Wheelux Realty is truly a full-service brokerage. Wheelux Realty real estate professionals are experienced and have a proven track record of success, in not just selling homes, but achieving record-breaking results for their clients.
One of your first decisions is to select a real estate company and real estate agent who’ll join you in the process.
Start To Finish Steps Of Selling Your Home
Manage Showings
Once you’ve chosen your Wheelux Realty agent, and together have prepped your house for sale and set a price, you’re ready for the public to see your home.
- Clean deeply.
- Paint some or all of your house.
- Do minor repairs such as caulking tubs and windows.
- Make major repairs – if needed and in your budget, such as replacing your counters or appliances.
- Stage your furniture to showcase your home’s best features.
- Remove personal items such as family photos.
- Declutter every surface and storage space.
- Reorganize your closets and pack excess items.
- Eliminate odors by cleaning the fireplace or pulling out musty rugs.
- Add a color scheme with rugs or pillows if needed to warm up your home.
- Upgrade your lighting or light bulbs to make your rooms brighter.
- Spruce up the landscaping.
- Power-wash your decks and sidewalks if needed.
- Leave when your house is being shown. Buyers prefer to look at homes when they can move around freely and the owners aren’t there.
- Make your house as available as possible. While it may be inconvenient to show your home at dinnertime or on weekends, buyers who can’t see a property when they’re eager may cross it off their list.
- Listen to any feedback from buyers or agents about ways you can make your home more appealing.
Always coordinate with your Wheelux Realty agent for maximum exposure and a faster sale.
Review Offers
Congratulations! You received a message from your Wheelux Realty agent that you have an offer on your home. Now you need to evaluate that offer and decide how to respond.
- The amount of the offer
- An explanation of how the buyers will pay, such as cash or a pre-approval for financing
- The terms – such as a request for closing cost help or contingencies such as the sale of the buyers’ house, a final mortgage approval, a satisfactory home inspection and an appraisal
- A target date for closing
- An earnest money deposit
- A time limit for the offer
- The amount offered
- Whether the buyer has included or waived contingencies
- Where the funds are coming from, such as all-cash, a reputable local lender, a well-known online lender, or an unknown out-of-town lender
- The proposed closing date and date of possession of the house to see if it aligns with your needs
- Any special requests for items to convey or for special inspections
If you receive multiple offers, your Wheelux Realty agent can advise you on one of these options:
- Accept the best offer. If one offer stands out above the rest, you can accept that one right away. But be careful not to be swayed by a high offer if the financing seems uncertain or if the buyer hasn’t explained a plan for a possible low appraisal.
- Counter all the offers to get a better price and terms. You can ask all potential buyers to give you their best offer by a certain deadline.
- Counter one offer that’s close to what you want. If you like one offer but think the buyers could do a little better, you can send them a counteroffer to see if they’ll accept it.
You and the buyers can negotiate until you both agree on the final contract. Your Wheelux Realty agent is your best ally during the negotiations and is equipped with the data and knowledge to guide you.
Prepare for Inspection
Most buyers request a home inspection as a condition of their offer. While a home inspector will dig more deeply into your home than a buyer, the preparation you made before your first showing should help you get ready for the inspection. Your Wheelux Realty agent can give you personalized advice, too.
- Structural conditions such as the foundation, beams and floors
- Roof condition
- Mechanical systems such as heat and air conditioning
- Appliances – to make sure they’re working, although some inspectors skip appliances that are not built-in
- Plumbing – for leaks, rust and water pressure
- Electrical systems such as grounded outlets and code violations
- Safety issues such as stairs, handrails, mold or chimney maintenance
- Septic systems
- Wells
- Underground pipes and sprinkler systems
- Swimming pools and spas
- Playground equipment
- Clean your house.
- Remove or crate your pets.
- Make sure all your light bulbs work.
- Empty your washing machine, dryer, oven, and dishwasher – in case they are inspected.
- Make sure everything is accessible, including your attic, a crawlspace, your garage and any sheds.
- Leave a note if anything doesn’t work and explain that you’re getting it fixed.
- Provide documents about maintenance and repairs.
- Leave your cell phone number for the inspector.
- Leave the house.
Prepare for Appraisal
As you near the end of your home sale journey, you will need to pass one more test: an appraisal. Your Wheelux Realty can help you gather materials and prepare for the appraiser’s visit.
- Comparable properties in your area that are of similar size, age and condition
- The condition of your home’s systems and structure
- The square feet of your property
- The number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Your location
- The quality of your flooring, plumbing and electrical systems
Appraisers include research about other properties and neighborhood values, as well as an in-person visit for their evaluation of your home.
- Provide a list of all major improvements to the home and the age and condition of your roof, heating and air conditioning system, and appliances.
- Provide any permits required for home improvements.
- Clean your house.
- Provide full access to all rooms and spaces, including the garage, sheds, attic and crawlspace
- Remove or crate your pets.
- Leave the house, or at least stay out of the appraiser’s way.
- Ask the buyer to come up with extra cash to make up the difference between the loan amount and the purchase price.
- Reduce your price to the appraised value.
- Split the difference with the buyer.
- Cancel the contract.
Your Wheelux Realty agent can advise you on your options in the context of the contract and market conditions.
Close
While it’s tempting to focus on your next move, your Wheelux Realty agent is likely to remind you that until the closing is over, you have some final responsibilities as a seller.
- Take care of repairs required by the contract.
- Keep all receipts and invoices and before-and-after photos of repairs.
- Gather all appliance manuals and warranties for your buyers.
- Hire a mover.
- Cancel all utilities for the day after you move.
- Cancel all utilities for the day after you move.
- Change your address.
- Review all settlement documents, especially the settlement statement.
- Check the property survey to be sure it’s correct.
- Clean the house.
- Prepare for the buyers’ final walk-through
- Final balance on your mortgage
- Real estate commissions
- Prorated property taxes, utility bills, homeowner’s insurance, and homeowners association dues
If you can’t move before the closing, you’ll need to arrange a rentback from the buyers. Your Wheelux Realty agent can help you complete appropriate paperwork for a rentback. If you are moving, the buyers will do a walk-through of your home within 24 hours before the closing to check that the property is in good condition. If the buyers find something that needs to be fixed, your agent can help you decide how to handle it. Whether or not you attend the closing, you’ll need to provide house keys to your buyers, along with all alarm codes, remote controls for the garage, and mailbox or gate keys.
- Receive the proceeds from the sale, usually by wire transfer.
- Cancel your homeowner’s insurance “post-close” – to make sure you’re covered on that day.
- Save your closing documents and home improvement records for taxes.
Congratulations! You can shake hands with your Wheelux Realty agent: you’ve successfully sold your home.