SELLER'S GUIDE: 8 Steps to Selling Real Estate

1. Hire an Atlas Real Estate Sellers Agent

It is important to set up a meeting or listing presentation with your Atlas Real Estate broker to help define your goals and what you are trying to accomplish. You need to identify your price, timeline and other needs to your broker. Your Atlas broker will be able to tell you what your home is worth, and should understand your goals/needs as well as presenting his marketing plan to you.

2. Name your price

First have your Atlas Real Estate Group generate a comparative market analysis for you to review. Our agents are well trained in creating extremely accurate CMA's that give you a sales price as a function of how quickly you would like to sell your home. However, our brokers are not licensed appraisers and if you would like a true property appraisal please contact an appraiser. You need to understand your property's advantages and disadvantages, and analyze comparable properties. Remember that it is always better to market your desired sales price rather than an inflated price and prepare to come down during negotiations.

3. Be Proactive, Prepare your property

Curb appeal is important in that you only have one chance to make a first impression. A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs, fresh paint and a clean exterior goes a long way to make a proper first impression. The interior must be clean and orderly. $200 in cleaning costs can increase the sales price by thousands. Inexpensive and easy repairs are a must; touch up paint, redecorating new lights and hardware will freshen up your home. If you aren't the handy type or don't have the time then, Atlas-affiliated contractors are available to prepare your house for showings. This minimal expense can pay dividends in the end.

4. Stage and Repair your properties

If your home is vacant or doesn't have the most appealing furniture, it might be beneficial to hire a staging company to show off your home. Likewise, if there are major repairs that might affect your sale it is best to be proactive and make those repairs prior to showings. Your Atlas Real Estate professional will be able walk-you through these necessary steps prior to listing your home.

5. List and Market your property

Once you have the price and your home is ready to show it is time to list and market your home. Atlas Real Estate brokers have been extensively trained on sales as part of both our international and residential programs. These sales techniques are much more than just posting a property on the local MLS and waiting for a buyer. Our agents are generating leads for your property, giving interoffice property presentations, open houses, direct mail of marketing materials, and a multitude of other aggressive marketing techniques.

6. Make your home their home

It is important to make potential buyers feel at home, simple things like place settings, background music, comfortable lighting and temperature all plays a large role in helping potential buyers take ownership of your home. Keep you and your pets in the background, buyers don't want to feel like they are imposing. If you can maintain a low profile while allowing them to spend time in your home, it is increasingly likely that they will visualize themselves living in your home.

7. Receive an offer, negotiate your sale

Once you receive your offer you still have a long road of contingencies ahead of you and your Atlas Real Estate Professional with help simplify the process. Be prepared to have some concessions after your home inspection is submitted.

8. Prepare to close and move out

Closing is the act of legally transferring ownership from the seller to the buyer. Your Atlas Real Estate professional will review that accuracy of your settlement statements and keep you informed as to the process.