WHAT HAPPENS NEXT??

Carindale Realty understands that this can be a difficult time for many people. This is because there is a lot to think about and selling your home is not something you do everyday!!

We hope this checklist will help "ease the pain" a little for you.

1. Choose an active and well respected agent in your area with whom you feel comfortable, to guide you through the selling process. Your agent will charge a commission for handling the sale. This is paid when the property has settled, ie - No sale, No commission. This commission is currently charged at the rate of 5% of the first $18,000 + 2.5% of the balance + GST.

2. Decide with your agent the most appropriate listing method for you and your property, ie - Sole Agency, Multilist, Auction, etc.

3. Together with your agent, decide on an appropriate listing price for your home, a preferred time for settlement, the solicitor you will use, etc.

4. If you have made extensions or alterations to your property, you should have council approval. If not, now is the time to approach the council for a Certificate of Compliance.

5. Listen to your agents suggestions on how to make your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers.

6. Decide on which items will be "inclusions" and "exclusions" in the sale and advise your agent. Eg - dishwasher, pool cleaning equipment, curtains that match bedspreads, etc.

7. Decide with your agent the best marketing strategies for your home and you. eg. -sign, brochures, open houses, advertising, etc.

8. Your agent will ring you for inspection appointments (please provide us with a key for when you are not at home) and will contact you with the buyer's comments after each inspection. The security of your home will be paramount in the agent's mind at all times.

9. Be assured your agent will qualify the buyers needs and price limit before inspecting your home so that nobody's time will be wasted - buyers, sellers or agents!

10. At some point an offer will be made from a buyer to purchase your home. Your agent will present this offer to you in writing, on a standard contract signed by the buyer and a deposit will have been organised.

11. Bear in mind your agent is working for you and will try very hard to negotiate a satisfactory outcome for you. You are totally in control, however, because unless the final outcome meets your needs - you don't sign the contract!

12. Copies of the agreed contract will be sent to both the buyer's and the seller's solicitors. Most contracts are conditional upon certain conditions, such as finance, building & pest inspections, etc, and these have a time limit to be satisfied. Once this occurs, the contract is regarded as being "unconditional" and both parties await settlement date.

13. Usually, just before settlement the buyers will want to exercise their right to have a pre-settlement inspection of the home. This is a good time to meet the new owners and to explain how everything works eg, pool, watering system, etc.

14. At settlement, solicitors & representatives of the financiers meet and exchange documents and money, hence, ownership. It is not necessary for you to be present. Your solicitor will advise the time for settlement. This is when you leave the property to provide "vacant possession" to the new owners.

15. Your agent will account to you for the balance of deposit monies held in their trust account after deduction of commission and GST on the commission.

16. Please ensure that you leave your home in a condition similar to the way you would like to find the home you are moving into.

17. Don't forget to organise (well in advance) removalists, change of address notices, phone, electricity, gas, disconnection's, cancellation of milk deliveries, etc.

Carindale Realty strive to provide a professional and caring service to sellers. If you have any questions about any matter relating to real estate, don't hesitate to call us, we are here to help you.