1. Get Representation
Did you know that only 8% of homes are sold by the owner? Working with a real estate professional pays for itself (and then some…)
- Time – Selling a home takes a lot time and may be much more work than you think. As your realtor, it’s my job to lessen your workload and help you get your home sold for the most money with the least amount of hassle. I can even list and sell your home when you have already moved. I’ll handle all the showings, inspection, appraisal, termite guy, etc. Even the closing can be done remotely. My job is to make the process easy for you.
- Knowledge of Neighborhood Trends– Research and attention to detail are key here. Working with a realtor who can use technology to analyze and understand the trends in your neighborhood is crucial to pricing success.
- Marketing– Marketing matters. With each listing, I use my skills and resources to market your property and mobilize the entire real estate community to get you the most money possible in the least amount of time. I create a comprehensive marketing plan tailored to your target market and produce a professional video tour that really helps the prospective buyers understand the very best features of your home.
- Negotiating Skills–A great Realtor pays for themselves by negotiating top dollar for your property. When multiple offers are involved, this is especially important.
- Coordination – After we have our offer, there are many steps that get us to the closing table. My job is to keep things on schedule by orchestrating all the communication and timelines with the buyer’s agent, title company, lender, inspections, appraisal, and much more.
2. Staging and Presentation
Before you hit the market, it’s important to make your home as appealing as possible to prospective buyers. Unless you’re selling it “As Is”, doing the right repairs and renovations will help you get much more money for your home. To get that work done, I can refer you to some great local contractors.
When it comes to staging, simple adjustments can make a big difference in whether or not your home sells quickly or sits on the market for months with no action. Professional stagers furnish your home with stylish, contemporary furniture and accessories, and this can really pay off in the end. I can refer you to some great Nashville stagers I love working with.
For those who choose not to use professional staging, you must do a little staging of your own. Pictures will be very important in the selling process, but pics are only as good as the subject matter. Buyers are often turned off by clutter and decorative elements that could have been easily removed. My background in home design and photography allows me to offer my clients suggestions that can make a huge difference in the success of the listing campaign. Do not skip this step if you want to get top dollar for your home.
TIP: The outside of the home is also an important factor. The buyer gets a feeling as they pull into the driveway, and your lawn ornament collection may not be their taste. J Curb appeal matters, so throw away the junk, box up the excess, and get the most money possible for your property.
3. Pricing
Finding the right price for a property is a delicate dance. A great realtor will use their knowledge of the existing inventory and trends in your area to help you get the most money possible for your house. I’m constantly previewing homes in all areas of Nashville, to say up-to-date on the inventory. It’s about more than comps though. In order to get a clear idea of the best price for your home, I need to do a thorough evaluation in person.
TIP: A good way to get a clear idea of how to price your home is to THINK LIKE A BUYER. I can set you up on MLS e-mail alerts so that you see all the listings you’ll be competing with. Competition is what dictates price more than any other factor. Getting real about the homes on the market is a great way to make sure that your home is priced in the sweet spot.
4. Video & Photography
Now that the home is staged and ready to go, it’s time for a very important step. Marketing Materials! I have a unique background that helps my sellers. In my previous life, I traveled the world as a film producer, Broadway actress, copywriter, and marketing professional. I use these skills to create a comprehensive marketing plan that will resonate with your ideal buyer. My personally hosted video tours give prospective buyers an emotional response as it highlights the very best features of your home.
In this digital age, having great photo and video content also allows me to market the home to buyers who are out of state. With approx. 83 people moving to Nashville each day, this gives your home a huge edge over the competition.
5. Listing the Property on the MLS
With proper staging and all the marketing materials ready to go, it’s time to list your property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). You would be amazed how many homes are improperly listed, and this has a negative impact on the launch of a listing campaign. I use strong marketing keywords, great descriptions for the photos, and accurate, detailed information to make sure your home is found in searches. This is SO important.
6. Web Marketing and Printed Materials
Once the house is listed on the MLS, some sellers (and agents) sit back and wait. I disagree! Now is the time when we implement our marketing plan using targeted Social Media and Web Marketing. I have been active in Facebook advertising since its inception and use advanced techniques to target our ideal buyer. I also use live streaming options to gain online attention for the property. For properties over $500,000, I create a custom website that showcases the photo and video content.
Although much of the marketing is done online these days, it’s also still important to have professionally designed, printed materials. This content is great for in-person networking. I like to create fliers that feature the beautiful home photos and also showcase the lifestyle of your home with information about nearby restaurants, shops, and other attractions.
7. Open Houses
For many properties, open houses are a great way to market to prospective buyers. Sometimes we will choose to do an exclusive, invite-only broker event, a fun holiday or sports themed open house, or a fine wine and cheese cocktail party. Every property requires a different approach to fit the target market.
8. Networking
Once we’ve created the perfect marketing campaign for your property, I spread the word to my personal and professional network of fellow realtors who can bring in qualified buyers.
I have an e-mail list that covers every agent in the Nashville area and many prospective buyers beyond that. I’m also active in the Nashville area community and network in a variety of public and private groups for Real Estate industry professionals and investors. You want a realtor with a good sphere of influence who knows how to leverage it.
9. Showing
With this great listing and so much marketing buzz, it’s time for showings! Many sellers underestimate the amount of work that goes into showing your home, but I can help to minimize that for you.
During this time, it’s very important you keep things neat and ready to show at a moment’s notice. Scheduling people to come in and out can be a tremendous undertaking. That’s why I work with a showing service that takes appointments and keeps track of who visited your home. After each showing, I will also follow-up with agents to get feedback on the property. This can be really insightful as we go through the selling process.
TIP: Making decisions about what to do with your pets during showings is something that needs to be planned in advance. The best option is to take the pets out of the house during showings. I HIGHLY recommend this. If that’s not possible, putting pets in a kennel is quite common. With any pet issues, it’s important that I give the showing service detailed instructions for buyers agents so they’ll be prepared for the animals present and know if they are supposed to stay in or out.
10. Negotiation
We have an offer! Yay! When offers start coming in, having exclusive representation in the negotiation and closing process is invaluable. An offer not only includes price, it also includes the terms of the financing, earnest money, contingencies, home inspections, appraisal, closing costs, and the time line for the whole process. You have the choice to accept, reject, or counter an offer, and I will help to protect your interests and coordinate with the other agents/buyers through the negotiation.
Once the offer is accepted, the buyer will begin the process of obtaining the mortgage, earnest money/escrow, home inspection, appraisal, and final the walk-through. My job is orchestrate all of these moving parts to make sure that things are smooth and on schedule all the way through closing…
I hope you enjoyed my Nashville Selling Guide!
Feel free to contact me to chat more. I work with clients throughout Middle Tennessee and am also open to giving referrals to those outside of this area. Give me a call at (615) 500-9513.
Also, below. you’ll find a link to get a FREE, Competitive Market Analysis (CMA) that will help you determine what your home is worth. After you input in your address and contact info, the CMA will be instantly e-mailed to you. Easy, free, and a lot of valuable information.
Click here to get the Competitive Market Analysis emailed directly to you!
