The process of selling your home can be overwhelming! There are so many tasks to complete from start to finish, and lots of dates to remember! It’s like a full time job!!
Here are some practical tips to help you through the process
1. Don’t Talk About Your Transaction on Social Media…ever.
Don’t jeopardize your transaction by talking about it in public, which social media certainly is, perhaps more so that you realize. It’s easy for people to share updates with anyone they like, and you never know who might be searching on Facebook, or who is a friend of a friend who sees your chats about sales price, how things are going, your excitement about your new house that you bought, your feelings about the buyers and/or their agent, etc. It’s just too risky and it doesn’t add a thing to your success.
You may be on Facebook constantly but now is not the time to indulge. And you probably want to be reserved with friends and neighbors, too. The time will come when you can brag about how much money you got for your house, or whatever else you wish to share with the world.
2. Check Your Email Regularly and Respond
You must be diligent about checking your email during the transaction – several times a day – so you can respond promptly, sign documents electronically, and keep up with the status of your transaction. And be sure to KEEP ALL EMAILS, inbound and out.
3. Answer Your Phone and Respond to Phone and Text Messages Promptly
(NOTE: if you DO NOT text, let your agent know!)
Be sure to respond promptly so issues are addressed, questions are answered in a timely manner, and so on. Keep all your messages! And if it makes more sense, pick up the phone and call to have a discussion rather than just replying to an email or text.
Here’s another tip – add your agent and other relevant parties to your contacts so when they call you will know who it is and can answer right away. Some people don’t like to answer their phones unless they know who is calling. Not everything that happens in a transaction is urgent, but there can be a lot of time sensitive stuff!
4. Keep Good Notes
When you have conversations with your agent, the escrow person, a title rep or someone else involved with your transaction, it’s a good idea to keep notes so you recall what was said. Not everyone will follow-up with you with an email as documentation so your notes will be helpful. You might also consider sending your own email back to confirm your understanding of what was said. A paper trail is a good thing, even if it’s not your habit.
Along with this how about creating a file, either online or hard copy, whichever suits you. You can keep all sort so stuff there – notes of conversations, receipts, documents you’ve sign, you name it.
5. Ask, Ask, Ask
Be sure to ask lots of questions, even if you think you know the answer. Never be embarrassed about asking questions, even if you’ve already discussed the issue, or think it’s silly or stupid. You may need clarification – ask. You might have forgotten an important task or date – ask. You have a significant vested interest in making this transaction successful, and lack of information can derail things
Keep in mind that not everyone involved in a transaction will check in regularly with you to find out IF you have questions – they may simply assume you are fine if they don’t hear from you. They shouldn’t, but they might, so be proactive, rather than reactive. I would also suggest keeping a list of questions as they come up to make sure you get them answered by the appropriate person
6. Keep a List or Calendar of Important Dates
Every contract has key dates that must be adhered to by sellers and buyers, and you must be aware of these, and follow them. Your agent will likely review these with you, and remind you, but your own list, or marking them on your calendar, say in red ink, or adding reminders to your smartphone with alerts, will help make sure you don’t miss critical dates.
You might also include dates associated with work or repairs you are doing, house cleaning appointments, dates from your movers, and so on.
7. Keep a To Do List
Some people are fanatics about lists, while others feel they will remember everything without writing it down. This is not the time to test your memory skills. Keep a detailed list of things that have to get done, and note any due dates. You will be amazed at the number of items on this list. It will help keep you sane you won’t forget key items, and you will love being able to check things off once completed!
Some home sale transactions are more complex than others, but rest assured there is a ton of stuff to do whenever you are selling. Keeping everything straight, and getting what you have to do done, will be easier if you follow these tips. Keep in mind your sale is on top of your already busy life which may include jobs, pets, kids, volunteer activities, appointments, family time and more.
