SELLER FAQ

All listings go on MLS - why does it matter which agent I chose?

Of course! Same as you want to choose the right friends, a trustworthy mechanic, or a good doctor the individual realtor you chose will affect your experience and outcome. When picking an agent you will want somebody who you feel comfortable with and who has demonstrated an ability to generate above average results. The agent must be personable, understand the nuances of the market, be a good negotiator, and know how to present the property to showcase the most appealing features.

How do I choose the right agent?

Find someone that can understand the property and your distinct needs. You will want to ask them what makes them especially capable to get your desired result. You must feel confident that they will represent your best interests throughout the entire process.

You will want to check their experience and their approach, however it’s of equal importance that you connect with and trust them. Find an agent who is skilled, listens to you, and works in a way that matches yours. Having good people skills is just as crucial as knowing about real estate.

How can I get the most money for my property?

Ultimately, this comes down to preparing correctly so it presents at its highest potential.

Make the home look highly desirable accounting for any constraints from people living there AND prie it correctly. In addition, the quality of the agent’s marketing and how skilled they are when it comes to conducting tourst to prospective buyers matter. These elements will raise the ceiling on what the high price is possible.

What factors into pricing a home correctly?

Many elements come into play when pricing the home and it’s important to understand the nuances. Key factors include the time of the year, what similar properties on the market are available or have recently sold, the properties condition, price, how well it shows, how accessible it is for showings, and the owners timeline.

To get the most accurate understanding of the correct price a home could schedule a meeting with an agent to see the property.

What steps are needed before the home is ready to be listed?

It starts with choosing an agent, completing the listing paperwork, and developing a pricing strategy. From there anything within the physical space that needs attention must be taken care of before it’s marketed. This could involve improvements, decluttering, waiting for someone to move out, etc… Depending on the strategy and the current condition of the property not much may be needed. At that point professional photos are taken, a date to launch the listing is decided upon, and marketing can begin.

How long does a typical sale contract last?

Typically a residential listing contract lists 90-120 days.

How do you, the agent, get involved making the property ready to sell for top dollar?

I will advise and consult with you throughout the process to make sure to position the property advantageously for it to sell at the desired price. This starts by preparing a comparative market analysis (CMA) of similar properties that are currently available and recently sold. Upon reviewing the analysis the seller and I collaborate on the right way to price it. The home must attract enough buyers and foster some competition for the best results.

Additionally theI will leverage my professional knowledge and network of people to help organize any of the pre-listing to-do items. I will get personally involved with whatever is needed to get the job done right.

Outside of getting the home ready, I will customize the right marketing plan to deliver exceptional results. In addition, if the home has tenants I will create a showing process that respects the residents needs while making sure there is sufficient access to get all the interested parties a viewing.

Lastly, once the offers come in I will negotiate expertly on your behalf, advocate for you, and explain what the best course of actions are and why so that you can make an informed decision. From there I will constantly monitor all the requests and deadlines set forth in the contract to ensure a smooth closing that occurs on time and as planned.

How do you market the home?

I market the home highly effectively through multiple channels both digitally and through print and other traditional methods. It begins with high end photography, video, and 3D tours to capture the home's best qualities. Those materials are deployed in a multitude of channels to gain the broadest possible reach. It’s distributed through dozens of website partners, through paid advertising, social media, direct mail, email & newsletter. Beyond that word of mouth is spread to the agents in the marketplace and to Senné’s vast network.

Who is likely to buy my home?

The size, condition, and location of the property will determine the most likely buyer type. For example it could be a first time buyer, an investor, a move-up buyer, etc… This is something that can be discussed with accuracy upon learning about your specific property.

How often will the home need to be shown?

Can you work around a tenant?

Absolutely. In fact this is something I have a lot of experience with and can tailor the approach to how easy they are to work with and in what condition they keep the home.

How do I determine what the right time to list my home is?

Essentially if you need to sell then it’s best to list it soon - and be fully committed to preparing the home now. If the timing of the sale matters less, then you can optimize for the seasonality of the market, out-going residents, etc…

Will you, the listing agent, be present for the showings?

Yes, as the listing agent I personally always want to be present for showings. Certainly for open houses or anytime that people might not have a real estate agent with them, I will be there. This is entirely up to the sellers choice and ties into the overall strategy.

How does the agent help me negotiate the best deal?

As a professional realtor I understand the value of the property and the seller's needs. Taken along with the level of interest I have the best vantage point to take informed action. By working with the interest level, the seller's motivation & timeline, and utilizing the correct methods of communications and dialogues with other agents, I have leverage to negotiate the best terms for the seller.

Does the agent remain involved after an offer is accepted?

Absolutely. Even after an offer has been accepted there is a lot to coordinate and keep track of. This involves timelines for inspections and financing, dealing with unforeseen issues, and ensuring the buyer complies with all terms. This is where a good agent can make the difference between a deal closing or it falling apart and showcase their professionalism.

Are you able to advise about work needed to be done?

Absolutely. I will consult about what is effective and will net you the highest price and what is not worth investing in before a sale. In addition, I can help you find people to carry the work out and organize the execution of that plan.

Should I be worried about home inspections?

Not at all. These are a natural part of the process and the usual things that come up can be anticipated and dealt with. In some cases with multiple parties interested you may not even need to accept an offer with an inspection.

Is it normal to have a home inspection as part of the offer right now?

It is something most buyers want to do, so it is normal that they are requested, but it is not always the case.

What happens if the buyers back out after the offer is accepted?

In this instance the timing matters. If it’s because of a contingency that was previously agreed upon, then they would get their deposits back. If the purchase and sale agreement was signed then in most instances they would forfeit their deposit.

How can I avoid paying taxes?

Although I am not an accountant and you must always consult one for the most accurate, professional information, I can share that there are ways to avoid paying taxes. One is the personal residence exclusion. You may exclude up to $250,000 of gain on the sale of your personal residence and if you're married you can exclude $500,000 if you use the proceeds to buy a new home. In many instances you can defer taxes if you sell an investment property and buy another one. This is called a 1031 exchange.

What is a 1031 exchange?

Broadly speaking, a 1031 exchange is a tax-deferred exchange whereby you sell one property and invest into another one without paying the capital gains tax. This allows you to ‘trade up’ your equity build up into another property without losing money to taxes during the process. There are specific methods which must be followed when making the exchange.

Can you help me find other professional services?

Yes! As a real estate agent I’ve got extensive contacts in many areas relating to real estate. This includes professionals such as accountants, lawyers, and financial experts as well as contractors, cleaners, etc… Please reach out and I will be more than happy to connect you with the right person.