Introduction

Selling Your Home with Ask A Walker

 

When you sell your home with the Ask A Walker, you can rest assured that we have your best interests at heart. From a 1 bedroom studio condo to a 6-bedroom single family home and beyond, you get 100% of our attention and dedication. We will provide you with around the clock availability, neighborhood knowledge, invaluable staging advice, professional photography and video, top notch marketing, expert negotiating skills, step by step accountability, and honest and trusted advice. Our top priority is to provide the best service, selling your home for the most money possible, in as little time as possible, and with the least possible disruption and stress in your everyday life. We may not be superheroes, but will go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that we far exceed your expectations.

 

We offer advice for every step of the process, from decluttering your home for showings, including storage options, all the way through the closing table, and into your next home. Below, we will go over the steps and processes of each step to ensure your home sale process is simple and fluid.

What Sets Us Apart

 

A major thing that sets us apart from the rest is that the Ask A Walker team is a team in every sense of the word. We are both licensed agents with our own strengths, skills, and experiences, as opposed to the traditional “Agent/Assistant” team.

Abraham is highly skilled in negotiation and can broker the best deal possible for the sale of your home. He is also a creative mind and can ensure that your home is seen by millions, ensuring a quick sale.

Krystal is highly adept at the process management. She will ensure every step is smooth, coordinating vendors for each task necessary and bringing the transaction to a beneficial close for all parties.

We are Clients First

 

Most of all, we are a team with you on our side. Our clients are our family, we treat them with the same respect and integrity that we’d treat our immediate family.

We will never advise a client to make a decision that will not benefit them in the end. The relationships we build mean so much more than the commission we earn.

Our goal is to build lifelong relationships with our clients, which means we will stay on your side long after we leave the closing table.

Come Work With Us!

 

If you are interested in being a part of our team to sell your home, please download the seller checklist, CLICK HERE. Our checklist outlines the process that we use to achieve our mutual goals, and get top dollar for your home.

Next, send an email to [email protected] so that we can send you a free no-obligation competitive market analysis (CMA).

 

When we work together, we aim to provide all needed information, and share our expert knowledge and educate you throughout the process.

STEP 1 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: HIRE A REALTOR

 

What is the first step in selling your Northern Virginia home?

 

You start your search online. Websites like Zillow, Trulia and Realtor are a great place to find out how much your neighbors are selling their homes for.

 

The internet is just a starting point for determining market value. These real websites often have incomplete information and lack adequate reviews.

 

Many of these real estate portals fail to maintain up-to-date information about Northern Virginia recent home sale figures, sales statuses, and more. Many times these sites may not even include the square footage making it difficult to make a true comparison.

 

For Sale by Owners (FSBO) and Pocket Listings (a home that was not listed in the MLS) may be entirely unrepresented on these websites.

 

You must remember the purpose of these websites is not to provide you with accurate information to make the best real estate decision. They are designed to treat you like a prospect and generate leads for the real estate agents and professionals marketing on their platform.

 

Online lead generation websites make hundreds of millions of dollars every year off of unsuspecting home sellers and buyers.

 

Do you find that SURPRISING?

 

Check out a property on any website I mentioned at the top of this post. Look at the right, left, or scroll to the bottom of any webpage.

 

Do you see how they conveniently located three to four agents with beautiful headshot photos next to the property listing? They are not concerned about providing you with quality information to help you make the best decision but rather selling your contact information to the highest bidder.

 

With all that being said, the first step to selling your home in Northern Virginia should be finding and hiring a local real estate agent to represent your best interest.

 

Find and Hire a Real Estate Agent

Where can you find the best Real Estate?

Hopefully, you’ll reach out to us at 703-539-2053 or info@AskAWalker.com.

 

Once we meet you can determine if we’ll be a good fit to work together. This will be a working partnership and we want to make sure we are compatible and share the same goals for the sale of your house.

 

After the selection process, set up initial phone interviews.  Be sure to pay special attention to how quickly the agent responds to your request. These small details will give insight into how responsive they will be as your representative.

 

What is an ideal response time to telephone inquiries?

Responses should be provided within 24 hours, the faster the better.

 

During your initial phone screening, find out the depth of what your professional knows about your neighborhood. Ask about their experience in the local area.

 

If you feel comfortable with this initial interview, ask for a Competitive Market Analysis -(CMA) and set up a time to meet in person to discuss it.

 

At Ask A Walker, we call this interview a consultation because we ask several questions during the meeting.

 

Be prepared to answer some questions about the home, such as how much is still owed on the mortgage and if any repairs need to be completed. This information is needed for an accurate CMA.

 

At your face-to-face consultation, ask questions you’d ask an employee or future business partner. They will be working for and with you. You should not be the only person answering questions. (For a list of questions to ask, click here).

 

Ask them how they came to the figures in the CMA, look at the comparable homes they used.

 

Side note:

Don’t be afraid to question properties they’ve chosen on the CMA. This is where you get into alignment on the right price for your house.

 

Ask about the average Days on Market (DOM) for your area. Ask them what their fees are, and what they cover.

 

This is the time to discuss your minimum needs, timeframe, and hash out details regarding your goals for the transaction.

 

Be prepared to sign on with the Realtor you’ve decided to work with. There will be a few legal forms to sign before the listing is taken by the Realtor.

 

These forms protect all parties to the transaction and ensure that you are protected from certain liabilities. This authorizes the Realtor to do their job on your behalf.

 

If you have any questions about this stage of the process, email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 2 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: YOU’VE HIRED YOUR REALTOR. WHAT’S NEXT?

What’s one of the next steps to selling your house with a Realtor® after you made your decision?

More paperwork of course.

 

Starting the home selling process requires a legal contract designed to protect the best interest of all parties. Legal contracts can be confusing and we are trained to explain these forms and answer any question you may have. Be sure to read over the forms with us before signing them.

 

The fun part of the house selling process comes NEXT:

It’s time to make a list of your TOP 10 reasons you LOVE living in this home.

 

This list should not include reasons that will be obvious to buyers. List the reasons you love this property.

 

What makes this property special to you?

List the items you could only know after being a homeowner living in this property.

 

This list will contain things you love, like the little quirks you have found enjoyable.For example, the beautiful sunsets you see from you dining room while eating dinner, or the friendly neighborhood, or the local markets.

 

This TOP 10 list will help us set your home apart from the competition when we develop our marketing materials. Failure to skip this step makes it challenging for us to stand apart from all other Northern Virginia homes for sale.

 

Next, you will let us know the date you want to go live on MLS. We will need about a week to prep the home for going live, including decluttering and cleaning your residence for professional photos, 3D virtual tour, COMING SOON marketing, and eventually for showings.

 

Social Media Settings

Change social media settings to “friends only”. We want your privacy protected, and potential homebuyers will Google you and your home address to see what information they can uncover. If they find out about your new promotion, for example, we may lose valuable negotiation power.

 

For any questions, or guidance on how to complete this step, email us at [email protected].

 

Thank you for showing interest in our step by step breakdown of the home selling process. Feel free to share this guide with anyone you know selling their home in Northern Virginia.

 

STEP 3 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: DECLUTTER AND STAGE!

 

You’ve hired us and you’ve signed all the paperwork. Now it’s time to get your home showing ready.

 

We will walk through your homemaking suggestions of things to declutter and how to stage the space for optimal buyer appeal. Together, we can discuss and decide if we can stage with the furniture you have, or if we need to bring in a staging company.

 

If a stager is required, we will request several quotes from different companies for the best rate and quality of services.

 

Once decluttering is finished, and staging is in place, we can schedule our photographer to take listing photos. The quality of these photos is imperative to the success of your sale. We use a professional photographer because amateur photos can cost you several thousand in your final sales price. Our photographers will do still photography, as well as, a 3D virtual tour.

 

We can provide a list of decluttering tips, but remember we will make a personalized list at the Ask A Walker consultation.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 4 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: CONDUCT A PRE-LISTING INSPECTION

 

An inspection before your home is on the market?

 

We are huge advocates of pre-listing home inspections. That means you have your home inspected by a certified home inspector before it goes on the market.

 

This step costs you an initial $200-400 but can prevent problems later in the transaction. It will allow you to see things that need to be addressed before listing and sometimes buyers will waive the inspection if you share the inspection report.

 

This will mean a licensed home inspector comes in, systematically looks at every detail of the home, and outlines the things that need repair.

 

Many homes that fall out of escrow do so because of problems found in the inspection.

 

If this is a step you want to proceed with, we can arrange an inspection with a trusted inspector, and even be present for the inspection so you don’t need to miss work or reschedule any activities.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 5 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: REPAIRS!

If your home has been maintained well, this step should be easy.

 

From the inspection, you’ll learn about the things that NEED to be repaired, as well as those that should be repaired.

 

We can help you get quotes from and arrange the services of a contractor and handyman to make the repairs. You should also hire an HVAC specialist to clean and service your AC unit and furnace if you have not been doing so semi-annually.

 

Beyond the big things requiring professionals here are a few other repairs to consider:

• Touch up paint
• Install new caulking around the showers, tubs, and sinks
• Replace light bulbs, making sure all bulbs in a fixture match
• Have chimneys swept, and any fireplace concerns addressed by a professional
• Change outdated cabinet hardware, a visually appealing and inexpensive update like this can increase the amount a buyer is willing to pay.
• Repair any broken window screens, this can be done at your local hardware store.
• Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure proper function
• Repair any broken roof tiles or shingles, clear gutters, etc

 

For any questions, or guidance on how to complete this step call us at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 6 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: SPARKLING CLEAN HOUSE

You want your home cleaner than clean when it comes on the market because a clean house impresses buyers.

 

We recommend that you hire a professional cleaning service, as it’s easy to overlook details when you live in the space. This should take place as close to the day of photography as is possible.

 

We want your home sparkling inside and out for photos. This should take place after all repairs and staging have been completed.

 

We are happy to schedule a trusted cleaner to assist you, after the photos are taken, do you best to maintain the cleanliness of your home for showings.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 7 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

We hire the best photographers to take our listing photos, and it is their goal to show your home to buyers in the best way possible, emphasizing many of the points that you expressed as favorites.

 

The appointment will take approximately 2-4 hours. While they are there, they will take pictures of each room, do a 3D scan for the virtual Matterport tour, and also create a floor plan so buyers may see the space more clearly.

 

Tips for a successful photoshoot:

• Remove pets from the home, or crate/kennel them during the appointment.
• Hide all pet beds, bowls, toys, etc. Pets can be a turnoff for buyers who may have allergies or other aversions to animals.
• Make the bed.
• Put away the dishes.
• Turn on all lights, and make sure the bulbs are all working. Especially those in lamps.
• The day before the appointment, take your own photos with your smartphone. If they look cluttered, declutter more. Even if it’s just temporarily putting things in cabinets, closets, and drawers.

 

We may move items around slightly for the best photos, please do not be surprised or upset to find things a little out of place. We do try to put things back as they were, but it’s not always possible.

 

In condos and homes in a HOA, we photograph the amenities of the community. If there is anything like a favorite park or activity nearby, let us know.

 

We can expect the photos, video tour and floor plan back within 72 hours. As soon as they are back from the photographer, we’ll go active in MLS and your home will be on the market!

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 8 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: WE’LL PRE-MARKET YOUR HOME

While we’re waiting on your photos, we aren’t idle.

 

We will be marketing the home to other realtors who may have ready, willing, and able buyers on hand.

 

We’ll evaluate what marketing plan makes sense for your situation and home:

• Send “Just Listed” e-cards to all the local realtors
• Conduct a broker’s open house
• Schedule and advertise back-to-back open house to take place the Saturday and Sunday after the home hits the market
• Canvas the neighborhood letting neighbors know about the pending listing and open house
• Create and print professional brochures
• Install a visible and attractive For Sale sign on the property
• Order professional flyers for details on the home
• Put a lockbox on the home for showings

 

Typically, the above can take up to 72 hours. After that, once the photos are back from the photographer, your home will go live in the MLS!

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 9 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: WE’RE LIVE ON MLS, NOW WHAT?

Thanks for all your hard work so far! Soon you’ll see your plans coming to fruition.

 

Generally, you can expect your first showing request in 36-72 hours. As soon as the request is made, you’ll receive notification to schedule a time that works best for the buyer and their realtor to view the home.

 

It’s not unusual to receive requests in the morning for same day showings. Please prepare your home each day before you leave for showings. If this might be an issue due to kids, pets, etc., let us know so we can require 24 hour lead time in the MLS description.

 

We will send a copy of the MLS review sheet for you to approve, this is what the buyer’s agent will present the buyers before the showing appointment. Any errors will be fixed ASAP.

 

As each showing request comes in, you may accept, decline, or reschedule the appointment. Keep in mind, the only way to sell the home is to show it.

 

A buyer shouldn’t have to work around our schedule, which is why we put a MLS approved lockbox on the property, so they can see the home even when you are not there.

 

The sooner we can get a buyer in, the fewer showings we will need to schedule, and the quicker we can sell the home.

 

You will need to be out of the home during showings. It is awkward to have the homeowner in the home and can deter buyers.

 

Showings usually run 30-60 minutes. It is best if you are out of the home 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time, just in case the buyer and agent arrive early.

 

As soon as the showing is finished, we will follow up with the buyer’s agent via email asking for feedback on the home. About 30% of realtors take the time to respond to feedback requests and when we do receive feedback we will forward it on to you immediately.

 

Don’t be concerned by a lack of feedback or feedback that your house isn’t a good fit for their needs.

 

We only need ONE buyer to fall in love.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 10 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: PUTTING YOUR HOME LISTING ON 3RD PARTY SITES

Once the home is live on MLS, we will share it on Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Keller Williams and a host of other real estate websites.

 

This process can take up to 72 hours, depending on the site, so your patience is appreciated.

 

From here, you will receive a weekly update with a report showing how many people have viewed and saved your home online.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 11 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: TIME FOR SHOWINGS

With your first showing request, you know you’re well on the way to a sale.

 

Tips to keep in mind before each showing:

 

• Have your home look just like it did for the photographs (clean, tidy, uncluttered)
• Put all toilet seats down
• Open all curtains and blinds, light up every room with as much natural light as you can
• Turn on all lights before the showing
• Hide any valuable and de-personalize your home
• Take medications, jewelry, weapons, etc with you if possible
• Hide all bills with your name on them, we value your anonymity, and don’t want buyers to know who owns the house
• Turn off the security alarms and lock the doors, the buyer’s realtor will use a key secured in the lock box to access the home. They will turn off lights and lock up after they’ve shown the home
• Expect to be out of the home for 45 min for each showing. You should exit the home 15 minutes before the showing appointment
• Take pets with you, or kennel them for showings.
• Once the MLS sheets and fliers arrive in your mail, place them on the table or in the foyer for showings

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 12 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: WEEK ONE ON THE MARKET

Tracking metrics is one way we establish where we are in the process of achieving our shared goal.

 

Number of showings

In the first week, we should expect 5-10 showings, this varies depending on the time of year. If this isn’t happening, we need to have an honest discussion to pinpoint why this is.

 

It is nearly always one of three things.

Price, Photos, or Marketing.

 

We will discuss which of these is the likely culprit and address how to fix that.

 

What happens if our stats fall short of the metrics?

 

First: don’t get discouraged. Remember the discussion about average days on market for your area. The process won’t happen overnight, we just need to assess it all and tweak a few details.

 

Also, keep the home clean, tidy and approve as many showings as is reasonable.

 

The more showings, the more likely we are to make a buyer fall in love.

 

Finally, we need to look hard at the things that we can change to increase your property’s appeal. There are 4 critical points of a successful sale.

 

1. Location
   1. Since we can’t change the location, we need to assess how we can change the rest of the factors.
2. Condition
   1. Is there anything else that can be reasonably improved? Is there anything that’s come up in the feedback that you can address?
3. Marketing
   1. Photos/Marketing: How do the photos look? How is the property showing on Zillow, Realtor.com and similar? Can we improve the description? Are there any more platforms to advertise on?
4. Price
   1. If all other aspects have been addressed, then we need to discuss our pricing strategy. Would this be a good opportunity to change the price? Buyers search for homes in $25K increments, so our decrease may open the buyer pool and get the home sold. Example: If your home is originally listed at $585K, and you lower it to $575K, you’ve just opened to a new pool.
   2. Can we sweeten the pot and add some incentive to pique buyers’ interest? Think about offering a buyer credit at the closing table if they close before a certain date. Or a buyer’s agent incentive to get under contract by a certain date. Time is money, more so with this industry, and these tactics really do work.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 13 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: YOU’VE GOT AN OFFER!

You’ve got an offer, fantastic!

Congratulations!

 

But what does it mean?

 

We will review the contents of the offer with you. There are few terms we want to pay specific attention to in the sales contract:

 

Price: What did you list the home for, what is your lowest price, where does this fall on that scale?

 

Closing date: In this market, the closing is typically 30-45 days from date of offer acceptance. Where does the date on the offer fall in this timeline? Sometimes buyers will need more time for special loan programs, for giving notice to a landlord, or to close on their own home.

 

Earnest Money: How much is the buyer putting down? Typically, this will be at least 1% of the sales price. If the buyer is putting less than that down, they may be using a special loan program such as FHA or VA. If they are putting less than this, it may show financial instability, or that they are at the upper edge of the budget.

 

Down Payment: With a variety of loan programs available, the down payment could be any amount from 0% upwards. We like to see 5% or more, unless they are doing a VA or FHA loan. The more they are putting down the better their chances of loan approval.

 

Closing Costs Credits: Is the buyer asking you to pay a portion of the closing costs? Did you offer a buyer credit incentive? Keep in mind that amount they are asking will come from your net. Example, if they ask for $9,000 in closing costs, and offer $600K, you will net $591,000 before closing fees.

 

Home warranty: Is the buyer asking you to pay for a home warranty? Depending on the home, this can range from $400-900.

 

Personal property: Have the buyers asked for the inclusion of personal property? Often this will be outdoor equipment, such as a grill or patio furniture. You do NOT have to agree to this if you plan to take the items to your next home.

 

Home inspection period: How long have the buyers requested to conduct and report the findings of the home inspection? How long is the negotiation period?

 

Contingencies: Have they added any contingencies? Such as needing to close on their home first?

 

Additional Riders or Addendums: These can be the things that don’t fit into any other categories such as lead based paint testing.

 

We are your team in this process, so if at any point when reviewing an offer you have a question or concern, we are right here to help you in understanding and making a well-informed choice.

 

If the conditions of the offer are acceptable, then you’ll  accept.

 

If they are close, but not quite right, you can counter their offer. If you choose to counter, you must realize negotiations can move at different rates. It’s normal to feel impatient at this stage, but you have expert negotiators on your side.

 

If the terms are completely out of line, you can walk away and reject it.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 14 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: WE COULDN’T COME TO AGREEABLE TERMS WITH THE BUYER. WHAT NOW?

It’s okay to be disappointed, but sometimes you just can’t come to an agreement, and that’s just fine.

 

We will continue the process of showings, marketing, and open houses. Keep a positive outlook, we will find the perfect buyer!

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 15 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: OFFER WAS ACCEPTED! CONGRATS!

Kudos, we couldn’t be happier for you!

 

Both parties have signed the offer and everything is on its way. Once the paperwork is completed, we will send a copy of the executed (signed) documents to you for your records. We’ll forward the contract to the settlement company so they can reach out to your lender to begin calculating your final payoff.

 

The contract stipulates when the buyer must submit the earnest money deposit to the escrow agent or transfer the funds via wire transfer. It will be held in an escrow account until the close of the sale. This is a good faith payment, to show intention to follow through. The earnest money is credited to the buyer at the end of the sale to go toward the final purchase of the home.

 

Once we have a ratified contract the home will be marked as Cont,CNKO or CKO in MLS, and all future showings and open houses will be canceled.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 16 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: THE HOME INSPECTION PERIOD

A home inspection will usually happen within 7-10 days after the contract is accepted. The buyer is responsible for the cost and scheduling of the inspection.

 

An inspection typically takes 3-4 hours for a single-family home, 2-3 hours for a townhouse and 1-2 hours for a condo.

 

The inspector will usually take at least 24 hours to write the report from their notes. We recommend that you NOT be present for the inspection; the buyer’s agent, however, will be present. This is a time for the buyer and the inspector to speak candidly about the home.

 

The home should be showing ready and in the same condition as when the home was previously viewed.

 

The buyers and their agent will review the inspector’s report and negotiate repairs or credits for repairs.

 

If major issues are found in the inspection, the buyer has a right to walk away and retain their earnest money. Therefore, we highly recommend the initial pre-listing inspection. It’s a cost out of pocket, but will reduce the stress in the long run.

 

Once we come to an agreement between all parties, we move forward in the process. All repairs should be performed by a contractor licensed to do the type of work required, unless otherwise specified.

 

Repairs agreed upon need to be completed prior to the final walkthrough. We recommend that all repairs be done at least 7 days before closing.

 

Receipts will be needed to prove that the repairs are fully paid for before settlement.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 17 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: FINANCING AND APPRAISAL CONTINGENCY PERIOD

Appraisal Period

 

If the buyer is taking out a mortgage to finance the purchase, they will require a professional appraisal report. The buyer’s lender will order the appraisal and the buyer will pay for it.

 

The appraiser uses a visual assessment, county tax records, and comparable home sales to assess the value of the home.

 

You do not need to attend the appraisal. We will meet the appraiser at the home, provide them with our CMA, and walk them through the property.

 

The appraisal usually takes between 30 to 60 minutes. Appraisals are conducted within the first 3 weeks of ratification.

 

The appraiser will write a report and submit it to the lender to make their final funding decisions. The lender will forward it to the buyer to let them know whether the offer is within the appraised value or if the price needs to be renegotiated. A lender will not lend over appraisal value.

 

If for any reason the appraisal value is below the agreed upon sales price you may need to renegotiate the sales price or the buyer may choose to come up with the difference.

 

In rare cases, where we can prove appraiser error, we can dispute the appraisal and provide our comps for them to compare. This is not allowed by many lenders.

 

Financing approval

The buyer has until the deadline specified in the sales contract to obtain and furnish a written commitment approving their loan for the purchase of the home.

 

Assuming all inspections, repairs, and contract changes have been successfully negotiated, these contingencies are removed, and we can move forward with settlement.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

 STEP 18 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: SELECT A TITLE COMPANY

You have the right to choose a settlement agent to handle this transaction.

 

The settlement company is usually chosen by the buyer, however, you can choose a different company if you prefer. The settlement agent’s role involves many administrative and clerical functions related to the collection of documents and distribution of funds.

 

The settlement company will:

• Order title search for you home
• Should there be any “clouds” on the title, they will work to “clear” the title
• Order the payoff for any outstanding loans on the property. The funds needed to payoff your loan should you have a mortgage on the property
• Prepare all necessary legal documents including but not limited to, ALTA Statement, Closing Statement, Power of Attorney
• Obtain all necessary transfer information for homeowners’ or condo association
• Schedule closing

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 19 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: SCHEDULE CLOSING

Now that the financing and inspection periods have closed, it’s time to verify closing dates with the title company and arrange for you to vacate the home.

 

We’ll coordinate a time for you to sign all closing documents with the settlement agency. You can do this in advance of the buyer or at the same time. If you’re closing with the buyer they may have a few questions about the house and now’s a great time to answer them.

 

If we are doing a split settlement we recommend closing before the buyers so we can leave all keys with the closing company.

 

When closing at the end of the month we advise booking settlement as earlier in the process as possible. Please let us know your schedule in advance so we can make accommodations.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 20 TO SELLING YOUR HOUSE: HIRE MOVERS, START PACKING!

Hire movers, start packing: You can get moving company estimates, or schedule your own moving truck. You have your dates scheduled and know when you need to be out of your home.

 

Please leave time after your vacancy to clean the home before closing. For safety, try to be out by the day prior to closing.

 

Moving supplies: You can get moving supplies from moving companies, retail chains like Home Depot, and even online message boards and community groups.

 

Pets and Children: Moving can be very stressful for your pets and children. They can get underfoot and cause injury. Consider asking friends or family to take them while you move and get settled.

 

Items to leave: If it’s attached to the walls, chances are it stays with the home. Shelving, curtains, and rods, etc. typically stay.

 

Appliances included in the sale need to stay.

 

If there are any questions, ask us. Taking things you aren’t supposed to be taken can cause problems in the walkthrough, and delay closing.

 

Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

Step 21 to Selling Your House: Utilities Transfer

 

Schedule the transfer of utilities: Unless you enjoy paying other people’s bills, schedule the shutoff of your utilities for the day of closing.

 

If you’re moving into another home, schedule them to be transferred to the new address.This is an often-overlooked task, before the actual closing date, make a list of the utilities you pay, electricity, natural gas, garbage, sewer/water, internet/cable, etc.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected]

 

STEP 22 TO SELLING YOUR HOUSE: HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE CANCELATION

Cancel or transfer your homeowner’s insurance:

 

If you’re moving to another purchased home transfer your insurance to the new home, schedule it in advance to transfer on the date of closing. This will prevent a lapse in case of an emergency the day of closing.

 

If you aren’t moving into a newly purchased home, switch to renter’s insurance, and discuss the next step with your insurance agent.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 23 TO SELLING YOUR HOUSE: MOVE OUT CLEAN

Hire a residential cleaning company

 

The sales contract states “broom clean” status when you move out but it is suggested out of courtesy to give it a last deep clean before you transfer keys. It’s best if you can schedule your move out and cleaning to be done prior to final walkthrough.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 24 TO SELLING YOUR HOUSE: BUYER’S MORTGAGE APPROVAL

Clear to Close: The finish line is in sight!

 

A few days before the scheduled closing date the buyer will receive verification of funding approval from their lender. This means they have officially been approved for the loan and we can move forward with settlement as planned.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 25 TO SELLING YOUR HOUSE: FINAL WALKTHROUGH

At this point, all your belongings are out of the house. The house has been thoroughly cleaned.

 

Once a closing date, time and location are scheduled, a final walkthrough will be arranged by the buyer’s agent.

 

Here’s what to expect:

1. The buyer will ensure all contracted repairs have been made.
2. All appliances are still in working order
3. All fixtures and conveyances are still affixed and present
4. They will make sure the home hasn’t been damaged when you moved out
5.  This is NOT a time for the buyers’ extended family, contractors, friends, etc. to see the home or give quotes. This can wait until the home is officially theirs and the paperwork has been signed.
6. It is NOT a time to move in property.
7. It is NOT when the buyer receives the keys, again this will happen at closing.

 

Please give us a call at 703-596-2082 if you have any questions regarding the final walk through.

 

STEP 26 TO SELLING YOUR HOUSE: IT’S CLOSING TIME!

Closing Day is Upon Us!

 

At settlement you will sign all the required paperwork, including the HUD/Settlement documents. Please make sure you bring two forms of ID, all house and mailbox keys, and garage door openers.

 

If you are expecting a balance after the closing costs and loan balance are paid, you will receive a wire transfer, or have a check sent to you usually within 2 business days of closing.

 

That’s it. You’re done! Congratulations!

 

We value your referrals. It would mean the world to us if you could recommend our services to your friends and family.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].

 

STEP 27 DISPERSAL

In Virginia, the transfer of ownership must be recorded in the land records before any funds are released.

Funds are disbursed within 2 business days of closing being complete.

Closing is considered complete once all ‘good’ funds are received and paperwork has been signed

STEP 28 TO SELLING YOUR HOME: REVIEW US

Review us: We appreciate your reviews and feedback.

 

We offer a short service survey and would value your participation.

 

We don’t advertise our services and depend entirely on positive reviews.

 

Questions? Please give us a call at 703-539-2053 or email us at [email protected].