Your Questions About Selling Your House: Answered

If you have a house to sell, you’re probably a little anxious to get the process started. There are many things you need to consider when selling your property, and it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by the task. The good news? There’s a lot of research with proven results, and I have the information you need to know about selling your house. Here are the answers to just some of the questions you’re probably wondering:

How will you determine the value of my house?

To determine the value of your house and set a listing price, I will complete what’s known as a Comparative Market Analysis, otherwise known as a CMA. The CMA uses recent sales, pending sales and current sales of homes as close to yours as possible in location, age, size, and features. Please note that a CMA is not the same as an appraisal, which is completed by a licensed or certified appraiser. The CMA helps to recommend a price for your property based on the market trend; an appraisal is placing an opinion of value on your property based on its exact details and the values of the homes around it.

I would like to get the most for my house - can I start with the highest possible asking price?

Many sellers like the idea of “pricing high” to see if they get higher offers, but this strategy isn’t necessarily the best idea. If you overprice your house, you run the risk of the appraisal coming in lower than your contract price, which might require your contract to be renegotiated or canceled. The other thing to consider is the current housing market - is it a buyer’s market, a seller’s market, or a stable market. In Knoxville, we are currently in a position that is not requiring buyers to fight for homes if they feel they are not priced properly for the area or the condition of the home. Right now, home buyers are even taking the time to be picky. If your listing price puts your home higher than your neighborhood value, your home will likely sit on the market longer as buyers wait for you to make a reduction. It’s best to set a realistic listing price that will bring the buyers quickly. My goal is always to get you the highest possible price in the shortest amount of time.

What is your role as a real estate agent in selling my house?

Not only will I be able to generate the CMA and help you determine the selling price for your house, I will then develop the marketing plan to put it all into action. Because your property will be posted on the Knoxville Area Association of Realtors (KAAR) MLS system (the Multiple Listing Service), it will made available to thousands of other realtors in our city, state, across the country and around the world. Because of the MLS, your property will also be listed and featured on all of the home searching sites and social platforms, ensuring maximum global and network exposure. Once the buyers are interested, I will help manage showing requests and assist you in your offer negotiations and required real estate documents. Finally, I will help navigate you through the entire transaction all the way to the closing table (or a remote closing if you so choose).

How soon can I get my home listed on the MLS?

Once we agree to work together, you will complete the required disclosures, and I will begin entering your property details on KAAR’s MLS system. I will also schedule a time for a professional photographer to take photos of your property. Professional photographs are the upmost importance as the internet is the first place where buyers will see your house. As soon as all the disclosures are complete and the information and pictures are uploaded, your listing can go live on MLS.

What else do I need to do to get ready to list?

It’s a good idea to begin cleaning out or organizing storage spaces, closets, and drawers and putting away some of your extra décor and belongings. You may also want to have the exterior pressure washed, and the landscaping cleaned up. We can talk further about other things that will help your property show better once I visit with you and talk about your house in more detail.

How will showings be conducted?

You and I will agree on the terms you are comfortable with for showings. We want to make the house accessible to buyers without too much disruption to your personal life. The schedule can be set up as a go-and-show if the house will be vacant or you will be away for a time, or you can even be in charge of approving the appointments for buyers and their agents in order to accommodate your schedule or need to collect children and/or pets before leaving.

How long will it take to find a buyer?

Market conditions, price range, location, and condition of the house will all play a part in how long it takes to find a buyer. In a balanced market, most houses, when priced accurately and without needing large repairs or extenuating circumstances, go under contract within 30-60 days. Houses sell faster in a seller’s market, while buyers take more time to look when inventory is high.

Do you have other questions? Of course you do! This is just a snippet of the information I cover with my sellers to be sure they are ready for the process. You deserve to know all of this and MORE!

If you’re thinking of selling, I'm here to help! Send me a message or give me a call.