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Seller's Guide

A Step-by-Step First Time Seller's Guide

Putting your home on the market can be a stressful process, especially when you don’t know what to expect. Fortunately, with the help of an experienced agent and this easy to follow guide, you can smoothly complete the process. Following these steps will help you prepare so you can get organized and sell your home for the best price possible.​​​​​​​

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Step 1: Understand Why You're Selling

What do you want to accomplish with the sale of your home? Do you want to make a certain amount of money that you can put toward a larger or nicer home? Do you need to sell it as soon as possible to facilitate a move to a new city or area? Once you understand your needs, you can better craft your offer. For example, if you need to sell quickly, you might want to price your home lower than if your goal is to make a certain profit margin. Make sure you convey these needs to your Real Estate Agent once you choose one so he or she can adjust your selling price accordingly.

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Step 2: Determine Selling Price

Knowing how to price your home is one of the most important parts of the selling process. When you set a fair price in the beginning, you’ll get the most interest from other Real Estate Agents and prospective buyers. Overpricing your home could lead to reduced interest, and underpricing leads to receiving less than what your home is worth. Working with a Real Estate Agent is the best way to determine the right selling price for your home. An agent with experience can determine what other comparable homes are selling for, evaluate the current market, and may even suggest a home appraisal.

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Step 3: Start Preparations

If you’ve kept your home in showroom condition since you’ve lived in it, you’re in the minority of homeowners. Once you price your home, it’s time to start getting it ready to be shown to potential buyers. This includes getting rid of clutter, depersonalizing the space so that buyers can envision themselves in the space, making any small repairs, and doing a deep clean to make sure your home is in pristine condition.

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Step 4: Develop a Marketing Strategy

I will develop a marketing strategy that is perfect for advertising your home. This involves listing the home and then driving the right people to that listing through social media campaigns, agent-to-agent referrals, traditional media, or SEO advertising. My team creates a marketing campaign that aims to get the most possible traffic to your listing in the first three weeks after becoming a client.

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Step 5: Evaluate Offers

Receiving an offer is an exciting part of the process, but it doesn’t mean the journey is over. I will evaluate each offer and make sure the party making the offer is prequalified or pre-approved by a mortgage lender and that their offer is acceptable to you. If the offer is too low, you can make a counter-offer or offer other ways to bridge the gap, such as covering some or all of the closing costs, making repairs, adjusting the move-in date, or leaving some appliances or fixtures for the new buyer.

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Step 6: Accept an Offer

Once I deem the offer is acceptable, I will review the proposed contract to make sure it’s all in order and includes the necessary components such as deposit amount, down payment, financing, inspection rights and repair allowances, contingencies, settlement date, and a list of fees and who will pay them. When both parties have agreed to the term, a final contract will be prepared by your agent.

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Step 7: Get Ready to Close

You have accepted an offer and are now very close to the end of your selling journey. But first, you and the buyer must make a list of what needs to be done before closing. In some cases, your home may need to be formally inspected, surveyed, and appraised. In other cases, major or minor repairs will need to be made before the house can close. I will head up efforts to develop and execute this list, get each action item paid for by the correct party, and make sure everything is in order by the closing date. A few days before the closing date, I will call the company closing the transaction to make sure everything is ready to go. If you haven’t done so already, you also need to make arrangements to move out of the home so the new buyer can take possession.

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Step 8: Close

You’ve reached the last step in the seller’s process. When you close on a home you are selling, you are legally transferring ownership of the property to the new buyer. I will meet with the company closing the transaction to sign the final paperwork and go over any issues that have not yet been taken care of. During this time, you can also make plans with your Real Estate Agent to handle final details such as canceling utilities, cable, and lawn or trash services, changing the name on accounts that the new owner is retaining and ensuring the new owner has instructions for all appliances that will remain in the home.

Congratulations!

Once you have sold your home, you’re free to take the next step on your journey. Whether this is relocating to a new city, moving into a larger home, or downsizing and enjoying your life as empty-nesters, knowing all your selling responsibilities have been taken care of will help you achieve peace of mind for your new path.

Testimonials

Success Stories

"Judy was responsive, thoughtful and very knowledgeable about our area. She put together professional selling brochures and a wonderful drone video that was instrumental in drawing people to our home in a very difficult market. Judy is a good listener and really values knowing what is important to the client. We sold our home in 90 days in a market where homes have been listed for much longer. I would recommend Judy, she is a true professional with a wonderful work ethic."
"Judy was responsive, thoughtful and very knowledgeable about our area. She put together professional selling brochures and a wonderful drone video that was instrumental in drawing people to our home in a very difficult market. Judy is a good listener and really values knowing what is important to the client. We sold our home in 90 days in a market where homes have been listed for much longer. I would recommend Judy, she is a true professional with a wonderful work ethic."
Kelly S.
"It was a pleasurable experience working with Judy. We were in sync right from the start, and she responded to all my questions and concerns quickly. We got a couple of offers on my home within 25 days of listing with Judy’s hard work and advise. The house is now sold, and I couldn’t be happier."
"It was a pleasurable experience working with Judy. We were in sync right from the start, and she responded to all my questions and concerns quickly. We got a couple of offers on my home within 25 days of listing with Judy’s hard work and advise. The house is now sold, and I couldn’t be happier."
Seller
"Judy was an excellent guide during a stressful process. We were happy to have her experience and counsel while trying to navigate selling our existing condo. Virtual staging was a nice touch!"
"Judy was an excellent guide during a stressful process. We were happy to have her experience and counsel while trying to navigate selling our existing condo. Virtual staging was a nice touch!"
Seller
"As a new time homebuyer, the process was really overwhelming and confusing. Judy was a helping hand throughout it all. She listened and understood what I was looking for, and with her many years of experience she was able to point things out as we were touring homes that I would have never considered! She's attentive to details and always available by phone or email. She always provided her guidance without being overbearing. She was a strong negotiator, and we were able to get a great deal on the house. Couldn't have found our new home without her!"
"As a new time homebuyer, the process was really overwhelming and confusing. Judy was a helping hand throughout it all. She listened and understood what I was looking for, and with her many years of experience she was able to point things out as we were touring homes that I would have never considered! She's attentive to details and always available by phone or email. She always provided her guidance without being overbearing. She was a strong negotiator, and we were able to get a great deal on the house. Couldn't have found our new home without her!"
Buyer
"Judy Gibbons explained the whole process and gave us some great advice, definitely very valuable. Great professional and very patient! I would definitely call you again if I need to buy or sell a new home or property."
"Judy Gibbons explained the whole process and gave us some great advice, definitely very valuable. Great professional and very patient! I would definitely call you again if I need to buy or sell a new home or property."
Seller
"It is our very great pleasure to offer the highest possible professional recommendation of Judy Gibbons. My wife and I have contracted with Judy to sell and purchase properties over many years. Each time was extremely successful. Judy sold our home in Hawthorn Woods after it had been under contract with two prior agents, who were unsuccessful over almost a year on the market. Judy sold the property quickly. After a number of years out of state, we decided to return to Illinois to be near family, and Judy helped us find an outstanding property. She successfully guided us through several complicated issues, which led to a purchase of an extraordinary home in a beautiful area, which we are very happy to have. Real Estate transactions can get complicated. Complications can generate substantial stress for buyers and sellers. We believe everyone should have the very best counsel they can find. Judy Gibbons is experienced and provided consistent, professional support and counsel throughout our purchase. She anticipated problems and concerns and provided expert assistance and solutions throughout the process. She is always available and responds quickly to calls, emails and text messages. This is very important to me and my wife. If you are looking for an experienced, resourceful, professional to represent you in any real estate transaction, you will be very happy with Judy Gibbons, We can assure you of that."
"It is our very great pleasure to offer the highest possible professional recommendation of Judy Gibbons. My wife and I have contracted with Judy to sell and purchase properties over many years. Each time was extremely successful. Judy sold our home in Hawthorn Woods after it had been under contract with two prior agents, who were unsuccessful over almost a year on the market. Judy sold the property quickly. After a number of years out of state, we decided to return to Illinois to be near family, and Judy helped us find an outstanding property. She successfully guided us through several complicated issues, which led to a purchase of an extraordinary home in a beautiful area, which we are very happy to have. Real Estate transactions can get complicated. Complications can generate substantial stress for buyers and sellers. We believe everyone should have the very best counsel they can find. Judy Gibbons is experienced and provided consistent, professional support and counsel throughout our purchase. She anticipated problems and concerns and provided expert assistance and solutions throughout the process. She is always available and responds quickly to calls, emails and text messages. This is very important to me and my wife. If you are looking for an experienced, resourceful, professional to represent you in any real estate transaction, you will be very happy with Judy Gibbons, We can assure you of that."
Tim & Pam B.
"Judy was prompt and professional throughout our home buying process. This was our first home purchase and Judy answered all our questions, no matter how small. Would recommend Judy to anyone looking to buy or sell a home in Chicagoland!"
"Judy was prompt and professional throughout our home buying process. This was our first home purchase and Judy answered all our questions, no matter how small. Would recommend Judy to anyone looking to buy or sell a home in Chicagoland!"
Ben Wilson R.
"Judy has helped us buy and sell four homes over the last decade. In each transaction, she was committed and professional. She kept in touch throughout the entire process and ensures that every step was completed. We highly recommend Judy for your real estate needs."
"Judy has helped us buy and sell four homes over the last decade. In each transaction, she was committed and professional. She kept in touch throughout the entire process and ensures that every step was completed. We highly recommend Judy for your real estate needs."
Seller
"If you are considering purchasing or selling a home in the Barrington area, Judy Gibbons is your agent. Judy’s been in the business for decades, knows the area inside and out, and works with you to find the perfect home. Additionally, her network of contractors and designers are there to support you after your purchase. Highly recommended."
"If you are considering purchasing or selling a home in the Barrington area, Judy Gibbons is your agent. Judy’s been in the business for decades, knows the area inside and out, and works with you to find the perfect home. Additionally, her network of contractors and designers are there to support you after your purchase. Highly recommended."
Buyer
"Judy is fantastic. She helped us make immediate changes to help showcase our home. She was patient, positive and focused. Her attention to detail was great, and she knew exactly what was needed to market and sell our home. I appreciated her direct and straightforward communication. She was professional at all times. I highly recommend Judy!"
"Judy is fantastic. She helped us make immediate changes to help showcase our home. She was patient, positive and focused. Her attention to detail was great, and she knew exactly what was needed to market and sell our home. I appreciated her direct and straightforward communication. She was professional at all times. I highly recommend Judy!"
Seller

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