How to Sell Your Own Home - by DeWayne Talley, a Florida Broker-Associate

After 45 years in the business, I would like to share with you my secrets on “How to sell a home!” Why would I do that? Not everybody needs an agent, and I sincerely want to keep you out of trouble. Some of today’s on-line programs make selling look so simple, but there are schemes out there that are not the best way to sell! As the old saying goes, “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!” But, a small percentage do it, and here’s how!

1.      PLAN YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY. Make a list of all the things you will need to attract buyers. We have 44 things we do to market our listings. Most agents do 4 or 5. How many ways can you think of that will achieve the most money in the shortest amount of time? 

2.      WRITE GOOD MARKETING COPY. It is important to say enough to get the buyer’s attention, but not so much that they will not call you. Remember, you know too much about your property. Plus, to stay out of trouble you must disclose all material facts that would affect a buyer’s decision, but you can easily do that with a Seller’s Disclosure.

3.      HAVE PROFESSIONAL PICTURES TAKEN! Be sure to stage your property correctly. Get the stuff off the fridge, remove towels and anything that will draw the buyer’s eye away from the benefits of your property. When you do your drone shots, be sure to omit discolorations on your roof, bad vegetation, and problems with the neighbor’s property as well.

4.      PLACE ADS EVERYWHERE. We post on over 20 search engines worldwide, in newspapers & magazines, Facebook, MLS, Instagram, YouTube, mail postcards, email the top agents, and build top notch Highlight Sheets for Open Houses,  and much more.

5.      MAKE A LIST OF PESONAL PROPERTY. Know what stays and what goes! Decide if you are selling Furnished, Unfurnished or Turnkey. Remove all items that are not staying with the sale, which includes, lights, fans, rugs, etc.

6.      GET AN ATTRACTIVE YARD SIGN! Be sure the sign conforms with your area requirements. A bad looking For Sale By Owner Signs is a target for bottom feeders wanting to take advantage of unsuspecting sellers.

7.      HAVE ANSWERS TO PERTINENT QUESTIONS. Are you working with real estate? What will you pay them? What will the taxes be for a new buyer? What will their payment be per $1,000 of mortgage? Have a Buyer’s Net Sheet done to help buyers to make up their mind faster. Decide whether you will cooperate with Veterans and FHA buyers, or do you want only Conventional Loan buyers? Decide if you are willing to pay any of the buyer’s closing costs? Have answers to questions about utilities, community fees, HOA or Condo documents, and management contacts. Have any past property surveys or wind mitigation reports handy.

8.      DECIDE HOW TO HANDLE INCOMING CALLS! Most important is have a good selling story, and know when you will be available to show the property.

9.      KNOW YOUR MARKET - Have a Comparative Market Analysis available so you can show the buyer what your home is worth. Anticipate the buyer’s questions and how to overcome their buying objections

10.   BE PREPARED TO GO TO CONTRACT! Know when you want to close, who will write the contract, who will set up escrow, order the inspection, how you are going to negotiate repairs, and who will handle the closing? Negotiating the details is the most important part. Many seller’s end up taking less because they like the buyers. Falling into that trap can cost your thousands! I can tell you dozens of ways a closing can also go bad at the last moment. Be prepared to Save Your Transaction at the Closing Table by being on top of everybody and everything.

11.   BE SAFE WHEN YOU SHOW YOUR PROPERTY! Always let the customer go ahead of you into a room. Keep the couple and kids all together with you. Have a defense plan, if things don’t go the way you plan. Be aware of unusual questions or actions. Lock up all valuables!

12.   BEGIN RIGHT… Staging Your Property correctly, Fix What’s Broken, Update Your Appliances, and Preen Your Home for Curb Appeal.

13.   A PAST CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL – “I was trying to sell the house myself, and I was having no luck until DeWayne got involved. He was working on behalf of the buyer, but could not have been more available to me. He always answered my calls, or responded quickly to any messages I left. He was very helpful with the paperwork aspects of the sale. He has such a pleasant “we can do this” attitude which I appreciated. I’m very thankful I did business with DeWayne, and I recommend him highly.” Rick A.

14.   BEST OF LUCK SELLING! In the even it does not go as planned and you decide you need a professional, let’s talk. A customer once told me, “You are like the Easy Button of Real Estate!”

Call or Text 239-707-9393.

Email: DeWayneTalley177@gmail.com.

Website: BonitaSpringsNaplesProperties.com

Over $400 Million in Close Sales

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