sale, including closing costs. Buyers are typically responsible for cost associated with the down payment placed on their new home, any home inspections, a title insurance policy benefiting the lender, and any loan costs. The responsibility of the annual expenses of property taxes and any homeowner association fees is typically shared between buyers and sellers and prorated on the closing date.

Step 4 - Warranty, Inspections and Appraisals

Home Warranty - Why you should offer a home warranty

To enhance the success of selling your home and reduce the chances its new buyer will encounter problems after the sale, it's a prudent idea to invest in a home warranty. The Coldwell Banker Home Protection Plan, which is paid out of escrow at the closing of your real estate transaction, will cover the cost of many repairs or replacement systems to your home. From water heaters to septic systems to central air and heating, the Home Protection Plan covers repairs to a home while it's on the market for a specified time after the close of the sale. Your Coldwell Banker agent can provide you with the details of this coverage.

Home Inspections

Typically, the buyer will require a home inspection. A professional home inspector will thoroughly search the home for visual defects such as water damage, cracks in the walls, floors or foundation, plumbing leaks, or pest damage. They will also search for hidden flaws such as asbestos insulation, electrical problems or building, health/environmental or safety code violations. If the inspection uncovers areas that need repair, you and the buyer will negotiate how these discoveries are remedied..

Appraisal

An appraisal is an estimate of your property's value on the open market, generally prepared by a lender for their benefit. Appraisers consider a number of factors, including recent comparable sales, square footage, amenities, and energy efficiency. Other issues appraisers may take into account are neighborhood quality, a property's proximity to transportation, shopping, and schools as well as lot size, topography, view, and landscaping.

Step 5 - The Closing

Prior to the Closing, the buyers, with their agent, will perform a "walk through" of the home to ascertain that it has been left in good condition.

The final stage of the transaction process occurs with the transfer of title from seller to buyer. Attorneys prepare documents, draw up the closing statements, obtain necessary signatures, record documents and receive and disburse funds. The proceeds from the sale are released directly to you, the seller, via wire, automatic deposit, or check.

Once the closing papers have been completed and the deed recorded with the county, the buyer can take legal ownership of the home. The possession date for the new owner is determined by the terms of the sales contract. Prior to possession, you should start contacting the phone, electric, natural gas, garbage, and other utility companies to close any accounts relating to the home under your name.

Once you've sold your home, make sure to keep your closing and settlement papers organized in a file. Be sure to include receipts for any home improvements you made while you owned the house in the event that you have to pay capital gains tax. Contact the Internal Revenue Service directly at 800-TAX-FORM for publications that can assist you in the sale of your home

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