Why is Selling a Home So Hard?
Let's start with a basic selling guide;
When selling a home, please bear in mind the following:
Best Practices for Selling
Make sure your home is clean and in top condition. Display fresh flowers to add warmth to the environment.
Allow your agent to schedule showings at the time of day when your property looks best.
Remove any jittery pets and arrange to be elsewhere when your home is being shown.
If selling a co-op or condominium, obtain rules and regulations from the managing agent.
Obtain documents (offering plan, prospectus, three years' financials, co-op/condo guidelines, etc.) from the managing agent and have them on hand before going to market.
Find out if your building has a “flip tax” or working capital deposit and whether the buyer or seller is responsible for paying it.
You may need to select an experienced real estate attorney to represent your interests.
Bidding and Negotiating
This is how the bidding process typically works:
The bid or offer from a buyer is made in writing through your real estate agent or co-broker, along with the presentation of the buyer's qualifications (pre-approval from a bank)
You may accept or counter the offer as part of a price negotiation.
In the case of multiple bids, you and your agent will execute a strategy to obtain the best price and terms from the most qualified buyer. Frequently, the strategy will involve sealed bids or a deadline for highest and best offers from various bidders.
You will work closely with your agent to identify the offer that best satisfies your needs.
The conclusion of the process will result in agreement upon the price, terms and closing date.
You will want to work with an experienced real estate broker that is licensed in Washington State and a member of the National Association of Realtors or a real estate attorneys to prepare and review the final sales contract.
Going to Contract
Once you have accepted an offer, you will enter the contract stage.
While your real estate broker prepares the contract of sale, the buyer's agent will exercise “due diligence” by asking for certain key papers from you or your managing agent. These typically include:
Seller's Disclosure
Home Inspection
Statement of the building's financial condition-in the case of a condo or co-op
Copies of the CCNR's
The building's by-laws
Proprietary lease or offering plan and amendments-if applicable
With the approval and agreement of the buyer's agent, the contract of sale is signed by the buyer. At the signing, the buyer typically presents a deposit of 1-3% of the sale price. (Exception - VA Buyers)
The contract and deposit are forwarded to your broker, who will obtain your signature.
The buyer's deposit is usually held in an escrow account until the closing date. Normally, any interest earned follows the principal.
Board Approval - Co-Ops / Condos
Your real estate agent presents the buyer with the building's board requirements and application papers, which may include:
Application
Signed financial statements
Tax returns
Bank statements
Brokerage statements
Personal and financial letters of reference
Professional reference letters
Contract of sale
Bank financing documents (if financing)
The buyer's agent will compile the board package and send it to your agent for review. If everything is in order, the package will then be submitted to the building's managing agent, who will distribute copies to the appropriate board members.
Upon review, the board may or may not ask for additional information. A co-op may turn down a buyer. If not, the board will arrange to interview the buyer. Participants should be forewarned that the time lapse between submission of the board package and scheduling of the interview varies greatly from building to building, and from season to season. Generally, condominium buyers are not interviewed. If all goes well, official word of approval will come from the building's managing agent, typically within days of the interview.
Closing
With the approval of all parties, the final step is the closing. Ordinarily, the buyer will ask to perform a final inspection of the property immediately prior to the closing. Barring any terms in the contract to the contrary, all fixtures and appliances that are scheduled to convey should be in good working order at this inspection. The closing usually occurs in the office of a third party escrow officer. The exact date should be flexible to accommodate everyone (you, the buyer, the attorneys, the banks, and the managing agent). It is best to allow for a potential delay of up to 30 days from the closing date specified in the contract.
Estimated Closing Costs for Sellers
Broker - fee varies but ranges from 2.5-4% of the purchase price
Seller's agent - fee varies but ranges from 2-4% of the purchase price
State Excise Tax: 1.5% of sales price
Transfer Tax (if applicable)
Miscellaneous title company fees (if seller has a loan on the property): $450±
Move-out deposit or fees (condo): $1,000 (varies)
Managing agent fees (condo): $500±
Utilities
Property Taxes
HOA fees
Capital Gains Taxes at the end of the year?
These figures are presented as a general guideline only. Actual closings costs will vary for every transaction. Before signing any contract, sellers should have all closing costs explained to them by their attorney or real estate broker.
