Seller Tips

Stouffer Realty understands that you'll have lots of questions, and we're here to provide the resources and guidance to help you navigate the home selling process.

What price can I expect to get for my home?
What can I do to prepare my home for sale?
How will my Stouffer Realty agent market my home?
Negotiating the sales price of your home
How do real estate agents get paid?

What price can I expect to get for my home?
Your Ohio real estate agent can give you up-to-date information a reasonable asking price, based on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms, and condition of competing properties.

What can I do to prepare my home for sale?
Here are some ideas for making a great first impression. preparing home for a sale

How will my Stouffer Realty agent market my home?
The next step is a marketing plan. Often, your agent can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of the property. Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your agent acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc.
Advertising is part of marketing. The choice of media and frequency of advertising depends a lot on the property and specific market.

Overexposure of a property in any media may give a buyer the impression the property is distressed or the seller is desperate. Your real estate agent will know when, where and how to advertise your property.
There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The National Association of REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends and family, and personal contacts.

Negotiating the sales price of your home
The negotiation process deals with much the same issues for both buyers and sellers, as noted above under the buying process. Your agent can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections, and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your agent can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your agent is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

How do real estate agents get paid?
Typically agents receive a fee based on the purchase price of the home, the percentage of which varies from agent to agent. The fee is usually paid by the seller, but this can be part of the negotiation process. Real Estate Agents are independent contractors and receive no other financial benefit other than the sales commission. The commission generally pays for advertising, telephone, and other office business expenses incurred during the sales of the home.