Selling Your Western Colorado Area Home?
Why use Andy Lee to represent you in the home selling process?
Experienced: I have years of real estate experience from new home builder sales to resale.
Connected: Full-time agent in the local real estate community with a vast network of buyers and sellers.
Service with Results: Step-by-step assistance, helping you sell your property for the highest possible price and under the best terms.
Knowledgeable: Expert area knowledge. Local resident realtor in Western Colorado
Getting Started
The first time we meet, we will discuss what your selling objectives are. This is a good time to ask questions, and I will give you an idea of what to expect during the selling process. We will discuss preliminary ideas for pricing and house preparations. I will provide you with a complete Comparative Marketing Analysis (CMA) for your property.
You're ready to Sell Your Home
Once you decide you are ready, I will review and sign a standard Listing Agreement. I will also complete all of the mandatory disclosure forms. I will arrange for any necessary inspections.
Preparing Home/Property
Before putting your home on the market, I want to ensure it is most attractive to potential buyers. Knowing how to showcase and accentuate the best features of your home, without incurring unnecessary expense, is at the core of what I do. I will provide you with a detailed Home Preparation Consultation and a Selling Tips Sheet. As we walk through your property, we will discuss minor repairs, curb appeal tips, staging, and making your property feel welcoming to potential buyers. If staging is necessary, I will share some options based on your property.
Determining List Price
Pricing your home competitively, at the start, will create more activity among brokers and buyers and lead to a more successful sale.
Establishing the value and list price for your property involves researching and comparing similar properties and weighing factors including location, condition, amenities, and market conditions. We will arrive at a competitive price aimed at generating strong buyer activity.
Marketing Your Home
Understanding where buyers come from allows me to market your property competitively. Creating excitement in the marketplace through consistent and aggressive marketing efforts and integrating online and offline efforts is key to a successful sale. My maximum exposure marketing plan includes: Comprehensive Internet marketing through our site, Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Yahoo.com and dozens others.
Also, public open houses & brokers tours, yard signage, and property feature sheet; local newspaper ads; sales agent network; and customized property marketing. I will remain in constant communication with you and give you progress reports on showings and all activity.
Processing the Sale & Closing
The complexities of processing transactional documents will be made very easy for you through my continuous guidance and communication. I will review all offers and terms of each offer with you and negotiate on your behalf so that you obtain the highest possible price for your home while limiting your exposure and protecting your bests interests.
Once your home is in escrow I will prepare all seller required disclosures and reports, attend appraisal with recent comparables to support your purchase price, and make sure all contingencies and repair requests are removed in a timely manner per the contract. Communication between us is imperative and I can assure you that you will be informed every step of the way.
Close of Escrow
Congratulations, you have now sold your home! I will provide you with helpful moving hints and also be there to answer any questions. I am always available to help you should a question arise after the close of escrow and I want to ensure that you are 100% satisfied.
Sellers Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a home to sell, you’re probably excited to get the process started. There are many things you need to consider when selling your property, and it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by the task. The good news is we’ve done extensive research about what you need to know about selling your home – and we’ve answered the questions you’re probably wondering:
How will you determine my home’s value?
To determine your home’s value and set a listing price, I will complete a Comparative Market Analysis. The CMA uses recent sales of homes close in geography, age, size, and features to yours. (A CMA is not the same as an appraisal, which a licensed appraiser can perform.)
Is it a good idea to start high?
Many sellers like the idea of “starting high” to see if they get higher offers, but this strategy isn’t usually practical. First, buyers may not see your listing if they use a price filter set to what they expect prices in the area to run. Second, you run the risk of the appraisal coming in lower than your contract price, which will require your contract to be renegotiated or canceled. Third, if your listing price puts your home higher than your neighborhood value, your home will likely sit on the market longer as buyers wait for you to make a reduction. It’s best to set a realistic listing price that will bring you buyers quickly. My goal is always to get you the highest possible price in the shortest amount of time.
What percentage of the listing price can I expect to get?
The list-to-sell ratio is determined by dividing the selling price by the listing price. The ratio is largely market-driven. In a sellers’ market, which is when inventory is low, sellers may get close to 100% or over 100% if the home sells above list price. In a market with a large inventory of homes, a buyers’ market, buyers have more negotiating power, so the list-to-sell ratio may be closer to 90%. My goal is to get you as close to a 100% list-to-sell ratio as the market will bear.
How soon can I get my home on MLS?
Once we agree to work together, I will begin entering your home information on the MLS system. I will also schedule a time for a professional photographer to take photos of the property. As soon as all the information and pictures are uploaded items, your listing can go live on MLS.
What do I need to do to get ready to list?
For your part, it’s a good idea to begin cleaning out or organizing storage spaces, closets, and drawers and putting away some of your décor or belongings. You may also want to have the exterior pressure washed, and the landscaping cleaned up. We can talk further about specific things that will help your home show better.
How will showings be conducted?
You and I will agree on the terms you are comfortable with for showings. We want to make the home accessible to buyers without too much disruption to your personal life. We can use a showing schedule, and unless we agree otherwise, I will notify you in advance of showing requests. We typically use electronic lockboxes that only active members of our local Realtors association can access. We can set the lockbox on a schedule, if necessary. Any time the lockbox is accessed, I receive a notification.
How will you market my property?
Marketing your listing is of utmost importance. Most buyers find their properties online through MLS (via their agent,) Realtor, Zillow, or other search engines. Listings in our MLS system automatically show up on these sites within a day or two of becoming active. In addition, I share my listings with the agents in my network, on my website, and on my social media. We can discuss additional opportunities such as hosting open houses and marketing within your neighborhood.
How long will it take to find a buyer?
Several factors influence the time it takes to find a buyer. These include the market conditions, price range (higher-priced or luxury homes typically take longer to sell,) location (whether your home is in a desirable neighborhood or a unique location,) and the condition of the home (is move-in ready or in need of renovations?) In a balanced market, most houses, when priced accurately and without significant damage or extenuating circumstances, go under contract within thirty days. Homes sell faster in a seller’s market, while buyers take more time to look when inventory is high.
Will you qualify the buyer?
When an offer is received, I will work with the buyer’s agent to vet the buyer. All offers should be accompanied by either a pre-approval from a mortgage lender or, if paying cash, by verification of funds available to cover the purchase price. Once you accept an offer, the buyer must put down the agreed upon escrow deposit, schedule any inspections as stipulated in the contract, and, if financing is involved, their lender will initiate the loan approval process. I will stay in close contact with the buyer’s agent to make sure due process is followed.
What are the costs involved?
The seller usually pays for the real estate agent fees, which are divided between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent. The seller also pays their share of the property taxes and HOA dues. If the full annual amount has been paid, the buyer will repay their portion back to the seller at closing. Often the seller elects to pay a portion of the buyer’s closing costs to help make the transaction work for the buyer.
Is your commission negotiable?
The commission is not negotiable. Keep in mind that the commission is split between the two sides, and both agents must abide by the structure their brokerage follows. If we were to reduce the commission upfront, buyers’ agents might be less likely to advocate for your property. I will work very hard to represent you honestly with full loyalty and integrity to earn the designated commission. This work is my livelihood, and I often go above and beyond the call of duty to earn my pay and close transactions for my clients.
Will you also represent the buyer?
If I happen to find the buyer for your home, be assured that I am trained and experienced in handling both sides of the transaction fairly. As a professional, I respect the confidentiality and loyalty required in dealing with both parties. On the plus side, communication is easy when I am representing both sides. Working on both sides of the transaction is hard work, but it would not be a problem.
Can I cancel if I find my own buyer?
The listing agreement is a contract between you and me and/or my brokerage. It stipulates the terms for cancellation, which you are encouraged to review. Once we have signed the listing agreement, a prospective buyer that approaches you directly should be redirected to me.
How often will we communicate?
Communication is key to an easy and successful sale. I will keep you appraised of events every step of the way. You are welcome to reach out to me with questions or concerns. When we go over the listing information, we will discuss our preferred means of communication and schedules to make sure we know each other’s availability and boundaries.