Seller GUIDE BOOK
agent responsibilities Expert Guidance Research the comps in your area complete a comparative market analysis to determine the best list price for the sale of your property Make recommendations on potential repairs and cleaning of your property in order to make your home more attractive to buyers Suggest quality professionals including attorneys handymen and inspectors Guide you in making informed decisions leading to a satisfactory sale Present and respond to all offers in a timely manner Negotiate the best price terms available always keeping your specific needs in mind Responsiveness Act in good faith at all times Adhere to your instructions concerns Return calls emails promptly Closely track dates deadlines Accounting Track receipt of all earnest money deposits Receive and deliver all documents in a timely manner Review final settlement statements Loyalty You are my priority Place your interest above all others Keep your personal information strictly confidential Ensure you are fully informed
easy selling in ten steps 1 DISCOVERY RESEARCH I will tour your home and give my insights on what will help your sale We discuss the process and develop initial marketing strategies 2 LISTING APPOINTMENT We discuss the value of your home review the calendar of expectations sign documents and enter into contract You re ready to list 3 PRE LAUNCH All of our marketing materials are collected From photography to lock boxes on your home I make sure everything is prepared for launch day 4 LAUNCH DAY It s time Your home s profile is posted online A yard sign is placed on your property Any and all marketing materials we ve agreed upon will be rolled out 5 BUYER PROSPECTING Consistent exposure of your home is spread across the marketing platforms All scheduled events are completed until we reach a sales agreement 6 SALES AGREEMENT Once an offer has been made we will review all terms and conditions and respond as needed 7 INSPECTIONS Your buyer will probably hire an inspector to review your home The inspector is likely to recommend repairs or upgrades and we will negotiate on your behalf 8 LOAN COMMITMENT The buyer s loan is underwritten and appraisal is performed All buyer s documentation is verified and we wait for approval 9 CLOSING PREPARATION The lender s requirements have been met and the documents have been ordered Closing has been scheduled I will review the figures and the buyer has a final walk through of your home usually 24 48 hours prior to closing 10 C L O S I N G The last step Documents are signed keys are exchanged and proceeds received You may cancel your utilities and insurance and your yard sign is removed from your property I am there to help after the sale of your home whenever you need me
enhance the aesatphpeetailc prep the exterior Keeping the lawn manicured and watered regularly Trimming hedges weeding flower beds and pruning trees regularly Checking the foundation steps walkways walls and patios for cracks and crumbling Inspecting doors and windows for peeling paint Cleaning and aligning gutters Inspecting and clearing the chimney Repairing and replacing loose or damaged roof shingles Repairing and repainting loose siding and caulking Keeping walks neatly cleared of ice and snow in the winter Adding colorful annuals near the front entrance in spring and summer Re sealing an asphalt driveway Keeping your garage door closed Applying a fresh coat of paint to the front door prep the interior Cleaning every room and removing clutter This alone will make your house appear larger and brighter Hiring a professional cleaning service every few weeks while the house is on the market Removing items from kitchen counters and closets Removing personal photos from the walls and patch the holes where they were removed Re surfacing soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade such as offwhite or beige and applying the same color scheme to carpets and flooring Checking and repairing cracks leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement Repairing holes or damage to plaster wallpaper paint and tiles Replacing broken or cracked window panes molding or other woodwork
one show home ready in hour Make the beds Grab a basket and put personal items of clutter out of sight Make sure the bathroom towels are clean straightened and match Wipe down toilets and put the lids down Wipe down all counter tops and sinks Open all blinds and drapes turn on all the lights in the house Make sure the house temperature is comfortable Make sure the house smells good but don t over do the air freshener Vacuum all carpeted areas sweep all surfaces Clean all mirrors Sweep the front doorway and wipe off the mat
4 FACTORS saleability THAT AFFECT THE OF YOUR HOME Price Point Pricing your home for the current market is important for maximum exposure and ultimately a satisfactory sale Factors that determine a property s value location design amenities competing properties economic conditions Factors that have little or no influence price the seller originally paid amount spent on improvements Market Conditions The real estate market is always fluctuating and as your agent I will be able to discuss the pros and cons of listing during varied market conditions Property Condition The condition of your property will have a lot to do with the selling price and how quickly it will sell If there are repairs needed or if professional staging is required I will be there to assist and offer my guidance and network Market Exposure I will focus will be on what we re able to control market exposure and negotiating offers I want to get the most qualified buyers into your home in the least amount of time and with minimal inconvenience With a comprehensive marketing plan your home will get noticed in any market
informaptrioepn Once your home is on the market it s very important to have information ready to go in case the buyer or lender requests it Below is a list of items that buyers lenders and title companies might request during this phase of selling your home Manuals for appliances Receipts of work done to the home including all major minor renovations All keys and garage door openers Surveys previously done A list of utility providers average costs per month Alarm instructions HOA Communities Check in with the HOA to see if there are any restrictions or policies when listing your condo townhome If you have any known info regarding assessments certification letters or HOA covenants have those available for buyers
negotiating the deal successfully Disclose everything Be proactive to disclose all known defects to buyers avoid legal problems later Remember your priorities but also respect the buyer as this will be their next home they are nervous about the unknowns Ask all of your questions Offers may include complicated terminology which can be clarified for you Respond quickly The mood for the buyer to buy is exactly when the offer is made don t delay Meet halfway if there are disagreements about small expenses split the difference and move on Stay calm even if the situation is tense HAVE YOU FOUND THE RIGHT BUYER Make the deal happen
under contract process OFFER ACCEPTED Now that you ve decided on an offer it s time to start the under contract process There are a few dates and deadlines to be aware of title deadline due diligence inspection appraisal and loan conditions The under contract process can normally take anywhere from 30 60 days INSPECTION One of the most crucial steps in buying a home is performing an inspection The buyers elect to do this if they choose The buyer s agent will set up a day and time that works for you to have the inspector perform a full inspection on your home You will be asked to leave during this time It should take anywhere from 1 4 hours depending on the size of your home After inspection the buyer s agent will send an inspection objection requesting specific repairs or replacements if needed At this time you can decide which items you agree to fix repair or replace if any Remember inspection items that affect health and safety are pertinent APPRAISAL An appraisal will be required by the lender if the buyer is obtaining a loan The appraisal could come in low high or at value I will guide you through the process on the right moves to make if the appraisal comes in low After the appraisal we wait for the loan conditions deadline for the buyer and are that much closer to the closing table
closing 101 THE CLOSING PROCESS FINALIZES THE SALE OF YOUR HOME AND MAKES EVERYTHING OFFICIAL ALSO KNOWN AS SETTLEMENT THE CLOSING IS WHEN YOU GET PAID AND THE BUYER RECEIVES THE DEED TO YOUR HOME A FEW THINGS TO BRING TO CLOSING A valid government issued picture ID House keys Garage door opener s Mailbox and any other spare keys WHAT TO EXPECT The escrow officer will look over the purchase contract and identify what payments are owed and by whom prepare documents for the closing conduct the closing make sure taxes title searches real estate commissions and other closing costs are paid ensure that the buyer s title is recorded and ensure that you receive any money due to you YOUR COST Sellers commonly pay the following at closing Mortgage balance and prepayment penalties if applicable Other claims against your property such as current or past due unpaid property taxes Unpaid special assessments on your property Real estate commission Home warranty if applicable Survey if applicable AFTER CLOSING MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE FOLLOWING FOR TAX PURPOSES Copies of all closing documents All home improvement receipts on the home you sold
BROKER Amel Kates BROKER OWNER contact 337 900 7653 office 337 278 3783 cell Amel Can Sell Real Estate Co amel amelcansell com www amelcansell com profile Amel Kates is one of Acadiana s Top Producing Realtors selling over 100 million dollars of real estate since the start of her career in 2014 She is the Broker and Owner of Amel Can Sell Real Estate Co a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and a Certified Residential Specialist These designations are the hallmark of success amongst Realtors Amel graduated with an honors degree from the University of Exeter in England and has over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing During all these years she has learned how to navigate through the complex processes associated with buying and selling real estate Her goal is to guide you in this complicated time and keep you worry free and wellinformed every step of the way education Broker Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist Certified Residential Specialist Certified New Homes Sales Professional Graduate Realtor Seller Representative Specialist Accredited Buyer Representative Seniors Real Estate Specialist e Pro Certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource awards Top Producer in Acadiana 2019 Top Producer at District South Real Estate 2018 Top Producer at District South Real Estate
About After working for several years as a Realtor in Lafayette for Coldwell Banker Pelican Amel Kates then transferred to District South Real Estate as an Associate Broker With over 10 years of experience with 4 of those being an Associate Broker Amel decided in 2023 to open her own brokerage under the brand name that everyone in Acadiana has come to know and respect Amel Can Sell Real Estate Co AMEL KATES Amel Kates Broker Owner 337 900 7653 office 337 278 3783 cell Amel Can Sell Real Estate Co amel amelcansell com www amelcansell com amelcansell amelcansell visit online www amelcansell com