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Seller's Guide

Everything you need to know about putting your home on the market, accepting an offer, and closing on your home.

A Step-by-Step First Time Seller's Guide

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.​​​​​​​

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Step 1: Understand Why You're Selling

What do you want to accomplish with the sale of your home? Do you want to make a certain amount of money that you can put toward a larger or nicer home? Do you need to sell it as soon as possible to facilitate a move to a new city or area? Once you understand your needs, you can better craft your offer. For example, if you need to sell quickly, you might want to price your home lower than if your goal is to make a certain profit margin. Make sure you convey these needs to your team of real estate agents once you choose one so they can adjust your selling price accordingly.

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Step 2: Determine Selling Price

Knowing how to price your home is one of the most important parts of the selling process. When you set a fair price in the beginning, you’ll get the most interest from other real estate agents and prospective buyers. Overpricing your home could lead to reduced interest, and underpricing leads to receiving less than what your home is worth. Working with a team of real estate agents is the best way to determine the right selling price for your home. A team of real estate agents with experience can determine what other comparable homes are selling for, evaluate the current market, and may even suggest a home appraisal.

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Step 3: Start Preparations

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.

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Step 4: Develop a Marketing Strategy

We will develop a marketing strategy that is perfect for advertising your home. This involves listing the home and then driving the right people to that listing through social media campaigns, agent-to-agent referrals, traditional media, or SEO advertising. Our team creates a marketing campaign that aims to get the most possible traffic to your listing in the first three weeks after becoming a client.

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Step 5: Evaluate Offers

Receiving an offer is an exciting part of the process, but it doesn’t mean the journey is over. We will evaluate each offer and make sure the party making the offer is prequalified or pre-approved by a mortgage lender and that their offer is acceptable to you. If the offer is too low, you can make a counter-offer or offer other ways to bridge the gap, such as covering some or all of the closing costs, making repairs, adjusting the move-in date, or leaving some appliances or fixtures for the new buyer.

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Step 6: Accept an Offer

Once we deem the offer is acceptable, we will review the proposed contract to make sure it’s all in order and includes the necessary components such as deposit amount, down payment, financing, inspection rights and repair allowances, contingencies, settlement date, and a list of fees and who will pay them. When both parties have agreed to the term, a final contract will be prepared by your team of real estate agents.

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Step 7: Get Ready to Close

You have accepted an offer and are now very close to the end of your selling journey. But first, you and the buyer must make a list of what needs to be done before closing. In some cases, your home may need to be formally inspected, surveyed, and appraised. In other cases, major or minor repairs will need to be made before the house can close. We will head up efforts to develop and execute this list, get each action item paid for by the correct party, and make sure everything is in order by the closing date. A few days before the closing date, we will call the company closing the transaction to make sure everything is ready to go. If you haven’t done so already, you also need to make arrangements to move out of the home so the new buyer can take possession.

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Step 8: Close

You’ve reached the last step in the seller’s process. When you close on a home you are selling, you are legally transferring ownership of the property to the new buyer. We will meet with the company closing the transaction to sign the final paperwork and go over any issues that have not yet been taken care of. During this time, you can also make plans with your team of real estate agents to handle final details such as canceling utilities, cable, and lawn or trash services, changing the name on accounts that the new owner is retaining and ensuring the new owner has instructions for all appliances that will remain in the home.

Congratulations!

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.

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Success Stories

Testimonials

Read what our clients have to say about working with us.

"For thirty-plus years we owned a historic home in downtown Snohomish. We chose Kathie to sell our home because of her reputation in the real estate market and also because of her personal attributes. If you take a look at Kathie's listings you'll see her professionalism, perfectionism, and passion for what she does. She is well versed in regards to the real estate business, she negotiates honestly and fairly, she is an amazing interior designer and stager, she goes the extra mile always, her photographs of our home looked like artwork, and her written description our home read like poetry. We found Kathie to be genuine, humbly confident, sincere, an excellent listener, and a thoughtful communicator. We would choose Kathie to be our realtor again. If you can have Kathie represent you, you will be so very blessed."
"For thirty-plus years we owned a historic home in downtown Snohomish. We chose Kathie to sell our home because of her reputation in the real estate market and also because of her personal attributes. If you take a look at Kathie's listings you'll see her professionalism, perfectionism, and passion for what she does. She is well versed in regards to the real estate business, she negotiates honestly and fairly, she is an amazing interior designer and stager, she goes the extra mile always, her photographs of our home looked like artwork, and her written description our home read like poetry. We found Kathie to be genuine, humbly confident, sincere, an excellent listener, and a thoughtful communicator. We would choose Kathie to be our realtor again. If you can have Kathie represent you, you will be so very blessed."
Happy Snohomish Seller
"Kathie is the best agent we could have had in selling our home. She is a good listener, is knowledgeable about marketing and the process, and pays attention to all the fine (and important) details in selling a house. She guided us through the process and attended to every matter that came up, keeping us in the loop and giving valuable input and advice when needed. And she acted like a true friend during what can be a very stressful event. We felt that she had our best interests in mind, had a very practical approach to the pricing and listing process, and was realistic in the assessment of the listing, showing, and selling sequence. We interviewed several agents and chose Kathie and we were always grateful for her friendship and professional demeanor."
"Kathie is the best agent we could have had in selling our home. She is a good listener, is knowledgeable about marketing and the process, and pays attention to all the fine (and important) details in selling a house. She guided us through the process and attended to every matter that came up, keeping us in the loop and giving valuable input and advice when needed. And she acted like a true friend during what can be a very stressful event. We felt that she had our best interests in mind, had a very practical approach to the pricing and listing process, and was realistic in the assessment of the listing, showing, and selling sequence. We interviewed several agents and chose Kathie and we were always grateful for her friendship and professional demeanor."
Garden City Heirlooms
"Kathie was an amazing realtor to work with in selling our home for 31 years. She was not only professional, she understood the emotional piece of selling a home. We could not ask any more from our home selling experience. From our initial meeting through the final sale, we knew that Kathie Salvadalena was the right choice for our realtor. She listened to our expectations and wishes. Her vast experience in the local market helped us develop a marketing plan. Kathie did her own market analysis to assist us in pricing our home as fair valued and attractive to potential buyers. The professionalism and detail were evident in the marketing brochures, photographs, and property description highlighting our home's beauty and character. She guided us through the whole process efficiently got the house on the market and allowed for a quick sale. Kathie kept us informed during all stages of the process. She was thoughtful, kind, and calm. We would highly recommend her."
"Kathie was an amazing realtor to work with in selling our home for 31 years. She was not only professional, she understood the emotional piece of selling a home. We could not ask any more from our home selling experience. From our initial meeting through the final sale, we knew that Kathie Salvadalena was the right choice for our realtor. She listened to our expectations and wishes. Her vast experience in the local market helped us develop a marketing plan. Kathie did her own market analysis to assist us in pricing our home as fair valued and attractive to potential buyers. The professionalism and detail were evident in the marketing brochures, photographs, and property description highlighting our home's beauty and character. She guided us through the whole process efficiently got the house on the market and allowed for a quick sale. Kathie kept us informed during all stages of the process. She was thoughtful, kind, and calm. We would highly recommend her."
Meg K.
"Kathie is a wonderful person and a great professional real estate agent. She helped us sell our existing home (and buy a new one), both in a challenging market. We would gladly hire her again and certainly recommend her services to anyone who is looking to sell or buy a home in the greater Everett, Lake Stevens, or Snohomish area. She is very attentive to her client's needs and is a great listener and advisor. J and L - longtime Snohomish County residents."
"Kathie is a wonderful person and a great professional real estate agent. She helped us sell our existing home (and buy a new one), both in a challenging market. We would gladly hire her again and certainly recommend her services to anyone who is looking to sell or buy a home in the greater Everett, Lake Stevens, or Snohomish area. She is very attentive to her client's needs and is a great listener and advisor. J and L - longtime Snohomish County residents."
Jim E.
"I was extremely satisfied with Kathie. We contacted her through an agent in California who had worked with her before and recommended her highly. Kathie was so helpful in getting us through the process of selling a home out of state, along with her personal help with everything that needed to be done for a successful sale. She is a very caring person who I would absolutely recommend to anyone who is looking for a responsible, experienced professional who really knows her business."
"I was extremely satisfied with Kathie. We contacted her through an agent in California who had worked with her before and recommended her highly. Kathie was so helpful in getting us through the process of selling a home out of state, along with her personal help with everything that needed to be done for a successful sale. She is a very caring person who I would absolutely recommend to anyone who is looking for a responsible, experienced professional who really knows her business."
Seller
"We live out of state and had to sell an inherited house which was completely overwhelming, Kathie was the best agent possible. She knew the market, was compassionate, and was always on top of things. She took care of everything for us from the beginning to the end with a smile and can get it done attitude. She was wonderful to work with, easy to understand, and communicated well with us along the way. We felt she was always looking out for us and what was best for us. She's a perfect example of the kind of agent you would want professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, and able to get things done. We would absolutely recommend her."
"We live out of state and had to sell an inherited house which was completely overwhelming, Kathie was the best agent possible. She knew the market, was compassionate, and was always on top of things. She took care of everything for us from the beginning to the end with a smile and can get it done attitude. She was wonderful to work with, easy to understand, and communicated well with us along the way. We felt she was always looking out for us and what was best for us. She's a perfect example of the kind of agent you would want professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, and able to get things done. We would absolutely recommend her."
Seller
"If you need a professional and caring Real Estate Broker, I highly recommend Kathie Salvadalena. The first time we met with Kathie, we knew that we wanted her to sell our home. Before she left the meeting, she had pointed out in a very gentle way the things that we were doing wrong with furniture placement, etc. She had given us a timeline and a list of items that needed to be done before we could list our house. We listed on a Thursday and accepted one of the 5 offers on Sunday. Kathie's staging and marketing experience next to our beautiful home made it so easy for us to move forward. Thank you, Kathie!"
"If you need a professional and caring Real Estate Broker, I highly recommend Kathie Salvadalena. The first time we met with Kathie, we knew that we wanted her to sell our home. Before she left the meeting, she had pointed out in a very gentle way the things that we were doing wrong with furniture placement, etc. She had given us a timeline and a list of items that needed to be done before we could list our house. We listed on a Thursday and accepted one of the 5 offers on Sunday. Kathie's staging and marketing experience next to our beautiful home made it so easy for us to move forward. Thank you, Kathie!"
Sandy S.
"Kathie did an outstanding job for us selling our home in Snohomish. She went above and beyond our expectations. She was super responsive when we had questions or concerns, and we would recommend her very highly to any of our personal friends and family. She truly represents the best of the Real Estate world in my opinion."
"Kathie did an outstanding job for us selling our home in Snohomish. She went above and beyond our expectations. She was super responsive when we had questions or concerns, and we would recommend her very highly to any of our personal friends and family. She truly represents the best of the Real Estate world in my opinion."
Lynn C.
"Like many others, real estate purchases aren't a part of my everyday repertoire. Kathie and her team were exceptionally professional in the manner you would expect in any real estate transaction. Her savvy in understanding the market and relating personally to individual clients' needs like mine helped immensely both in the search and also when it came time to offer and negotiate. My situation had particular time crunches that Kathie was able to navigate fluidly and not only got me into a house in the window of opportunity but helped me find the right house. Thanks, Kathie, couldn't have done it without you."
"Like many others, real estate purchases aren't a part of my everyday repertoire. Kathie and her team were exceptionally professional in the manner you would expect in any real estate transaction. Her savvy in understanding the market and relating personally to individual clients' needs like mine helped immensely both in the search and also when it came time to offer and negotiate. My situation had particular time crunches that Kathie was able to navigate fluidly and not only got me into a house in the window of opportunity but helped me find the right house. Thanks, Kathie, couldn't have done it without you."
Ian J.
"My parents made a hard decision to sell our family house they've been in for over 40 years. That house was full of memories of raising their own kids and grandchildren. Kathie went above and beyond having the garden prepared just right with amazing curb appeal. The house had several great amenities and Kathie placed several reminders around the house. Because of her great effort nothing was left unseen at the house. Her style of staging really brought the farmhouse decor vibe my parents originally had. She takes pride in her work by great taste in pictures that are prepared on professionally printed flyers. Thank you Kathie for helping my parents with the hardest decision they made on selling their first home."
"My parents made a hard decision to sell our family house they've been in for over 40 years. That house was full of memories of raising their own kids and grandchildren. Kathie went above and beyond having the garden prepared just right with amazing curb appeal. The house had several great amenities and Kathie placed several reminders around the house. Because of her great effort nothing was left unseen at the house. Her style of staging really brought the farmhouse decor vibe my parents originally had. She takes pride in her work by great taste in pictures that are prepared on professionally printed flyers. Thank you Kathie for helping my parents with the hardest decision they made on selling their first home."
Kaylee S.

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