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What to expect when you're expecting...to sell your home

05/8/18  |  Ellie Botshon

We help sellers think about the big picture. It pays off. People sell their homes for a variety of reasons: a growing family or an empty nest; a change of jobs or long-awaited retirement. Not surprisingly, many sellers can’t initially articulate which aspects of the process are most important to them.

At Liz & Ellie Real Estate, we work with you to clarify why you're selling, what you want out of the sale, and how to attain your goals. We’ve found that If you ask yourself the right questions, you’ll be better prepared for whatever situation may arise; and in the long run, you’ll get more out of the sale of your home.
 
When we're working with sellers, we ask them to think about the big picture:
 
Why are you moving?
Are you expecting another child? Did your kids finally move out? Have you found a job in another city? Or are you going through a rough divorce?
 
Write down all the reasons you’re ready to sell. Also think about how quickly you want or need the sale to happen. If you have a deadline, for example, this will frame the process and inform our selling strategy. If you have more time, we will approach the sale differently.
 
Expectations
What are the most important aspects of the sale for you? Profit? Simplicity? Minimimal disruption? All three?
 
Of course you want to make as much money as possible. But if holding out for an extra $10,000 delays the process and causes lots of headaches, would you still look back on the sale as a success? Will that $10,000 make enough of a difference to justify the added stress?
 
Strategy
If the sale could be done without any risks of it falling apart, would you be willing to accept a lower, cash offer as opposed to a higher, mortgage-backed one? How much is having an inspection contingency worth to you? Would you move out and pay for a hotel and stager instead of remaining there during the selling process if it meant a faster sale and more money?
 
Play out a few scenarios and see how they feel to you. If you’ve thought about it beforehand, you’ll have an easier time navigating any situation.
 
When you’re doing this mental exercise, work hard to avoid the phrase “I should....” If you ask ten people what to expect when selling a home, you’ll come away with ten different answers. Instead, we suggest that you frame your thinking with the question, “What’s best for me?” Your situation is unique and your decisions will be based on your own circumstances.
 
Contact us if you’re ready to sell or if you have questions. We’re here to help.
 
 

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With their complementary communication styles, responsiveness, competence, and ability to truly listen, Ellie and Liz enable their clients to feel at ease throughout any real estate transaction. They would welcome the opportunity to be your next real estate advisors.

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