You’ve picked a Realtor (us!). Congratulations! Now what?
Now that you’ve selected your Realtor (yay!), it’s time to prepare your home for the market. Here’s what we’ll need to do:
More Paperwork
Selling a home in New York City involves a fair amount of paperwork.
Top 10 List
Create a “Top 10 List” of the reasons you love living in your home. We want these to be the unique, intangible reasons that only you know—things that can’t be immediately obvious to buyers. For example, maybe it’s the serene views from your apartment overlooking Central Park, the convenience of being just steps from a subway station, or your favorite local café that’s open 24 hours a day. Avoid listing obvious features like a newly renovated kitchen. We’ll use this list in our marketing materials to highlight the special aspects of your property.
Set a Listing Date
Let us know when you want your home to go live on the MLS. We need about one week’s notice to prepare everything before your property hits the market. Before it goes live, you’ll need to declutter, address any necessary repairs, and either clean your home yourself or hire a professional cleaning service. If your home won’t be going on the market within 48 hours, we’ll need you to fill out an Exempt MLS agreement, which allows us to list your property at a later time. Without this form, you may incur a fine of $1,000.
Update Your Privacy Settings
Update your privacy settings on social media platforms like Facebook. We don’t want potential buyers to search for information about you online and discover personal details that could hurt your negotiating power. For instance, learning that you just got a big promotion, are relocating across the country, or are moving because you’re having a baby might affect their offer. Make sure your posts and photos are private and visible only to friends. While it’s fine to mention on Facebook that you’re selling, avoid sharing why.
Next Steps
Once you’ve completed the above tasks, let us know and we’ll send you the next steps in getting your home ready to sell.