Putting your home on the market can be a stressful process, especially when you don’t know what to expect. Fortunately, with the help of an experienced team of real estate agents and this easy to follow guide, you can smoothly complete the process. Following these steps will help you prepare so you can get organized and sell your home for the best price possible.
Before listing your home, take a moment to define your goals. Are you aiming to free up equity for your next purchase? Hoping to upsize, downsize, or relocate quickly? Whether you are prioritizing profit, timing, or convenience, understanding why you’re selling will help guide your pricing, strategy, and expectations. Once you’re clear on your objectives, communicate them to your real estate team so we can tailor our approach accordingly; whether that means maximizing value, speeding up the timeline, or balancing both.
Pricing your home accurately is one of the most critical steps in the selling process. A well positioned price from the start attracts the most attention from both agents and qualified buyers. Overpricing can lead to fewer showings and a longer time on market, while underpricing could result in leaving money on the table. We will help you assess the value of your home by analyzing recent sales, active competition, and current market trends. This ensures your pricing strategy aligns with both your goals and buyer expectations.
If you’ve kept your home in showroom condition since you’ve lived in it, you’re in the minority of homeowners. Once you price your home, it’s time to start getting it ready to be shown to potential buyers. This includes getting rid of clutter, depersonalizing the space so that buyers can envision themselves in the space, making any small repairs, and doing a deep clean to make sure your home is in pristine condition.
Unless you’ve kept your home in pristine, showroom condition, now is the time to begin getting it market ready. Once pricing is set, the focus shifts to presentation. This includes decluttering, depersonalizing, and creating a clean, neutral space that allows buyers to imagine themselves living there. Small repairs, fresh touches, and a deep clean can go a long way in making a strong first impression. Ultimately maximizing your home’s appeal.
Receiving an offer is a major milestone, but it's just the beginning of the decision making process. We'll review each offer carefully, confirm the buyer’s financing status, and ensure the terms align with your goals. If an offer falls short, there are several ways to bridge the gap; whether through a counteroffer, offering to cover closing costs, adjusting the move in timeline, or including certain appliances or fixtures. Our role is to guide you through the pros and cons of each option so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Once an offer is deemed acceptable, the proposed contract will be reviewed in detail to ensure all necessary terms are in place. This includes the deposit amount, down payment, financing details, inspection rights, repair allowances, contingencies, settlement date, and any applicable fees and who is responsible for them. Once both parties have agreed to the terms, the finalized purchase and sale agreement will be prepared to move the transaction forward.
With an accepted offer in place, you're nearing the finish line, but a few important steps remain. Prior to closing, both parties must address any outstanding items outlined in the contract. This may include inspections, surveys, appraisals, or agreed-upon repairs. We’ll help coordinate and track each task, confirm who is responsible for what, and ensure everything is completed on time. A few days before closing, we’ll confirm final details with the title company to ensure a smooth transaction. If you haven’t already, now is the time to finalize your move out plans so the buyer can take possession as scheduled.
You’ve reached the final step in the selling process. At closing, you will officially transfer ownership of the property to the buyer by signing the necessary legal documents. We will coordinate with the closing company to ensure everything is in order and any outstanding issues are addressed. This is also the time to take care of final details; canceling or transferring utilities, lawn and trash services, updating service providers, and leaving behind any appliance instructions or keys the buyer will need. Once complete, the sale is finalized and your chapter with the home is officially closed.
Once you have sold your home, you’re free to take the next step on your journey. Whether this is relocating to a new city, moving into a larger home, or downsizing and enjoying your life as empty-nesters, knowing all your selling responsibilities have been taken care of will help you achieve peace of mind for your new path.
From the first consultation to closing, our unified approach ensures every step is optimized for your success in the Portland, ME market.
