Selling Your Home
A Step-by-Step Guide
Selling a home can be a daunting and complex process, but it doesn’t have to be. With Cass Real Estate, you can sell your home with confidence and ease. Cass Real Estate is a family-owned real estate firm that has been serving Portland and the surrounding areas since 1938. We have the experience, expertise and resources to help you sell your home quickly and for the best price possible. Here are the steps to selling a home with Cass Real Estate:
Step 1: Contact us
The first step to selling your home with Cass Real Estate is to contact us and schedule a free consultation. You can call us at (361) 643-2662 or fill out our online form. We will get back to you as soon as possible and set up a time to meet with you at your convenience.
Step 2: Meet with us
The second step to selling your home with Cass Real Estate is to meet with one of our licensed and experienced real estate agents. We will visit your home and conduct a thorough evaluation of its condition, features and market value. We will also discuss your goals, expectations and timeline for selling your home. We will answer any questions you may have and explain how we can help you achieve your desired outcome.
Step 3: Sign a listing agreement
The third step to selling your home with Cass Real Estate is to sign a listing agreement with us. A listing agreement is a contract that authorizes us to represent you as your seller’s agent and market your home to potential buyers. It also outlines the terms and conditions of our service, such as the commission rate, the listing price, the duration of the agreement and the responsibilities of each party.
Step 4: Prepare your home
The fourth step to selling your home with Cass Real Estate is to prepare your home for sale. This means making any necessary repairs, decluttering, cleaning, staging and enhancing the curb appeal of your home. We will provide you with professional advice and guidance on how to make your home look its best and attract more buyers. We can also connect you with reputable contractors, cleaners, stagers and landscapers who can help you with this process.
Step 5: Market your home
The fifth step to selling your home with Cass Real Estate is to market your home to potential buyers. We will use our proven marketing strategies and tools to showcase your home to the widest possible audience. We will:
- Take high-quality photos and videos of your home
- Create a compelling listing description that highlights your home’s features and benefits
- List your home on multiple online platforms and our own website
- Promote your home on social media, email newsletters, flyers and postcards
- Host open houses and private showings for interested buyers
- Network with other agents and buyers in our extensive database
Step 6: Negotiate offers
The sixth step to selling your home with Cass Real Estate is to negotiate offers from buyers. We will review each offer carefully and present them to you along with our professional opinion and recommendation. We will help you compare the pros and cons of each offer, such as the price, the financing terms, the contingencies and the closing date. We will also help you counteroffer or accept an offer that meets your goals.
Step 7: Handle inspections, appraisals and repairs
The seventh step to selling your home with Cass Real Estate is to handle inspections, appraisals and repairs that may be required by the buyer or their lender. An inspection is a thorough examination of the physical condition and structure of your home by a licensed professional. An appraisal is an estimate of the market value of your home by a licensed appraiser. Both inspections and appraisals are usually paid for by the buyer, unless you agree otherwise.
Depending on the results of the inspection and appraisal, the buyer may request repairs or credits from you or back out of the deal if there are serious issues or discrepancies. We will help you negotiate these requests and coordinate any repairs or concessions that you agree to make.
Step 8: Close on the sale
The eighth and final step to selling your home with Cass Real Estate is to close on the sale. Closing is when you sign all the legal documents that transfer ownership of your home to the buyer and finalize the transaction. Closing typically takes place at a title company’s office or an attorney’s office within 30 to 60 days after you accept an offer.
At closing, you will need to bring:
- A valid photo ID
- A cashier’s check or wire transfer for any fees or charges that you owe
- Any other documents required by your title company or lender
At closing, you will need to:
- Review and sign all the closing documents, such as:
- The deed: This transfers ownership of your home from you to the buyer.
- The bill of sale: This transfers ownership of any personal property items that are included in the sale.
- The settlement statement: This itemizes all the fees and charges involved in closing.
- Pay any remaining fees or charges that you owe
- Receive copies of all signed documents
- Receive proceeds from the sale (minus any fees or charges that are deducted)