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Seller's Guide

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.

What our clients say

Testimonials

"Raven and Mona are absolutely great! They helped us buy our dream house. Their advice was on point and they negotiated a great deal for us while keeping us apprised throughout the entire process. They know the SF Peninsula really well, and their understanding of the market translates into knowing how and when to find a good deal. Highly recommend."
"Raven and Mona are absolutely great! They helped us buy our dream house. Their advice was on point and they negotiated a great deal for us while keeping us apprised throughout the entire process. They know the SF Peninsula really well, and their understanding of the market translates into knowing how and when to find a good deal. Highly recommend."
Mike K.
"We recently closed escrow on a cute two-bedroom in SF, and the process could not have gone any smoother with this fantastic mother-and-daughter duo! Mona helped us secure financing, and Raven dealt with all of the contracts, home inspections, lender requests, and coordination of the real estate transaction itself. We could not be happier! Raven is very knowledgeable about the current market and is really aligned with what we were hoping to find in a house. She always made us feel comfortable when voicing our opinions about the houses we saw with her and has this great vision for seeing what a home has the potential to become. Anyone looking to buy a house in the Bay Area can tell you how hard it is to look at a house, fall in love, put an offer in, and get rejected or outbid. When you work with Raven and Mona, you can be sure to find what you are looking for, and know that you are getting the best deal possible! My husband and I still can't believe the amazing price we paid! In all honesty, we owe it to Raven and Mona. We will definitely be recommending them to everyone we know!"
"We recently closed escrow on a cute two-bedroom in SF, and the process could not have gone any smoother with this fantastic mother-and-daughter duo! Mona helped us secure financing, and Raven dealt with all of the contracts, home inspections, lender requests, and coordination of the real estate transaction itself. We could not be happier! Raven is very knowledgeable about the current market and is really aligned with what we were hoping to find in a house. She always made us feel comfortable when voicing our opinions about the houses we saw with her and has this great vision for seeing what a home has the potential to become. Anyone looking to buy a house in the Bay Area can tell you how hard it is to look at a house, fall in love, put an offer in, and get rejected or outbid. When you work with Raven and Mona, you can be sure to find what you are looking for, and know that you are getting the best deal possible! My husband and I still can't believe the amazing price we paid! In all honesty, we owe it to Raven and Mona. We will definitely be recommending them to everyone we know!"
Vicki S.
"From the moment we walked into the house on Los Robles Drive in Burlingame, we knew this was the house we wanted to live in. Then we met Raven! First off we fell in love with her. Her warm and welcoming nature and her knowledge of the house and the neighborhood, schools, parks, etc made us feel comfortable about moving to the area. Mona and Raven have helped us with all of our real estate needs since then. We will be looking to buy next year and we cannot wait to have them find our new home for us! Thanks for everything! We highly recommend Raven and Mona for any real estate needs!"
"From the moment we walked into the house on Los Robles Drive in Burlingame, we knew this was the house we wanted to live in. Then we met Raven! First off we fell in love with her. Her warm and welcoming nature and her knowledge of the house and the neighborhood, schools, parks, etc made us feel comfortable about moving to the area. Mona and Raven have helped us with all of our real estate needs since then. We will be looking to buy next year and we cannot wait to have them find our new home for us! Thanks for everything! We highly recommend Raven and Mona for any real estate needs!"
Tova M.
"Mona and Raven are the dream team! We started looking for our first home and in one month we became homeowners! They listen to your needs and wants and respond to all of your questions. They are so professional and it was a pleasure working with both. Mona helped us with our loan and everything went so smoothly! Raven and Mona were on top of everything. They truly go above and beyond for you! I am truly going to miss them! I highly recommend it!"
"Mona and Raven are the dream team! We started looking for our first home and in one month we became homeowners! They listen to your needs and wants and respond to all of your questions. They are so professional and it was a pleasure working with both. Mona helped us with our loan and everything went so smoothly! Raven and Mona were on top of everything. They truly go above and beyond for you! I am truly going to miss them! I highly recommend it!"
Buyer
"I am grateful to have Raven as our Real Estate agent! She worked with my husband and I to sell our property, and we were ecstatic with the outcome. She was very involved and present in all aspects from final touches on remodeling, discussing strategy, staging, and marketing, and finally did a phenomenal job negotiating and closing the deal beyond our expectations. I would work with her again and again in the future. She truly cares which makes all the difference."
"I am grateful to have Raven as our Real Estate agent! She worked with my husband and I to sell our property, and we were ecstatic with the outcome. She was very involved and present in all aspects from final touches on remodeling, discussing strategy, staging, and marketing, and finally did a phenomenal job negotiating and closing the deal beyond our expectations. I would work with her again and again in the future. She truly cares which makes all the difference."
Nicolette S.
"We agree with other reviewers that Mona and Raven are the dream team! Mona and Raven are total professionals with the highest integrity, and they know how to achieve successful results. We had a commercial property for sale during a challenging market and Mona and Raven did an excellent job of making recommendations on what was needed to market the property. They are very well connected, and with her excellent negotiation skills, Mona was able to quickly secure a successful transaction. Most importantly, Mona and Raven remained highly dedicated, focused, and responsive throughout every step of the process and with attention to detail. They worked around the clock to navigate through the process with a focus on supporting client needs and achieving results. All of our questions were answered quickly throughout the entire process. Mona and Raven are very genuine people and a pleasure to work with. We have never worked with a more responsive team. It is with the greatest pleasure that we would highly recommend Mona and Raven of the Novo Real Estate Group."
"We agree with other reviewers that Mona and Raven are the dream team! Mona and Raven are total professionals with the highest integrity, and they know how to achieve successful results. We had a commercial property for sale during a challenging market and Mona and Raven did an excellent job of making recommendations on what was needed to market the property. They are very well connected, and with her excellent negotiation skills, Mona was able to quickly secure a successful transaction. Most importantly, Mona and Raven remained highly dedicated, focused, and responsive throughout every step of the process and with attention to detail. They worked around the clock to navigate through the process with a focus on supporting client needs and achieving results. All of our questions were answered quickly throughout the entire process. Mona and Raven are very genuine people and a pleasure to work with. We have never worked with a more responsive team. It is with the greatest pleasure that we would highly recommend Mona and Raven of the Novo Real Estate Group."
Patricia M.
"I am eager to spend a few minutes giving my strongest and most enthusiastic recommendation for the services of the Novo Real Estate Group! Mona and Raven assisted my family in the sale of a commercial real estate property which could have had some real complications. It was critical that we move the property in a timely and efficient manner while at the same time securing the best possible buyer or price for the sale! We were told that Mona and Raven are heavily networked, and always have a number of potential buyers “in their back pockets!” Such was the case! They marketed the property expertly and brilliantly! They were in constant communication with the family, keeping us informed every step along the way with extreme attention to detail, mixed uniquely with stress-free and confident demeanors. When a question came up, we would hear back almost immediately. Their skills and experiences were highly evident right from the start. Inevitably, “things” come up in a real estate transaction. With the Novo Real Estate team, any issues are addressed calmly and head-on with expertise and swift resolution. We realized a successful transaction far sooner than expected, and very much to the satisfaction of all parties. At the risk of sounding cliche, I say with honesty that there is only one call to make for any residential or commercial real estate need: Novo Real Estate Group!"
"I am eager to spend a few minutes giving my strongest and most enthusiastic recommendation for the services of the Novo Real Estate Group! Mona and Raven assisted my family in the sale of a commercial real estate property which could have had some real complications. It was critical that we move the property in a timely and efficient manner while at the same time securing the best possible buyer or price for the sale! We were told that Mona and Raven are heavily networked, and always have a number of potential buyers “in their back pockets!” Such was the case! They marketed the property expertly and brilliantly! They were in constant communication with the family, keeping us informed every step along the way with extreme attention to detail, mixed uniquely with stress-free and confident demeanors. When a question came up, we would hear back almost immediately. Their skills and experiences were highly evident right from the start. Inevitably, “things” come up in a real estate transaction. With the Novo Real Estate team, any issues are addressed calmly and head-on with expertise and swift resolution. We realized a successful transaction far sooner than expected, and very much to the satisfaction of all parties. At the risk of sounding cliche, I say with honesty that there is only one call to make for any residential or commercial real estate need: Novo Real Estate Group!"
Seller
"My husband and I worked primarily with Raven, but we did work briefly with Mona on a couple of items. As a team, the Novo Real Estate Group was knowledgeable, transparent, efficient, and above all friendly! As homebuyers new to California, Raven (and Mona) made the whole process run smoothly by quickly and thoroughly responding to our questions and providing updates where needed. We would recommend them to anyone and work with them again in a heartbeat!"
"My husband and I worked primarily with Raven, but we did work briefly with Mona on a couple of items. As a team, the Novo Real Estate Group was knowledgeable, transparent, efficient, and above all friendly! As homebuyers new to California, Raven (and Mona) made the whole process run smoothly by quickly and thoroughly responding to our questions and providing updates where needed. We would recommend them to anyone and work with them again in a heartbeat!"
Gail G.
"My fiance and I were overwhelmed with the entire process of buying a house but Raven truly made the entire process seamless. She would not only answer our infinite questions immediately but she also guided us on things we would have never discovered ourselves. We can truly say we found and closed on our dream house thanks to Raven and Novo Real Estate Group! We would absolutely recommend Raven and her team to anyone buying or selling in the Bay Area especially if you're a first-time buyer."
"My fiance and I were overwhelmed with the entire process of buying a house but Raven truly made the entire process seamless. She would not only answer our infinite questions immediately but she also guided us on things we would have never discovered ourselves. We can truly say we found and closed on our dream house thanks to Raven and Novo Real Estate Group! We would absolutely recommend Raven and her team to anyone buying or selling in the Bay Area especially if you're a first-time buyer."
Ramzi R.
"Raven cuts through the stress of today's real estate market, offering a smooth buying experience for first-timers and veterans alike. Her professionalism, reliability, transparency, and genuine care, combined with clear communication, make her an invaluable asset. She helped me navigate complexities to find the perfect home that fit my budget and needs. As a complete newbie, I had no idea what to look for in a house. Raven patiently educated me on everything from inspections to property values. She wasn't just pushing a sale; she genuinely cared that I found the right place and worked tirelessly to get me the best deal possible. Communication was crystal clear. She explained every step, patiently answered all my questions, and kept me informed throughout the process. Raven is reliable and responsive, and you'll never be left wondering what's going on. She will help you stay on track and get things done quickly. In addition, she provided me with a network of reliable resources, taking a huge weight off my shoulders. Raven helped me weigh options and make informed decisions with confidence, making a potentially stressful experience enjoyable and empowering. She's the ultimate real estate professional, and I can't recommend her highly enough!"
"Raven cuts through the stress of today's real estate market, offering a smooth buying experience for first-timers and veterans alike. Her professionalism, reliability, transparency, and genuine care, combined with clear communication, make her an invaluable asset. She helped me navigate complexities to find the perfect home that fit my budget and needs. As a complete newbie, I had no idea what to look for in a house. Raven patiently educated me on everything from inspections to property values. She wasn't just pushing a sale; she genuinely cared that I found the right place and worked tirelessly to get me the best deal possible. Communication was crystal clear. She explained every step, patiently answered all my questions, and kept me informed throughout the process. Raven is reliable and responsive, and you'll never be left wondering what's going on. She will help you stay on track and get things done quickly. In addition, she provided me with a network of reliable resources, taking a huge weight off my shoulders. Raven helped me weigh options and make informed decisions with confidence, making a potentially stressful experience enjoyable and empowering. She's the ultimate real estate professional, and I can't recommend her highly enough!"
Kathy
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