These steps will help you better understand the process of selling your home through a Realtor or as a FSBO. This is for your benefit or
understanding the basic process, not all sales are the same.
1. Finding a Realtor
A. Interview Realtors that you know or come recommended if possible. Realtors have minimal responsibility to a prospect until a mutual
agreement is signed between the seller and the broker/agent.
B. Realtors are required to review Pennsylvania's Consumer Notice with all prospects during first contact. To review or print out the Consumer
Notice click here.
C. A Realtor will evaluate your house, make recommendations and create a CMA for you. If you would like a generic CMA click here.
2. Now you’re ready to list your house.
A. Your Realtor will require you to sign a listing agreement with the broker of record from the Realtor's office. The listing agreement is
negotiable, although most brokers and Realtors follow a set of office guidelines.
B. At this time you will choose a list price, agree on terms of the listing agreement and the Realtor will, if not already started, fill out a listing sheet
for the MLS.
C. You will need to fill out a seller disclosure form, required on for all residential sales. Your Realtor can answer your questions but this form is
to be filled out by the owner of the house.
D. Most local governments require an occupancy permit or similar to sell your house. This is to assure local officials that your house meets local
regulations. Your Realtor will help you obtain this.
E. Make all recommended changes to the house as soon as possible. This will help for better sale value and a faster sale.
F. Follow advice of Realtor for showings and open houses, each Realtor has their own style.
3. Agreement to purchase offer.
Your Realtor will receive all agreements of sales and must present them to you in timely manner.
A. Review the agreement of sale, sometimes a counter agreement is required. All changes must be initialed. If you signed the original, then you
have a bounding sales contract. If you submit a counter offer, you are bound to the contract if the buyer accepts it. Or you can decline the
offer and no one is bound to a contract. These negotiations go back and fourth but remember you want to sell fast and reasonable in most
cases.
4. After you agreed to a sales agreement time becomes very important for both buyer and seller because most contracts are
based
on events getting done in certain time frames.
A. Mortgage companies require different and sometimes multiple inspections. The buyer may have their own inspector(s). Your contract may
depend on an inspection both timely and everything being functional to standard.
B. If repairs or upgrades are required they will need to be completed prior to closing. If repair cost exceed the contract both the buyer and
seller can either cancel the contract or negotiate the extras and add an addendum to the sales agreement.
5. At settlement the agreement is completed and the house changes hands.
A. The buyer generally picks the title company for settlement.
B. This is generally a half hour process.
6. Notes of interest
A. You have rights to negotiate all agreements prior to signing.
B. If you would like to print out or review the Consumer Notice click here.
C. If you would a generic CMA please click here.
D. If you would like to know more or have a question please feel free to contact me click here.
understanding the basic process, not all sales are the same.
1. Finding a Realtor
A. Interview Realtors that you know or come recommended if possible. Realtors have minimal responsibility to a prospect until a mutual
agreement is signed between the seller and the broker/agent.
B. Realtors are required to review Pennsylvania's Consumer Notice with all prospects during first contact. To review or print out the Consumer
Notice click here.
C. A Realtor will evaluate your house, make recommendations and create a CMA for you. If you would like a generic CMA click here.
2. Now you’re ready to list your house.
A. Your Realtor will require you to sign a listing agreement with the broker of record from the Realtor's office. The listing agreement is
negotiable, although most brokers and Realtors follow a set of office guidelines.
B. At this time you will choose a list price, agree on terms of the listing agreement and the Realtor will, if not already started, fill out a listing sheet
for the MLS.
C. You will need to fill out a seller disclosure form, required on for all residential sales. Your Realtor can answer your questions but this form is
to be filled out by the owner of the house.
D. Most local governments require an occupancy permit or similar to sell your house. This is to assure local officials that your house meets local
regulations. Your Realtor will help you obtain this.
E. Make all recommended changes to the house as soon as possible. This will help for better sale value and a faster sale.
F. Follow advice of Realtor for showings and open houses, each Realtor has their own style.
3. Agreement to purchase offer.
Your Realtor will receive all agreements of sales and must present them to you in timely manner.
A. Review the agreement of sale, sometimes a counter agreement is required. All changes must be initialed. If you signed the original, then you
have a bounding sales contract. If you submit a counter offer, you are bound to the contract if the buyer accepts it. Or you can decline the
offer and no one is bound to a contract. These negotiations go back and fourth but remember you want to sell fast and reasonable in most
cases.
4. After you agreed to a sales agreement time becomes very important for both buyer and seller because most contracts are
based
on events getting done in certain time frames.
A. Mortgage companies require different and sometimes multiple inspections. The buyer may have their own inspector(s). Your contract may
depend on an inspection both timely and everything being functional to standard.
B. If repairs or upgrades are required they will need to be completed prior to closing. If repair cost exceed the contract both the buyer and
seller can either cancel the contract or negotiate the extras and add an addendum to the sales agreement.
5. At settlement the agreement is completed and the house changes hands.
A. The buyer generally picks the title company for settlement.
B. This is generally a half hour process.
6. Notes of interest
A. You have rights to negotiate all agreements prior to signing.
B. If you would like to print out or review the Consumer Notice click here.
C. If you would a generic CMA please click here.
D. If you would like to know more or have a question please feel free to contact me click here.
| 357 Locust Street Columbia, PA 17512 Ph: 717.684.0990 Fx: 717.684.2890 |
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