Mills Realty Group

Step 1: Find a Real Estate Agent

• Interview several agents to see if their personality and expertise matches your needs and wants
• Great real estate agents have these qualifications:
  • Local market knowledge
  • Great reviews and testimonials
  • Financial Knowledge
• Avoid “hobby agents” - find an experienced agent who works full time!
• Great agents are punctual and communicative
  • Did your agent show up on time & prepared?
  • Do they communicate in a way that you understand and that you feel comfortable with?
• Does your agent have a network of connections? Great agents work with other agents on a regular basis
• Ask about their marketing processes: How are they marketing other properties?
  • Are they utilizing social media?
  • Do they have a marketing plan for their listings?
  • Create a list of 10 things you LOVE about your home, and share this with your agent.

Step 2: Plan Your Timeline

• Determine when would be the best time to put your house on the market with your agent.
• Meet with an agent to discuss the best listing strategy based on the local market.
• Have an idea of where you’d like to move before you put your home on the market.

Step 5: Prepare Your House for Viewing

• Clean & Declutter
  • Show them the 10 things you love about your home.While we love the memories that your home represents, we suggest hiding anything that might be considered “clutter”.
  • Try to keep decorations as neutral as possible - we want potential buyers to be able to imagine themselves in this space.
  • Deep clean forgotten places (base boards, light switches, etc.) OR hire a cleaning crew - a few hundred dollars on cleaners can help get you thousands in the sale!
• Improve Curb Appeal
  • Maintain landscaping.
  • Clear out the side yard area.
  • Hide eyesores like trash cans or compost bins
• Hire a professional stager or ask your real estate agent for suggestions.

Step 6: Market Your Home

• Discuss your agent’s marketing plan with them to create the best strategy for your unique home.
• Have your agent schedule high-quality real estate photography for your home. Professional photography can get you thousands more in a sale!
• Schedule a time with your agent to do the pre-listing marketing they need - video walkthroughs, social media blasts, etc.

Step 7: Showing Your Home

• Decide whether you want to have a lock box or schedule appointments.
• Prepare for open houses.
• Store important financial documents and valuables in a safe place away from the public eye.

Step 11: Buyer’s Due Diligence Period

• Be prepared to allow the buyer reasonable access to your home and property for them to conduct inspections.
• After the home inspection, do not be alarmed if the buyer wants to schedule specialists like electricians or plumbers to come in and inspect the home.
• If the buyer submits a request for repairs, work with your agent to negotiate a solution between both parties.
• If any reports were required in the accepted offer (ex: a termite report), provide the buyer with them.

Step 12: Bank Ordered Appraisal

• The buyer’s lender will conduct an appraisal to verify that the market value of the home supports the contract price.

Step 13: The Home Stretch

• Once the buyer has lifted contingencies and their deposit is locked in, complete any requested repairs before closing.
• Expect the buyer to schedule a final walk-through, where they will verify that the condition of the property is the same as when they made the offer. This also allows the buyer to ensure that any agreed upon repairs have been completed.