Home Seller's Guide PDF
Home Seller's Guide PDF
Home Seller's Guide PDF
Andover
Boston - Back Bay
Boston - South Boston
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Brookline
Brookline - Coolidge Corner
Cape Cod Vacation Rentals
Chatham
Cohasset
Concord
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Eastham
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Medfield
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Newtonville
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Raveis Marketing Group
Relocation Services
Rentals-Boston-Area
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Seller
Select Mortgage
Selecting a
Banker
Credit Report
Raveis Realtor
Underwriting
Pre-Approval
Prepare Your
Home for Sale
Make Offer
$1000 Deposit
Closing Attorney
Determine Your
Selling Price
Negotiations
Initiate Your
Marketing Plan
Show Property
Offer Accepted
Title Search
Select Attorney
Commitment
Inspections
Document Prep
5% Deposit
to Buyers
Closing
Have Public
Open Houses
Successful Sale
Securing Buyer
William Raveis Real Estate Professionals do more than just sell your home.
They become your advisor, your guide, your negotiator and your friend. We build Lifetime Client Relationships.
general market.
Markets your home utilizing the appropriate media vehicles including Signage, the In-
ternet, Social Media, Direct Mail, Print Media, Word of Mouth or Open Houses.
Will answer all questions to the best of their knowledge, and without violating Fair
your home and recommend a strategy to secure an offer at the highest price and in the
shortest amount of time.
Is experienced in presenting offers and will guide you through every step of the
negotiating stages.
Agency
Understanding "Agency" Or Who Works For Whom?
Sellers Agent
Agent represents the best interests of the Seller Client and puts their needs first.
Agent provides best efforts to secure ready, willing and able buyer.
Raveis
Rep
Realtor
~ Disclosure
resen
ts
Seller Client
Agent must disclose known material defects in the real estate to interested parties.
Buyer Agency
Agent represents the best interests of the Buyer Client and puts their needs first.
Raveis
Rep
Realtor
resen
ts
Buyer Client
Agent gives all material facts to the Buyer so he/she can make an educated decision.
Agency
Dual Agent
Agent must obtain written consent from both Buyer and Seller.
Agents objective is to reach an impartial agreement thats mutually satisfactory to all parties;
Agent will give all options to both Buyer and Seller, but refrain from advising any party during
negotiations.
Agent may do nothing to the detriment of either Buyer or Seller. Confidentiality is owed to all
parties.
Raveis
Works
Seller Client
Realtor
with
Wor
ks wi
th
Buyer Client
Designated Agency
Allows one or more agents within a real estate firm to be appointed as a designated sellers or buyers
agent.
Other agents within the firm may represent other buyers in the transaction with informed written consent of each client.
Designated Agency does not change the way each agent works with their client.
Rep
resen
ts
Raveis
Seller Client
Realtor
Re
pre
s en
ts
Raveis
Realtor
Buyer Client
Working Together
What its like to work with a RAVEIS REALTOR
Heres what our first two meetings will look like:
First Meeting:
Discussion of Agency Relationship
Our Discussion Nothing personal, financial or confidential
Overview of William Raveis Real Estate & Seller Goals
Tour of Your Home and Taking Photos, Room Measurements & Notes
Schedule Second Meeting for Marketing Proposal Review
Second Meeting:
Discuss Marketing Proposal for Your Home
Review Suggested Marketing Calendar & Sample Marketing Pieces
Discuss Preparations Necessary Prior to Listing Your Home for sale
What to Expect...
Our ultimate goal is to achieve 100% customer satisfaction; we are determined in this pursuit. We expect to accomplish this by making your move as pleasant as possible. Below is an outline of general procedures that a buyer or the buyers agent should follow to show your home:
If Your Home has a Lock Box, the buyer or the buyers agent will do one of the following to schedule
an appointment:
Call your William Raveis office to confirm that your home is available and schedule an
appointment.
Call your William Raveis Listing Agent to confirm that your home is available and schedule
an appointment.
If Your Home does not have a Lock Box, the buyer or the buyers agent should do the following to
schedule an appointment:
Call our William Raveis office to confirm that your home is available and schedule an appointment.
Call your William Raveis Listing Agent to confirm that your home is available and schedule an appointment.
Appointments at which your William Raveis Listing Agent must be present are generally referred to as an
Accompanied Showing.
I will leave a sign in sheet at your home that all agents must sign and date. I will check this against our records in the
office regularly and contact the agents who have shown your home for feedback.
If a potential buyer comes to your home without an agent or anyone asks to see your home without a prescheduled
appointment, it is in your best interest not to let them view your home. Politely let
them know that they should contact me to make an appointment.
Also, it is best that you are not at home during showings or open houses. Buyers
usually feel more relaxed viewing a home when the homeowner is absent; and agents
generally can more easily focus on selling.
I encourage you to call me with any questions or concerns during the entire period
that I am marketing your home. We are here to service you and your family. I make it
a point to contact you each week to provide you with feedback and to make sure
your expectations are being met.
Exterior
Your home must sell itself. An attractive, well maintained and pristine home is most appealing to potential buyers. The following list covers those items that influence buyers most. We offer it for your consideration as you place your home on the market.
Keeping the lawn mowed during the summer months can frame your
home beautifully. Shape up the shrubs and weed the flower beds.
Check porches and decks for loose rails that may need to be replaced, sanded and/or painted.
Clear the entry by keeping the walkways free of toys, garden tools and other hazards.
rusted or torn. Remove mildew or moss from walls or sidewalks with bleach and water or a commercial
cleaner.
Add charm with flowers along the entry walk, in a pot by the door or in cheerful
window boxes.
Rid the driveway of all grease stains with kitty litter or a chemical solvent.
Tidy up the garage and show off its size. Get rid of everything that you do
not want to move and would have no value to the buyer.
Do you know your septic locations? How long has it been since your septic was cleaned?
Septic
systems should be cleaned every two years to keep your fields from clogging.
Do you know your property boundary lines? Is there a survey or plot plan available?
Is the roof leaking? How long has the present roof been on your home? Does it need replacing?
Perk up rooms with fresh paint. Sometimes just a touch-up will do. Choose light, neutral colors for
greatest appeal.
Clean up clutter for appearance and safetys sake. Pay special attention to stairways, halls and
childrens rooms.
Are all of your appliances in good working order? Is the oven clean? Is the refrigerator cluttered
with notes, pictures and schoolwork?
Wash all windows and keep curtains and drapes crisp and clean.
appear larger. It may be to your benefit to clean and pack items that you will not need, such as off season clothing. This will give a neat, spacious, and uncluttered look.
If there are any light fixtures that you would like to take with you, you may want to replace them before marketing your home.
Clean the fireplace and make a cozy, crackling fire or dress it up with green plants or dried flowers.
Roll out the welcome mat with a rough-textured door mat. It will keep your floors and carpets cleaner during showings and it indicates to buyers that you care about your home.
Do your hardwood floors need to be refinished? A coat of paste wax would give them that added
luster.
De-personalize rooms by removing family photos and obvious personal items so that the buyer can
envision themselves and their belongings, thus enabling them to become emotionally attached.
Extra Efforts:
Empty out the attic to display the full value of this much appreciated but often neglected storage
space.
Clean and brighten the basement with light paint and large wattage bulbs. Drain sediment from
your water heater to eliminate any rusty water flowing from hot water taps.
Treat pets to a stroll while your house is being shown. Many people are afraid of or allergic to animals. By removing them, buyers wont feel hurried or anxious.
Light classical music sets the stage for a serene, tranquil showing. Potential buyers can look at
your home quietly and without distraction.
Raveis.com
Multiple photos
MLS
Relocation
Impact Marketing
High quality postcards distributed when your home comes on the market
Open Houses
1. If your home is not being shown, it means that both buyers and agents think the price is too high.
To jog the agents memory about your home so that we may inspire a second
showing.
To answer any questions or concerns the buyer expressed so that your home
may be reconsidered.
To get reaction from the buyers or agents that might help us to better market
your home.
Please Note: Agents do not usually give a full critique of your home. If they showed many homes, they
honestly may not remember yours in detail. Also, if an agent doesnt call us back, it most likely means the
buyers are not interested.
Interpreting Feedback
one.
home.
They thought the yard was too small, the street
streets, etc.
Title Search
Required by all lenders, the title search is generally ordered by the attorney handling the closing
for the lender. The examination should reveal any encumbrances, rights of way, liens, easements,
restrictions or any other issues that may prohibit the transfer of title.
Consummation
Most closings take place either at the Registry of Deeds or at the closing attorneys office.
The buyers, sellers and their respective attorneys meet to execute the final closing documents.
In some instances parties will have executed a Power of Attorney in
place of attending. Among the myriad of documents will be the
Deed, Mortgage and Loan, as well as the Closing Disclosure
(CD) The CD is a full accounting of the fees and costs inherent
in the sale and must be reviewed 3 days prior to the closing.
Going on Record
A final title exam is performed just prior to the recording of the documents to insure no last minute liens have been placed on the property. The pertinent documents are then recorded with
specific Book and Page numbers and the transfer of ownership becomes complete.
Massachusetts
Estimated Closing Costs*
COSTS ON THE SALE OF A PROPERTY (Sellers Responsibility)
State Stamp Tax
Realtors Compensation
6% (varies)
Attorneys Fee
Unpaid Amount
Unpaid Balance
Title V Inspection
Condominium Documents
$100$250
Please Note: This is a basic list of estimated closing costs for reference only; all costs should be
verified by the seller and can vary based on the town or service provider.
FINANCIAL IMPACTKnow
your pay off and find out what the tax implications are to sell-
damaged windows and screens, wash windows, touch-up paint and paper. Prepare your home
by neutralizing your dcor. This gives potential buyers the ability to visualize themselves in the
home. Ask me about a Space-Lift.
DEEDArrange to
have your attorney draw a new deed or you can have the closing attorney
EXPENSES3 days prior to you will receive a closing disclosure showing all expenses.
INSURANCENotify
or so leeway for canceling the policy in case of a delay in the closing date.
ELECTRIC COMPANYAbout
day of consummation. Provide electric company with the name of the buyer and indicate that the
buyer will call to make arrangements.
GAS COMPANYAbout one week before the closing, arrange to have the gas company
ter-
minate your account on the day of consummation. Provide the gas company with the name of the
buyer/buyers and indicate that they will call to make arrangements.
WATER/SEWERAbout
take a final reading of the water meter and provide your listing agent and attorney with a copy
of the final bill stamped paid in full. Provide the water department with the name of the buyer/
buyers and indicate that they will call to make arrangements.
HOUSE KEYS, ETC.Be sure to bring house keys, garage keys and/or automatic garage
door opener to the closing. Also, any other pertinent household information should be made
available to the buyer. It may be left at the property, i.e. instruction books, transferable guarantees, warranties, etc.
CONDOMINIUMS ONLYTwo weeks prior to the closing, provide the bank attorney or list-
ing agent with a certificate from your condominium association indicating that no charges are
outstanding and, if applicable, provide a waiver of First Refusal. An insurance certificate is also
required. You will need a 6D Certificate.
INCOME PROPERTY ONLYBring to the consummation all existing leases, security depos-
its, prepaid rental income and any other information or documents that should be given to the
buyer.
Drivers License
Bank/Investment Accounts
Dogs License
Credit Cards
Creditors
Post Office
Place of Employment
Doctors/Lawyers/Accountants/Financial Planners
Schools
Clubs/Organizations
IRS
action is imperative.
Moving Checklist
Decide what to move and what not to
move
Discontinue newspapers
Save the phone book for future
reference
Office