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 agent 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.​​​​​​​
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 real estate agent once you choose one so he or she can adjust your selling price accordingly.
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 real estate agent is the best way to determine the right selling price for your home. An agent with experience can determine what other comparable homes are selling for, evaluate the current market, and may even suggest a home appraisal.
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.
I 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. My 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.
Receiving an offer is an exciting part of the process, but it doesn’t mean the journey is over. I 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.
Once I deem the offer is acceptable, I 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 agent.
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. I 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, I 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.
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. I 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 real estate agent 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.
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.
Buying an apartment is one of the most daunting, overwhelming experiences for a person. From deciphering the differences and pros and cons between condo and co-op to attempting to reimagine a preexisting space and how to make it your own. From the MOMENT I started working with Stef, the dark clouds of worry and confusion lifted. When you work with Stef you not only get the most professional, knowledgeable and seasoned expert in real estate but you get a real estate psychologist. She cares so much about her clients and no question is too big/small or silly to ask her. She responds with kindness, personalization and consideration that is unparalleled. Her patience, guidance and humor made something so overwhelming not at all that. She made buying my first home empowering and thrilling and joyful. Consider yourself lucky if you can be a client of Stef Berkin’s. She’s truly magical.
Navigating the real estate market in New York can be a daunting task. However, with Stefani Berkin as our real estate broker, the journey became not only manageable but genuinely enjoyable. Over a two-year span, we toured over 100 apartments with Stefani, a testament to her patience and dedication to her clients. Stefani stands out not just for her extensive knowledge of the market but also for her unwavering commitment to finding the perfect match for her clients. Her professional demeanor, coupled with her warm and friendly disposition, made each viewing an informative and pleasant experience. Thanks to Stefani's expertise and guidance, we are now the proud owners of our dream home. Her understanding of our needs, combined with her keen eye for detail, ensured that we made a decision that we'll cherish for years to come. For anyone looking to embark on their own real estate journey, we highly recommend Stefani Berkin. With her by your side, you're not just getting a broker; you're getting a dedicated partner in your search.
Stefani Berkin is the consummate professional. She is the only realtor that I’ve ever used in Manhattan. My children have relied on her expertise to find a perfect home in Brooklyn. She knows the ins and outs of every street in the city as well as the surrounding areas. She’s honest and realistic and knows what the market will tolerate. Stefani has a great working relationship with other brokers and that makes the negotiations much easier for the client. When I was confused she meticulously explained every detail until I understood the entire transaction. She simplifies the process at every step. She sold my last condominium in one day and found me my present home. She is fierce in the best way and works seven days a week to get the job done. I will never use anybody else. I trust her and trust is essential when selecting a home.
Stefani’s ability to provide clear, concise, and actionable tips reflects her deep knowledge and dedication to helping others navigate the complexities of home ownership.