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. We 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 we deem the offer is acceptable, we 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, we 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. We 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

Johnny & Karie

Johnny & Karie

Laura was wonderful to work with and helped us every step of the way. She answered all of our questions no matter how big or small. Thank you for making our experience so enjoyable.
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Chuck & Brenda

Chuck & Brenda

Outstanding experience working with Laura from the beginning to the completion of the sale of our home! She answered all questions thoroughly whenever asked. Pleasure to work with!
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Lynn & Dan A.

Lynn & Dan A.

As a Realtor® myself and having worked with Laura several times over the years, my husband and I were excited to work with her on the construction of our new home. And of course, once again she did not disappoint. Laura was ava...
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Ran & Barb

Ran & Barb

You listened to us and helped negotiate transactions. You were awesome! You helped us purchase our last home in West Richland almost 7 years ago and then helped us purchase and sell again now. Everything went smoothly with both...
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John Huber

John Huber

Responsiveness, connections to 3rd parties, keeping me informed while I was out of state. Can't think of anything. This was the sale of Katie CT where the septic tank didn't pass inspection and we had to work with Cartus. We bo...
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Linda

Linda

Trustworthy, knowledgeable, communicable and a go after. My family has entrusted in Laura's expertise on Real Estate for several of our home need's (both as a seller and buyer). She never disappoints and carries herself profess...
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Jan F.

Jan F.

She loves you. She has thanked me many times for finding you. I am so happy it went well. I will keep you on my phone for that side. I appreciate you making me look good. Have a great day!
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Todd & Abby

Todd & Abby

Professional. knowledgeable, thorough. Laura was a pleasure to work with. We had full confidence in her and were at ease knowing she was there to guide us through the entire buying process.
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Tammie W.

Tammie W.

Alderbrook built a beautiful home for Jose and Gabe! And what a view. Looking forward to the next one with you and your team. I can not thank you and the Alderbrook Team enough.
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Elkis E.

Elkis E.

Since day one, you made me feel very comfortable and you were always there to answer any questions. I knew I just needed to call, and you will be there for me! Thank you, Laura.
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Gary & Tina R.

Gary & Tina R.

We are so glad we went with you as our Realtor®, you don't realize how many incompetent people are working in this field until you work with a pro like you. Thank you again.
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Gary & Betty

Gary & Betty

Hard work, experience, knowledge of the market and the laws. We have worked with several Realtors® in the past and Laura is one of the best in the business.
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Sandy & Lynn

Sandy & Lynn

Positive, Upbeat, Honest. We listed; Sold in less than (2) days. Can't beat that!
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Kim & Ted

Kim & Ted

Thank you so much for your hard work in helping us sell our home. You sold our home in three weeks! We were surprised, relieved, and thrilled! You are a true professional. We appreciate everything you did to market our home, es...
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Richmond

Richmond

Laura is a data-based real estate agent. She set a fair price for our house and we sold quickly for nearly the asking price. Her follow-up is impressive she updated us after each visit by a prospect from any Realtor®. She was a...
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Annette C.

Annette C.

Laura showed us several homes and building lots in the Tri-Cities area. We were trying to decide whether to build or purchase a home already built. We decided to build. Laura put us together with a builder and helped us through...
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Mac & Susan

Mac & Susan

Laura, you are one of a kind. We have worked with so many Realtors® from Orange County, CA, Western WA, Austin, TX, and a few at Central WA but you still top them all. From our experience in selling our house at the Vineyards, ...
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Elizabeth H.

Elizabeth H.

Well, this review is a bit late. Laura sold our house in Pasco, WA back in 2013. We found her through the USAA Movers Advantage Program. She was very professional and confident and sold our house quickly. Laura and her assistan...
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Rainer A.

Rainer A.

We just wanted to thank you again for all you did for us while we sold and built our house. You truly have a gift for what you do and helped us “weather the storms” as we faced various challenges. Our house is beautiful and we ...
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Omer S.

Omer S.

Laura is the best ever! Whether it is her knowledge, her assessment of the market, or her approach, she excels at her job. Very considerate, putting you first before her potential earnings. She is simply amazing. I very strongl...
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Work With Laura

Her aggressive approach in marketing and dedication to her clients has made her one of the top producing agents in the Tri-Cities. With over 3 decades of experience in real estate, Laura has gained a well-deserved reputation for providing outstanding service and results.

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