Top 5 Frequently Asked Seller Questions

"Top 5" F.A.Q. From Sellers

1. "What does the timeline/process of selling a home look like?"
   
   Within the first few days, the listing agent will typically visit the home and chat about expectations and their specific listing process. After they have viewed and done their research on other sales in the area, they will be able to suggest a listing price (more about that later), share thoughts on how to prep the home (more about that later too!), and answer any additional questions. Listing documents will also be signed during this timeframe, to make it official! Next, a professional photographer will be scheduled, and the agent will discuss the best way to access the home (usually with an official lockbox that only licensed realtors can access). Once photos have been taken and edited, they are sent to the listing agent, and everything is entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) on an agreed-upon date in the paperwork.
   
   Let the showings begin!
   
   Once under contract, if the buyer is using a lender, the standard timeline from the acceptance of the contract to the closing table is between 30-45 days. The first week or two will mainly be scheduling any inspections and negotiating any items from inspections the buyer would like the seller to address. The lender will also order the appraisal, and the appraiser will set up a good time to visit. Throughout this time, the title company handling the contract will verify that the title is clear and no other issues are present. Once the appraisal report is sent to the lender, if it's approved by their underwriting team and all loan criteria is met, they'll issue a "clear to close". At that point, the title company will issue a settlement statement showing how much a seller will be receiving at closing or will need to bring to closing.
   
   Keep in mind that this process can vary depending on the whether the buyer is using a lender, inspection or appraisal issues, and many other factors. Patience and flexibility are crucial!
   
   
2. "How will you market my home?"
   
   A great listing agent won't just rely on the MLS to market the home to other agents; they'll have multiple avenues to show off the property to agents and potential buyers. This may include signs that generate text leads from those driving by, targeted email campaigns to other agents, personalized websites, open houses, expertly crafted social media posts, syncing listing info with sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, etc. The list goes on and on! 
   
   At The Torgerson Team, we use all of those methods and more! To see our marketing plan for your home, click here. 
   
   
3. "What will our closing costs be?"
   
   A seller's closing costs is the commission mentioned at time of the listing contract, a small $300-$500 fee to a title company to help close the property out legally, and proration of property taxes. All other closing costs are negotiated within the contract with the buyer and are not required.
   
   
4. "How can we prep or stage our home to prepare?"
   
   Getting a home ready for the professional photos and showings is a very important step in the process. A great Realtor should be able to provide specific suggestions on how to show off the best features of each particular home. This may include decluttering, as in clearing countertops and storing items like toys or media elsewhere. Scheduling a professional cleaning is always a safe bet. They may suggest paint touch-ups, pressure washing, or cleaning up landscaping to create that extra "oomph" of curb appeal. The idea is to ultimately allow potential buyers the space to envision themselves and their things in the home.
   
   
5. "How will you decide the listing price of my home?"
   
   An experienced agent will be able to provide not only their expertise in neighborhood values, but will also run a comparative market analysis of the property. This is a tool used to estimate the value by evaluating similar homes that have recently sold in the same area. In doing this, an agent can confidently suggest a price that they feel is realistic for both seller and future buyers.
   
   At The Torgerson Team, we use the "5-5-5 Pricing Strategy", which means the price is determined only by the current market conditions and not any one agent or seller. We source accurate, up-to-date MLS data to select up to 5 active, 5 pending, and 5 sold properties that are the most comparable in features and amenities to your property. Combined with our in-depth knowledge of market statistics, this method assures that we price your property correctly, so it sells for the price you deserve.

These are only a few of the questions sellers ask on a regular basis, and there's a reason we're consistently among the top agents in the area; we know our stuff! Check out reviews from our highly satisfied clients HERE.

If you're looking for more answers to your pressing buying or selling questions, we'd love to help! Simply fill out the information below, and a member of our team will be in touch quickly.