THE HOME SELLER GUIDE

Selling your home is a major milestone, and we’re here to ensure the process is smooth, successful, and stress-free. As full-service REALTORS®, we provide expert guidance and personalized care from start to finish, helping your home stand out in any market.

Your Roadmap to Selling a Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Planning Phase

Initial Consultation with Us (Your Trusted Expert)
Let’s discuss your goals, timeline, and expectations for selling. We will provide an overview of the market and an initial assessment of your home.
Plan Ahead
Identify potential repairs, updates, and decluttering needed. Focus on projects with high ROI, like fresh paint, floors or landscaping, kitchen touch-ups.
Set a Budget for Improvements
We’ll help you line up contractors, yours or ours.
Early Preparation

Declutter and Organize
Start the decluttering process by focusing on one room at a time. You may also consider renting a storage unit to store items that aren’t immediately needed but you’d like to keep.
Tackle Minor Repairs
Address minor issues like leaky faucets, squeaky doors, peeling paint, and light fixtures
Boost Curb Appeal
Tidy up landscaping, power wash siding and walkways, and consider freshening up the front door and porch area.
Pre-Listing Inspection (Optional):
Consider getting a pre-listing inspection to identify any major issues before putting your home on the market.
Key Improvements

Deep Cleaning
Clean carpets, windows, and high traffic areas to refresh your home. Consider hiring a cleaning service to give your home a polished look.
Cosmetic Updates
Add neutral paint, update light fixtures, and make affordable kitchen and bathroom improvements.
Stage Key Areas
We bring in a professional stager who will handle the entire process, from consultation to bringing in the staging materials. This ensures your home is presented in the most appealing way, helping potential buyers see its full potential.
Pre-Launch Prep

Final Decluttering
Tackle remaining clutter and consider off-site storage or carefully organizing items in the garage. Buyers understand you are in the process of moving!
Last Minute Touches
As you near the finish line, take care of any final cleaning and last-minute repairs. A clean, well-maintained home creates a great final impression for potential buyers and helps your property show its best.
Pricing Strategy
We’ll prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and work with you to finalize a competitive price.
Final Prep

Professional Staging, Photography and Marketing
We arrange for high-quality staging, photos, floor-plans and drone footage to showcase your home. First impressions matter and most buyers preview your home online before visiting in person.
Listing Plan
Confirming your home’s list date, open house schedule, showing availability, and marketing strategy.
We Are LIVE

Go Live!
We’ll list your home on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), and they will feed your home out to all the major real estate websites. This will make your property visible to a wide network of real estate agents and potential buyers. We’ll ensure all the details are accurate and the photos are perfectly showcased, giving your home maximum exposure from the moment it hits the market.
Offers and Negotiations
Once you start receiving offers, we’ll be by your side to help you evaluate each one carefully. We’ll look at not just the offer price, but also the terms, contingencies, and other factors that could affect your sale. We’ll guide you through the negotiation process to ensure you get the best possible terms and make informed decisions every step of the way.
Closing Time

Finalize the Sale
When it comes time for inspections, appraisals, and contingencies, we’ll be here to guide you through each step. Together, we’ll handle any issues that arise, negotiate terms as needed, and ensure everything is in order for a smooth closing. You can rely on us to make the process as seamless as possible and help you finalize the sale with ease.
Prepare for Closing
As we approach closing day, it’s time to pack up. Make sure all personal items are removed, and the property is ready for its new owners! We’ll also help you review your final paperwork.
Celebrate Your Sale
Once the papers are signed, the keys are handed over, and the proceeds are received, it's time to celebrate! You can start the next exciting chapter of your journey!

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HOME STAGING

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Pre-Staging Home Preparation Guide

Declutter & Depersonalize

Remove Personal Items
Take down family photos, personal collections, and memorabilia. Pack away items like awards, diplomas, and personalized décor.
Declutter Spaces
Clear countertops, tables, and bookshelves. Our plan will specify which areas to clear and the percentage to reduce. Limit small appliances in the kitchen to only those used daily, such as the microwave, coffee maker, and cooking utensils. Tidy up closets and storage areas—buyers will definitely check them. Aim for a 30% reduction in volume, and if possible, go beyond that!
Minimize Everyday Items
Store away toothbrushes, razors, and personal toiletries. Keep pet supplies, toys, and beds to a minimum. Organize kids’ rooms, play areas, and home offices.
Deep Clean & Refresh

Now that clutter is out of the way, it’s time for a deep clean so your home feels fresh and inviting.
Whole-Home Cleaning Checklist
Dust the ceiling fans, vents, light fixtures, and baseboards. Clean the windows, both inside and out, to let in as much natural light as possible. Vacuum and mop all floors. Wipe down doors, walls, and high-touch surfaces. Scrub the sinks, faucets, and countertops. If you have pets, it may be worth getting the carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned.
Repairs & Cosmetic Touch-Ups

Quick Home Fixes
Patch and repaint any scuffed or marked walls. Replace any burnt-out light bulbs with warm, consistent lighting—look for bulbs with a 2700K temperature, which will be labeled on the packaging. Tighten any loose handles, doorknobs, or cabinet hardware. Fix any leaky faucets and running toilets.
Neutralize and Modernize
There may be an opportunity to enhance your spaces with a fresh coat of paint, and we can discuss those suggestions at our in person consultation. Repaint any bold or dark-colored walls with light, neutral shades. Remove heavy drapes or outdated window treatments. Consider updating old cabinet hardware or light fixtures if needed.
Curb Appeal & Outdoor Spaces

Curb appeal is crucial—first impressions begin right at the driveway!
Enhance the Entryway
Boost the entryway appeal by cleaning or repainting the front door for a refreshed appearance. Add a new doormat and a few simple potted plants. Make sure the house numbers are clearly visible.
Tidy Up Landscaping
Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, and weed the flower beds. Sweep the walkways and power wash any exterior surfaces if necessary. Remove seasonal decorations and any excess outdoor furniture.
Staging Transformation

Once your home is ready, we’ll step in to create a beautifully staged environment aimed at maximizing buyer appeal. Our professional movers and experienced staging teams will handle the installation, which will be scheduled at a time that works best for you, just before the listing photos are taken. We’ll work strictly from the plan you’ve approved.
Staging Plan Provided

Furniture & Layout Optimization
We introduce carefully selected furniture or use your existing pieces to improve space, flow, and functionality.
Textiles & Soft Goods
Fresh, neutral bedding, cozy pillows, stylish throws, and layered rugs to add warmth and comfort.
Artwork & Decorative Accents
Sophisticated wall art, vases, books, and neutral décor to create a polished, inviting atmosphere.
Lighting Enhancements
Table and floor lamps to create a welcoming, cozy ambiance.
Dining & Kitchen Styling
Styled dining tables, fresh greenery, and thoughtful styling to make buyers feel right at home.
Your Role in the Process

Complete the pre-staging checklist as thoroughly as possible. We’ll help with the next steps.
Collaborate with us to assess if any additional cosmetic updates are needed (like paint or minor repairs).
Sit back and let us stage your home to ensure it sells quickly and for top dollar! We are excited to work with you!

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home seller FAQ

The time it takes to sell a house can vary, but once an offer is accepted, the typical closing timeline is around 45-60 days. The speed at which you receive an offer depends on several factors, such as the listing agent's marketing efforts, the home's price, and the overall condition of the real estate market. Ultimately, choosing the right agent is key to ensuring a successful and timely sale.
The best way to price your home is by doing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which compares your home to similar properties that have recently sold in your area. We’ll also factor in the current market conditions to help ensure your home is priced competitively to attract buyers while still maximizing your return.
Staging can make a big difference, in any market. It helps potential buyers visualize themselves in the space and can make your home look more appealing. The best part, at Love Where You Live, we offer professional staging and design on every property we list!
A contingency is a condition that the buyer must fulfill in order to complete the sale, such as securing financing or passing a home inspection. Understanding these conditions is important for sellers, as it helps them decide how flexible they want to be when responding to offers.
When you receive multiple offers, we’ll carefully review each one. It’s not just about price — we’ll also look at contingencies, closing flexibility, and whether the buyer is pre-approved for a mortgage. I’ll guide you through how to handle this situation to get the best possible outcome.
After you accept an offer, we’ll go through a few steps: the buyer will typically conduct an inspection, we’ll negotiate any repairs, the buyer will finalize their financing, and then we’ll schedule the closing. You’ll sign the necessary paperwork, and the title will transfer to the buyer. We’ll be there to guide you through every step!
The right time to sell depends on market conditions, your personal situation, and your goals. If you’re thinking of selling, We’ll provide you with a market analysis to see if it’s a seller’s market, and we can determine if now is a good time for you to list your home.
Typically, yes. On the day of closing, you’ll need to vacate the home and hand over the keys. However, some sellers negotiate a rent-back agreement where you can stay in the home for a few extra days after closing if you need more time to move.
If the buyer can’t secure financing and their offer was contingent on that, the sale could fall through. We’ll discuss backup plans, and we’ll help you re-list the home or negotiate with the buyer for alternative arrangements if needed.
While you can sell your home on your own (FSBO), hiring an agent usually results in a higher sale price and smoother process. We’ll market your home, handle negotiations, and take care of all the paperwork to make sure you have the best experience possible.
The key to getting the most money for your home is hiring the right agent! A skilled agent will have strong negotiation abilities to secure the best price for your property. They'll generate interest in your home through strategic marketing and their broad network of potential buyers. Additionally, a great agent will offer expert advice on how to make your home more attractive to buyers, ensuring it stands out in the market.
Absolutely! It's crucial to ensure that all dates and contracts are properly aligned to protect both your current home and the deposit on your new home. Clear communication between agents and other essential vendors is key to making this process smooth and successful.
We specialize in selling homes in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, but we can connect you with top agents anywhere to help with your real estate needs.

VOCAB to know

The property is actively for sale and on the market. The sellers may have received offers but have not accepted any yet.
A response from the seller to a buyer's offer, usually adjusting the terms or price of the offer.
This property was under contract with another buyer and their contract fell through, so it is active again.
Comparative market analysis or competitive market analysis. A CMA compares the sales price of similar properties in the area to help determine the price of a property.
The fees that the buyer and seller will owe associated with the home-buying process, such as the real estate brokerage commission and title insurance. Most are paid by the buyer, but the seller pays for some.
A provision of the contract that keeps the agreement from being fully legally binding until a certain condition is met. For example, the purchase of a home can be contingent upon the buyer selling their home first.
A document provided by the seller that outlines any known issues or defects with the property. This document is not required in MA, but it is required in NH.
A document provided to the buyer that outlines the final terms of the loan, including the interest rate, closing costs, and other financial details.
When the seller has accepted an offer, but the sale has not yet been completed or closed.

When the appraised value of a home is lower than the agreed-upon price. Buyers may cover the difference with cash, or the seller may agree to lower the price.
For Sale by Owner. Often pronounced "fisbo." The owner of the home has it listed without an agent representation. A Buyer's agent can usually still show the home, as many FSBOs will agree to work agents representing a buyer.
When a seller agrees to pay a portion of the buyer’s closing costs, typically in the form of a credit. This can help sweeten a deal, especially in a buyer’s market.
The Multiple Listing Service. The MLS is used to search for and list properties. They collect, compile and distribute all information about homes listed for sale. Membership isn’t open to the general public, although selected MLS data may be sold to real estate listing websites.
When the same real estate agent represents both the seller and the buyer in the same transaction. While it can simplify the process, sellers should be cautious of potential conflicts of interest.
A sale where the homeowner owes more on their mortgage than the home is worth. The lender agrees to accept less than the full loan balance. This is often a lengthy and complicated process.
The owner has decided to take the listing off the market for an undetermined amount of time. Typically this is because work is being done, or the home is unavailable for showings at the time. It will most likely be back on the market soon.
The difference between the current market value of the home and the outstanding balance on the mortgage. Sellers may use home equity to help purchase a new property or to determine the potential profit from selling.
The listing was withdrawn from the market. This could be for various reasons: The owners may have decided they do not want to sell anymore, or maybe they didn't like the offers they received. If you love the listing, we can still reach out and try.