Follow These Steps

Step 1: Plan/Prepare
Step 2: Get a REALTOR®
Step 3: It's Hard to Sell Your Own Home
Step 4: Setting the Asking Price
Step 5: Marketing Your Home
Step 6: Selling Your Home
Step 7: Home Inspection Time
Step 8: The Closing
Step 9: Moving

The selling process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. As your Realtor I can provide you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

Marketing
The next step is a marketing plan. As, your realtor I recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of the property. Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. As your realtor I will be the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc.

Advertising is just part of marketing. The choice of media and frequency of advertising depends a lot on the property and specific market. For example, in some areas, newspaper advertising generates phone calls to the real estate office but statistically has minimum effectiveness in selling a specific property. Overexposure of a property in any media may give a buyer the impression the property is distressed or the seller is desperate. Sal Cortese knows when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts.

Security
When a property is marketed with an agent's help, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. I will pre-screen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

Negotiating
The negotiation process deals with much the same issues for both buyers and sellers, as noted above under the buying process. I will help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. I will assure that a legally binding, win-win agreement is in place, that will be more likely to make it through the process.

Monitoring, Renegotiating and Closing
Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. As your realtor I will objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing/settlement.

You Be The Judge
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of Sal Cortese!