If you’ve made the decision to sell your property, it’s essential to start with a clear understanding of your motivations and establish a basic timeline for the selling process. To simplify this process and ensure a smooth experience, consider reaching out to The Mardell Group.

With their wealth of expertise in the real estate market, Patti and Autumn can guide you through every step of selling your property. Whether you’re looking to upgrade, downsize, or relocate, they can tailor their approach to meet your unique needs and goals.

To benefit from their exceptional service and expertise, contact The Mardell Group today at (818) 262-3787. Let them help you navigate the selling process with ease and achieve your real estate goals.

WHY SELL?

Why are you looking to sell your property? Are you aiming to upgrade to a larger home, or are you considering a move to a different neighborhood, school district, city, or state? While your reasons may seem straightforward, it’s important to reflect on how each choice will impact your lifestyle, opportunities, and finances. Clearly understanding your motivations will help Patti & Autumn identify the best options to meet your financial, lifestyle, and real estate goals.

When Should I Sell?

You should promptly establish your time frame for selling. If you need to sell quickly, Patti and Autumn can expedite the process by providing a comprehensive market analysis and action plan to achieve all your goals. If there is no immediate urgency to sell, you can sit down with Patti and Autumn to thoroughly review the current market conditions and determine the most favorable time to sell.

What Is The Market Like?

When you work with Patti and Autumn, you can rely on their knowledge, expertise, and negotiation skills to secure the best market prices and terms. They will keep you informed about market trends, as well as the pricing, financing, terms, and conditions of competing properties. With their guidance, you will know exactly how to price your property and when to sell it.

How Do I Optimize My Finances?

Deciding to sell your property requires careful consideration of your current financial situation and future opportunities. With the help of Patti and Autumn, you can effectively assess the cumulative impact of these changes, estimate the potential proceeds from selling your property, and plan effective tax savings and estate planning strategies. They will ensure that you not only take control of your finances but also use them to their fullest potential.

Why Should You Choose The Mardell Group?

You may choose to sell your property independently. However, there are many compelling reasons to have Patti and Autumn assist you in this important undertaking. They will ensure that you maximize your opportunities in the current real estate market.

With Patti’s background in accounting, she brings a wide set of negotiation tools to her real estate career, which she optimizes to get you the highest price for your home. Additionally, Patti and Autumn have developed extensive contact networks through their involvement in numerous national and international organizations, as well as their relationships with current and past clients. They will employ the most effective marketing and advertising strategies for your property and guide you through the complicated paperwork involved, from the initial agreement to the final documents.

 

What To Look For In An Agent.

The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when looking for a listing agent:

1. Education: The most crucial factor in choosing a real estate professional is their education in the industry. Our professionals have advanced training and education, placing them among the top agents globally and earning them prestigious designations in various fields of real estate.
2. Experience and Expertise: Experience and Expertise: You need a full-time agent who is well-acquainted with your area and the type of property you intend to sell. Do they utilize a diverse range of marketing and advertising strategies? How tech-savvy is your agent? How many similar properties have they successfully sold in the past?
3. Availability and Commitment: Your agent should be capable of prompt and decisive action during the selling process. Do they make it a point to keep in constant communication with you? Are they easily reachable in case of emergencies or for simple questions? Are they available on weekends or evenings when most buyers are looking? Patti and Autumn will be there every step of the way!
4. Rapport: Does your agent take the time to listen to your goals and clarify your needs? Do they understand your unique situation and show genuine concern for the outcome? Your listing agent will be your guide and partner in this crucial decision, so it’s important to find one with whom you can build a good rapport.

What Is Your Property Worth?

Without a professional agent, many independent property sellers tend to overestimate the value of their property. This common pitfall can lead to your home sitting on the market for longer than necessary or selling for less than its potential value. To avoid this, consult with experienced real estate listing agents like Patti and Autumn. They can provide you with a comprehensive analysis of comparable sales data and give you an accurate estimate of what your home is likely to sell for. Give Patti and Autumn a call today at (818) 262-3787. With their expertise, you can ensure your property is priced correctly from the start, maximizing your chances of a successful sale.

There are many ways to enhance the appeal of your property and make a lasting impression on potential buyers.

What To Do To Prepare:

The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when listing your property for sale:

1. Enhancing Curb Appeal: Maintaining a pristine landscape and adding creative touches to your yard, like colorful annuals and fresh mulch, can immediately captivate passersby and potential buyers.
2. Property Repairs: Simple upgrades such as repairing windows, polishing door knobs, and applying a fresh coat of paint in high-traffic areas can instantly revitalize your property.
3. Cleanliness and Staging: Ensure your property is uncluttered, smells pleasant, and is well-lit throughout. Attend to details such as storing away pet litter, displaying fresh flowers, and creating an inviting atmosphere. Before listing your home, Patti and Autumn will walk through with you to enhance its presentation. They have extensive contacts in the staging industry and can connect you with professionals who can help elevate the appearance of your property.
4. Disclosures and Inspections: Patti and Autumn are knowledgeable about the legal procedures concerning disclosures and can help craft a comprehensive statement that benefits both you and the buyer. They can also advise on essential home improvement measures, including inspections, to address any potential issues before listing.
5. Showtime: Presenting your property to potential buyers is a task that Patti and Autumn will handle for you. They work with professional photographers and videographers to ensure your property is showcased effectively. Buyers often prefer discussing the property with their agent, and Patti and Autumn will facilitate these conversations. Moreover, they understand which information will be most beneficial in representing your interests when communicating with prospective buyers.

The Price Is Not Always Right.

“The higher the price, the better the offer.” Do not let yourself be fooled by this popular misconception. Price is not always the determining factor when accepting an offer for several important reasons: the initial offer is usually not final, and there are a number of terms and conditions that may influence the final outcome of a price. You can rely on Patti and Autumn to assist you in carefully evaluating each proposal, ensuring that your marketing position remains strong.

Negotiating The Right Way.

Patti and Autumn take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms very seriously. It’s their duty to seek a win-win agreement that benefits all parties involved. You might encounter multiple offers before finalizing the one you deem most suitable, and as your agents, they ensure a comprehensive and objective assessment of each offer to assist you in making the right choice.

The Initial Agreement.

An effective agreement serves as a legally binding arrangement between a potential purchaser and the seller of the property, delineating the terms and conditions of the transaction in detail. This agreement encapsulates the mutual understanding reached between the parties regarding the purchase price, financing terms, contingencies, and other pertinent aspects governing the sale. It is a pivotal document that outlines the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of both the buyer and the seller, serving as a cornerstone for the successful completion of the real estate transaction. Patti and Autumn play a crucial role in facilitating this process. With their expertise in real estate transactions, they guide you through the complexities of the agreement, ensuring you understand its implications. Their goal is to empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions, leading to a mutually beneficial agreement for all parties.

 

Some important tips to keep in mind to streamline the process even further:

 

Keep written records of everything.

To ensure clarity, it’s highly beneficial to document all verbal agreements, including counter-offers and addendums, and convert them into written agreements signed by both parties. Patti and Autumn will assist you in managing all the necessary paperwork for your sale, ensuring you have copies of all documents.

 

Stick to the schedule.

Now that you’ve selected your offer, you and the buyer will receive a timeline to mark each stage in closing the real estate contract. Meeting these requirements on time ensures a smoother negotiation process and prevents any party from breaching their agreements. Throughout this process, Patti and Autumn will keep you consistently updated, ensuring you’re always prepared for the next step.

Inspections and Appraisals

Typically, buyers will arrange for a licensed property inspector to inspect the property within the agreed-upon timeframe outlined in the effective purchase contract. Some buyers may opt for multiple inspectors specializing in different areas, such as roof, HVAC, or structure, to obtain comprehensive professional opinions. In cases where financing is a condition of the agreement, the property will undergo an appraisal by a licensed appraiser, conducted independently as a third party. This appraisal serves to verify the property’s value for the lending institution, ensuring accuracy in their investment.

The Closing Agent.

A closing agent, typically a title company, will be chosen to oversee the closing process. Their responsibility is to thoroughly examine and insure clear title to the real estate. This involves conducting extensive research into the recorded history of your property to certify two key aspects: 1) that your title is free and clear of any encumbrances, such as mortgages, leases, restrictions, or liens, by the closing date, and 2) that all new encumbrances are appropriately included in the title. Patti and Autumn have strong connections with numerous title companies in Los Angeles and can assist you in selecting the most suitable one for your needs.

Contingencies.

A contingency is a condition that must be met before a contract becomes legally binding. For example, a buyer may include a contingency stating that their contract is binding only upon receiving a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified inspector. Sometimes, offers may be contingent upon the buyer selling or closing on their own home. Patti and Autumn will guide you through every step of this process, ensuring you understand each aspect.

Before finalizing the purchase of your property, the buyer thoroughly reviews all aspects of the property as outlined in the purchase agreements and any applicable addendums. This includes obtaining financing and insurance, reviewing pertinent documents such as preliminary title reports and disclosure documents, and conducting property inspections covering various areas like the roof, termite/pest, chimney/fireplace, septic, pool/spa, mold, lead-based paint, HVAC, etc.

Depending on the outcome of these inspections, one of two scenarios may occur:

1. Either each milestone is successfully completed, and the contingencies are removed, bringing the transaction closer to closing, or;
2. The buyer may request renegotiation of the contract terms, typically the price, after reviewing the property and associated documents.

Navigating such situations objectively and fairly while safeguarding your own interests can be challenging. This is where the expertise of a professional listing agent like Patti and Autumn can significantly impact the outcome of the transaction. With their extensive experience in property sales, they guarantee their expertise and unwavering commitment to every customer, regardless of their circumstances.

Loan Approval and Appraisal.

Patti and Autumn recommend prioritizing buyers who present a lender’s pre-approval, approval letter, or written loan commitment, as these provide stronger assurances of loan approval compared to pre-qualification or lack of documentation from a lending institution. Additionally, anticipate an appraiser from the lender’s company to assess your property and confirm that the sales price aligns with market standards.

Closing Day

Once you have come this far, this means that it is almost time for a congratulations, but not yet. Do not forget to tie up these loose ends:

Final Walk-Through Inspection.

Typically considered a formality, the final inspection typically occurs the day before or on the day of the closing. During this time, the buyer, accompanied by their agent, visits the property to ensure everything is in working order. They verify that any requested repairs have been completed, and that the property is in the same or improved condition as when they last viewed it. Additionally, they ensure that no extra items have been left behind.

Cancel Home Services and Utilities.

It is important to have utilities on for the final walk through up till the closing date but don’t forget to call and have the utilities removed out of your name. Usually, the buyer has already arranged for the transfer of utilities into their name(s).

Be Prepared.

Should an unforeseen issue arise, even at this final stage, Patti and Autumn are prepared to assist you.  If something at the property breaks down or the buyers’ loan does not pull through on time, there is no need to worry. Patti and Autumn have encountered these issues before and know how to handle them efficiently and in a stress-free manner.

Closing!

The closing agent will furnish all parties involved with a settlement statement, which summarizes and details the financial transactions enacted in the process. The buyer(s) will sign this statement and then you will sign as well as the closing agent, certifying its accuracy. If you’re unable to attend the scheduled closing, arrangements can be made depending on the circumstances and notice received. You can even arrange to close by mail or sign prior to leaving town (prior to closing). If you are receiving funds from the transaction, you can elect to either have the funds wired electronically to an account at your financial institution, or have a check issued to you at the closing. The seller should arrange to have all property keys and any other important information for the new purchaser at the closing (or left at the home), so that the purchaser may receive these items at this time (or after closing) Congratulations are in order! Patti and Autumn are also available after closing to assist with anything you may need.