what to expect when listing your home
-
Choosing the agent who will list your home is a big decision. It’s important that you’re working with an agent who will always have you and your best interests at top of mind.
Your agent’s primary goal is to ensure that you achieve your goal of successfully selling your home. You should feel comfortable with your agent and be able to trust that they’re hearing you and meeting your needs as a seller.
Once you find an agent you’re willing to work with, they’ll likely set up a listing appointment with you to go over marketing and of course, price.
-
Even in a hot seller’s market, pricing your home appropriately and competitively is a crucial step in listing your home. Setting the price too high can backfire, while listing too low can leave money on the table. Your agent will do an in-depth Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to help determine a range for your home. A CMA compares your home of interest to other properties in the area that are similar, to estimate its value. But remember, the market determines the true value of your home.
-
Getting your home market ready is a surefire way to attract eager buyers to your property. Remember, first impressions are important!
Some small, but impactful things you can do are:
Tidy up common areas such living and dining spaces, your kitchen, and bedrooms
Improve curb appeal by manicuring your lawn or planting flowers
Hire a professional stager
Professional photos will be taken of your home, as well as an attention-grabbing description of the property. Your home will be listed in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and hit sites like Zillow or Realtor.com.
At Lamacchia Realty, we have unparalleled marketing that sets us apart from other brokerages. When you list with me, you can rest assured that your home is constantly attracting buyers due to our marketing strategies.
-
Now that your home is on the market, it’s time to allow buyers in to see it! Buyers appreciate the opportunity to tour a home soon after discovery, especially in a competitive market. Some ways that buyers can see your home are through open houses or private showings arranged by their agent.
Restricting access may deter potential buyers and diminish interest in your listing. By offering flexible access options, you not only accommodate buyer preferences but increase the likelihood of attracting motivated and qualified buyers to your property.
-
When a buyer decides they want to place an offer on your home, your agent will present you with the details of the offer.
Some things you should look for are:
Offer Amount
Contingencies or clauses (i.e., Home Sale Contingency or Escalation Clause)
Types of Financing (if any—FHA/Conventional)
Earnest Money Deposit/Down Payment
Closing Date
You can choose to accept the offer, counter it at a different price, or decline it altogether.
-
The home inspection typically happens 7 days after you accept an offer, if the buyer elects to do one. A licensed home inspector will take 2 to 3 hours to thoroughly inspect your home from basement to attic.
The inspector will review items such as:
Lots and Grounds
Exterior surfaces and components
Structure
Plumbing
Electrical
The buyer will receive a detailed report with the inspectors findings. If the buyer has any areas of concern they will be addressed with your agent and brought to your attention.
-
A P&S is a legally binding document that parties in a transaction use to stipulate the terms and conditions that will guide the sale and transfer of goods or property. It creates an obligation for you, as the seller to sell, and for the buyer to buy. Typically, your attorney will draft the P&S and send to the buyer’s attorney.
At this time, the remainder of the buyer’s Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) will be due. Once you and the buyer(s) have reviewed and signed the P&S, as well as the buyer's second deposit received, the P&S will become fully executed.
After P&S, the buyer will have an appraisal done if they are financing the home. An appraisal is an assessment of a property’s value, using factors such as location, square footage, condition, and recent sales.
-
In the original offer and P&S, there will be a date listed for the buyer to receive their mortgage commitment from their lender. A Mortgage Commitment is the day a buyer's lender agrees to provide financing for a home.
A title search will also be conducted to ensure the rightful owner is selling the home and that there are no liens against the property.
-
As you prepare for closing, you’ll want to remove any of your possessions from the property, unless it’s specified to stay (i.e., appliances).
If you agreed to make repairs or improvements, you’re obligated, as the seller, to make those repairs. The buyer will have a final walkthrough with their agent at least 24 hours prior to closing. The buyer is just looking to make sure agreed-upon repairs were made and no new issues have come up before closing.
On closing day, you’ll need to sign some paperwork to finalize the sale, but you don’t necessarily need to attend the buyer’s closing.
the list with the best method
Every listing is different—but with the List With the Best Method, the strategy is always solid, seamless, and seller-focused. Rooted in market expertise and built on trust, the List With the Best Method takes the guesswork out of selling your home!
-
I start by performing a deep market analysis—looking beyond just comps—to understand local trends, buyer behavior, and your home’s true value. I price to position your property competitively while maximizing return.
Strategic pricing = strong interest + strong offers.
-
First impressions matter. I’ll walk you through exactly how to prep your home to shine—whether it’s small repairs, staging tips, or curb appeal boosts. If needed, I’ll connect you with trusted professionals to help.
The goal? Showcase your home in its best light, without unnecessary stress.
-
Your home deserves more than a cell phone photo and a basic listing. I invest in professional photography, eye-catching social media marketing, targeted email campaigns, and enhanced MLS exposure to get your home in front of serious buyers—fast.
Marketing isn’t just pretty—it’s powerful. And it’s a key part of my strategy.
-
I coordinate all showings, open houses, and buyer inquiries so everything runs smoothly and on your timeline. You’ll always be informed, never overwhelmed.
Clear communication and proactive planning are my non-negotiables.
-
When the offers come in, I’m here to protect your bottom line. I review every detail, advocate for your goals, and guide you through the negotiation process with clarity and confidence.
My job is to make sure your deal is not just done—but done right.
-
I stay hands-on through inspections, appraisals, and every document in between. You’ll never wonder “what’s next?” because I’ll be two steps ahead, every step of the way.
You handle the packing—I’ll handle the paperwork.
need to buy and sell?
Navigating the process of selling your home while simultaneously searching for a new one can be a complex and challenging endeavor, requiring careful planning and strategic timing to ensure a smooth transition.
As your dedicated Realtor, I can streamline this process by leveraging my expertise to coordinate both sales seamlessly, ensuring you find your dream home while selling your current property at the best possible price.
Some strategies for successfully buying and selling your home are:
Intentionally Delay Closing — negotiate a closing date as far as possible to give you ample time to buy your next home.
Request a Rent Back — a rent back is a temporary agreement between a seller and buyer that allows the seller to “rent back” the property from the buyer for a certain period of time to allow the seller to secure housing.
Stay on Top of the Market — start leisurely looking for homes to narrow down where you want to buy. You’ll start noticing the prices in the areas you’re looking in, and how quickly those homes are going under agreement. This way, when the right home hits the market, you’re more than ready.
Add an MLS Disclosure — an example of a disclosure that can be added would be something along the lines of “subject to seller finding suitable housing.”
Please take a few moments to complete a seller questionnaire before scheduling a Seller Strategy Session . I look forward to meeting you!
RESOURCES FOR SELLING
ENTER YOUR ADDRESS BELOW FOR YOUR NO-COST HOME VALUATION!