Real Estate Blog

Six Steps to Selling Your Property

Just the thought of selling your property can seem daunting. There are tons of steps and it seems like everyone these days has a real estate license. So who do you call and where do you even begin?

Call An Agent

The most crucial part of the entire process is selecting the right agent. You want someone who is not only knowledgeable in your market and the type of property you are selling but someone who is also local to you and willing to be at all of the showings.

Having an agent on your side who is willing to take the time to accompany each showing will not only make you feel more comfortable allowing strangers into your home at all hours of the day, but your agent can also answer any questions on the spot and clear up any uncertainties the potential buyer may have.

You also want to work with someone with a pleasant demeanor just to improve your experience! The process length can vary depending on several different things, so you may as well be working with someone you like!

Prepare Your Property

After meeting with your agent and giving them a tour of your property, they may have made a few suggestions on how to make your property “show-ready”.

This can range from decluttering the home or garage, clearing up some pastures, or even power washing the exterior of your home before a new coat of paint.

This is also when you’ll want to make any repairs and consider having your inspection done if the property you are selling includes a home.

This will allow you to make any repairs ahead of time, which can put a buyer at ease.

Professional Photography

This is HUGE…and at no cost to you! A well-versed, experienced agent knows the best property photographers and will spare no expense when it comes to capturing your property in its best light.

99% of the time a buyer’s first impression of your property is going to be online. That means that you want the best photos on the MLS.

List on the MLS and Showings

Once the photos are taken and you and your agent have decided on a reasonable list price, your property will be listed for sale!

There are several different sites that your property can be listed on – be sure the agent you chose is a member of the local MLS so it gets seen the most!

Listings on the MLS will filter to sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Homes.com. If you have a big property for sale you’ll want it on Lands.com as well, which will filter to even more sites!

Showings will also begin at this time…and to be honest, this can be the trickiest part – especially if you are still living there.

Remember to leave your home “show-ready” each morning before heading to work and give those pups a pep talk about the buyers who might be coming by.

Contract Negotiations

After receiving an offer, you and your agent will go over everything with a fine-toothed comb. This is when to ask questions!

You’ll want to take note of the option period, closing costs, and anything the buyer may be asking of you. Oh, and the sales price!

Once everything is agreed upon, the execution date will cue the start of the buyer’s option period.

This is when any inspections that the buyer wants will take place. The buyer may come back with a few repair requests (or not if you had an inspection and did things before listing!) or potentially a new sales price.

Once you make it through the option period, you are one step closer to…

Closing Day!

Ah yes, the beautiful closing day. This is the easy part! But can also be the most stressful part because it ain’t over till it’s over!

The title company will have all the documents ready to go for both you and the buyer. In Texas, it is legal for both parties to be at the same closing table, so depending on how things are arranged, you may be sitting across from the people buying your place!

Once everything is signed (in blue ink!), and funding is approved, you are done!

Making It Through

No matter how you slice it, selling a property can be overwhelming. However, things can be made a little more pleasant with the right support system.

Give one of our knowledgeable agents a call if you have the slightest notion of selling your property. They can come out and take a look at your property and give you a potential listing price.

What do you have to lose?