The Seller’s Guide
Selling your home can be an emotional decision. That is why your agent can take the emotion out of it, and focus on the business part of it. Our job is to price the apartment just right so that you maximize your investment and close at an efficient pace. Having an exit strategy when selling your property is vital and executing it successfully the first time around is just as important. There are many moving parts to a sale in New York City that most owners overlook which is why 9 times out of 10 properties are sold by a real estate professional. Please find a complete guide to successfully selling your home in the city below.
STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR BROKER
Selecting a broker that you can trust to get you the highest price for your property, while executing a transaction smoothly is vital. You will work very closely with this person throughout an emotional process, so it is important that your agent is level headed, knowlegdeable, and confident.
STEP 2: PRICE YOUR HOME
Your broker will be able to provide you with all information regarding recent comps in the neighborhood and in your building, current competing listings in the area, and market trends. It is important to understand that in a market where nearly everything sells, only the market itself will determine what your property will actually sell for: that means above or below the asking price. That said, you should always discuss with your broker how quickly you need/want to sell, therefore determining initial price point.
STEP 3: ADVERTISING THE LISTING
All photographs, floor plan and facts about the listing need to be put together by your broker before launching the listing to the public. Once the content is gathered, the listing will be sent out to as many potential buyers as possible through ways of major media outlets, real estate sites, and the local and international brokerage community.
STEP 4: SHOWINGS AND OPEN HOUSES
Show. Show. Show. As much as possible. The more you can allow access to an immaculate apartment, the better chance you have of selling it quicker and at a higher price. If you are demanding a premium price, then it should look and feel like a premium property.
STEP 5: NEGOTIATING AND ACCEPTING AN OFFER
The negotiating techniques and communication skills of your broker will affect the selling price. Also, understanding a potential buyer's financial situation is just as important as their offer number. In the situation of a co-op sale, your broker will also be determine what a prospective buyers chances are in receiving board approval.
STEP 6: EXECUTING THE CONTRACT OF SALE
Once an offer has been accepted, the attorneys will work diligently to iron out all details of the transaction. A deposit usually in the amount of 10% of the purchase price will be put down in the seller's attorney's escrow account.
STEP 7: CONDO OR CO-OP APPROVAL
This is where your agent will work hard with the buyer or buyer's agent to make sure they are approved by the building condo or co-op board. This can take anywhere between 2 weeks to 2 months depending on the board - generally co-ops take longer because of the extensive financial documents and references required, as well as the in-person interview that will take place.
STEP 8: CLOSING
Once the buyer is approved by the board and cleared by the bank, the attorneys and managing agent of the building will coordinate a date and time for closing.