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A Step-by-Step First Time Seller's Guide

Putting your home on the market can be a stressful process, especially when you don’t know what to expect. Fortunately, with the help of an experienced team of real estate agents and this easy to follow guide, you can smoothly complete the process. Following these steps will help you prepare so you can get organized and sell your home for the best price possible.

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Step 1: Understand Why You're Selling

What do you want to accomplish with the sale of your home? Do you want to make a certain amount of money that you can put toward a larger or nicer home? Do you need to sell it as soon as possible to facilitate a move to a new city or area? Once you understand your needs, you can better craft your offer. For example, if you need to sell quickly, you might want to price your home lower than if your goal is to make a certain profit margin. Make sure you convey these needs to your team of real estate agents once you choose one so they can adjust your selling price accordingly.

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Step 2: Determine Selling Price

Knowing how to price your home is one of the most important parts of the selling process. When you set a fair price in the beginning, you’ll get the most interest from other real estate agents and prospective buyers. Overpricing your home could lead to reduced interest, and underpricing leads to receiving less than what your home is worth. Working with a team of real estate agent is the best way to determine the right selling price for your home. A team of real estate agent with experience can determine what other comparable homes are selling for, evaluate the current market, and may even suggest a home appraisal.

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Step 3: Start Preparations

If you’ve kept your home in showroom condition since you’ve lived in it, you’re in the minority of homeowners. Once you price your home, it’s time to start getting it ready to be shown to potential buyers. This includes getting rid of clutter, depersonalizing the space so that buyers can envision themselves in the space, making any small repairs, and doing a deep clean to make sure your home is in pristine condition.

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Step 4: Develop a Marketing Strategy

We will develop a marketing strategy that is perfect for advertising your home. This involves listing the home and then driving the right people to that listing through social media campaigns, agent-to-agent referrals, traditional media, or SEO advertising. Our team creates a marketing campaign that aims to get the most possible traffic to your listing in the first three weeks after becoming a client.

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Step 5: Evaluate Offers

Receiving an offer is an exciting part of the process, but it doesn’t mean the journey is over. We will evaluate each offer and make sure the party making the offer is prequalified or pre-approved by a mortgage lender and that their offer is acceptable to you. If the offer is too low, you can make a counter-offer or offer other ways to bridge the gap, such as covering some or all of the closing costs, making repairs, adjusting the move-in date, or leaving some appliances or fixtures for the new buyer.

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Step 6: Accept an Offer

Once we deem the offer is acceptable, we will review the proposed contract to make sure it’s all in order and includes the necessary components such as deposit amount, down payment, financing, inspection rights and repair allowances, contingencies, settlement date, and a list of fees and who will pay them. When both parties have agreed to the term, a final contract will be prepared by your team of real estate agents.

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Step 7: Get Ready to Close

You have accepted an offer and are now very close to the end of your selling journey. But first, you and the buyer must make a list of what needs to be done before closing. In some cases, your home may need to be formally inspected, surveyed, and appraised. In other cases, major or minor repairs will need to be made before the house can close. We will head up efforts to develop and execute this list, get each action item paid for by the correct party, and make sure everything is in order by the closing date. A few days before the closing date, we will call the company closing the transaction to make sure everything is ready to go. If you haven’t done so already, you also need to make arrangements to move out of the home so the new buyer can take possession.

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Step 8: Close

You’ve reached the last step in the seller’s process. When you close on a home you are selling, you are legally transferring ownership of the property to the new buyer. We will meet with the company closing the transaction to sign the final paperwork and go over any issues that have not yet been taken care of. During this time, you can also make plans with your team of real estate agents to handle final details such as canceling utilities, cable, and lawn or trash services, changing the name on accounts that the new owner is retaining and ensuring the new owner has instructions for all appliances that will remain in the home.

Congratulations!

Once you have sold your home, you’re free to take the next step on your journey. Whether this is relocating to a new city, moving into a larger home, or downsizing and enjoying your life as empty-nesters, knowing all your selling responsibilities have been taken care of will help you achieve peace of mind for your new path.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

It was a pleasure working with Mark start to finish. The initial meet-up was filled with questions about budget and what our needs were in a home. Finding the perfect home for us was not only my goal but Mark's as well. I never felt he was going to "sell" me on a home just to make a buck. I was a hot mess most of the process as this was a huge step for my boyfriend and I. Purchasing a home together is a ...

— Manda

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Mark was very helpful in assisting us in finding our new "home" in Florida. Assisted in looking at possibilities before we even relocated to Florida. He considered our desires in a house and didn't take us to view properties that didn't meet these. Consistency followed up with us on ensuring that we received the house we wanted within our budget. Mark was able to find us our house within record time and ...

— Buyer

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

I have worked with numerous real estate agents over the years and there isn't anyone that can come close to the work ethic of Mark Middleton. Once your house is listed with Mark he takes control of all facets of selling your home, I never had to worry about a thing through the whole process from the original listing to the day of closing! He is truly an expert at what he does, there isn't another real es...

— Seller

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

We had the pleasure of working with Mark on a recent sale of our property. The house is very unique and took an outside-the-box approach and Mark went above and beyond. His communication was wonderful and responded to both texts, emails, and calls in a timely manner. He was very honest and helped us very much throughout the process. I highly recommend him and will definitely be working with him in the fu...

— Kj D.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Mark has been helping our family list and eventually sell the house (on the market) we've had since when I was born, 40 years+ and he has walked us through every step of the process with helpful hints on selling, moving, preparing the house. He is knowledgeable, kind, exuberant, and I'd highly recommend him to anyone buying or selling in the state of Florida!

— Buyer & Seller

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Mark is a fantastic real estate agent. We would highly recommend Mark to anyone. Not only does he do everything possible to assist you with your real estate needs, he is always available for other help and advice. To say he goes above and beyond is an understatement. We not only consider Mark our real estate agent but also our friend.

— Shawn

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Choosing Mark to represent us was by far the best decision. Not only did he display unparalleled professionalism, but he was knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and thorough. His honesty and integrity cannot be matched. He guided us through the entire selling and buying process, answering a million questions along the way.

— Mander S.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Mark responded quickly to my request for a real estate professional. He was prompt in meeting with me and planning the marketing and sale of my condo. I had a great offer very quickly. Mark communicates very well and works hard.

— Kiefer C.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Mark is an awesome realtor. He helped me with my purchase of a home and was always responsive and helpful through the entire process. I really appreciate the extra efforts he gave to make it a non-stressful day experience.

— Rhonda H.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Mark was very knowledgeable. He helped my family and I find the perfect home! My wife is very demanding. He must have shown us 20 homes. He was very patient with her ever-changing list of requirements.

— Mondell C.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

As a recent client of Silver Trident Realty, I am more than pleased to share my exceptional experience. From the outset, the professionalism and expertise of the team, particularly Mark, were evident. What stood out most was Mark’s deep understanding of the real estate market, which was crucial in navigating the complexities of my property transaction. Their keen eye for detail and proactive approach mad...

— Collin C.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

We are extremely pleased with the service and care we received from Silver Trident Agency. Their agent, Christina, worked diligently to understand our needs and preferences in the purchase of not one but two investment properties. Christina and the agency stayed with us and walked us through the entire process from the initial offer to the closing. I highly recommend this agency whether looking for a per...

— Penny A.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Our family was able to find our absolute dream home. Christina was our realtor and we will refer her to anyone looking to sell or buy. While we worked one-on-one with Christina, her entire team and everyone she referred us to was a dream to work with. Everyone was honest, patient, and kind. We can't thank Christina and everyone she works with enough!

— Nicole M.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Silver Trident Realty is an amazing brokerage! Professional agents with great leadership! Can’t say enough good things about STR! If you need Real Estate assistance give them a call!

— William O.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Christina Botto was Super awesome to work with. She was instrumental in finding our forever home that met our needs as a family and fit within our budget. I HIGHLY recommend her and the agency she represents.

— Lil J

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Excellent, most trustworthy Brokerage. They operate with integrity, transparency, and honesty unlike anything I’ve seen within this industry. Would recommend Silver Trident above anyone else.

— Amanda R.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Your happiness is their first priority! No pressure sales help and supportive follow thru. They treat you like family even after your closing!

— Melanie L.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Highly recommend Silver Trident for any buying or selling needs you may have! Superior customer service with great attention to detail.

— Megan J.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Christina Botto was an absolute pleasure to work with! So kind, professional, and efficient every step of the way!

— Cheryl L.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

You can’t beat the Silver Trident Realty group. They are an amazing team of professionals who will take care of your needs! A++

— Michelle M.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Very satisfied with the way Christina handled the sale of my home. Very professional. Will use her service again. Thank you.

— Isidro S.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Chris was the best realtor that I have ever worked with. He went out of his way to provide the very best service. I would recommend him to anyone. I was dealing with him on the phone from Virginia and he would always respond quickly to go look at a house for me and give me his opinion of the property. I appreciated his honesty and I trusted his opinion.

— Connie P.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Chris goes above and beyond for his customers and provides excellent customer service. I highly recommend Chris. He was patient as we searched various areas in Pinellas County. He recommended homes that met our criteria. He was always available for questions and always found the answers we needed. Very knowledgeable.

— J. Curran

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Chris was extremely knowledgeable and understanding in our search for a vacation home in a 55+ community in Florida. He immediately responded to us in NC with several homes/locations for sale that would meet our budgetary needs. We so appreciate the time and expeditious handling of our vacation home purchase in Florida. I would highly recommend Chris to my friends, family, or anyone seeking a home in Flo...

— B. Carden

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Dan did a wonderful job selling our home. We had an accepted offer the first weekend and a very smooth experience through closing. Could not recommend him enough! 10/10!

— Payton G.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Dan is very professional and easy to work with through the sale process. He is very knowledgeable and helpful with all the details! I would highly recommend him. His communication throughout the process was great! He really had our best interest at heart.

— Dewy W.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Working with Dan was fantastic. Dan originally knew we were just casually browsing but checked in with me regularly and sent me homes in my range weekly. So when I saw a home I loved and decided to break my lease on a whim I called Dan right away and we saw the house the next day with a bid offered the same night! Dan helped guide us through the process as we were new Florida homebuyers and we made the s...

— J. Sabatino

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

A++++…Dan was amazing!! From the first day, my husband and I started working with him, he was super attentive and extremely quick to answer any questions we had. He was super easy to work with and was extremely knowledgeable about every property he showed us. When it was time to make an offer, Dan really stepped up and negotiated the best deal possible for us. Once we were under contract he still kept in...

— Christine V.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Dan was an amazing realtor. I can’t say we were an easy case to have. With us being out-of-state buyers, we needed a very attentive and honest realtor. Dan was in constant communication with us and was willing to deal with the time difference. I would recommend Dan with no hesitation.

— Jonathan B.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Dan was very informative and courteous from the beginning. He was able to assist my elderly in-laws in getting a fantastic offer for their home. He assisted us in a timely manner with updates and replies to questions. I would highly recommend Dan to assist you in your home sale or if you are buying. No pressure great results.

— P. B.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Erica and her team were great. They helped sell my home fast with multiple offers. Erica and her team were very helpful and always available to answer any questions. If you're in the market for a home or need to sell yours give her a call first.

— Seller

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Kerri is friendly, efficient, and professional. She knows her job extremely well and additionally knows the real estate market, its trends, and its tendencies. During my home selling/buying experience, Kerri was paramount in every aspect. She was always available to answer any questions I had promptly, and the entire process was accomplished with ease. I strongly recommend her.

— Buyer/Seller

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Karen goes above and beyond every expectation I have ever had of a realtor. She is responsive and courteous to every email, call, or text message. She works tirelessly searching for and listening to what I had indicated an interest in and I will definitely recommend her to all of my friends, family, and colleagues. She is an exceptional example of a great Florida realtor!

— Buyer

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Entire staff was very professional and personable. We enjoyed our time with all of them and appreciated how quickly and professionally they responded to any issue that came up. We heartily and unequivocally recommend Mark Middleton and his entire staff.

— Buyer/Seller

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Mike and Lori are by far the most detailed, professional, and friendly realtors I have ever met. Immediate trust was easily established as every question was answered immediately, and every concern addressed. Beyond just financial, they ensure they work with you to understand exactly what you are looking for, and what you need from a new home. I would recommend this team for friends and family.

— Buyer

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

This team, especially Christina Botto, is excellent. This is the second purchase that we have made using Christina Botto from Mark Middleton's team. She is responsive to our needs, is sensitive to what we are looking for, and is timely in letting us know the status of properties that we have chosen to look at. She is extremely conscious of our time and its value, never wasting our time by taking us to pr...

— Buyer

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Kerri was the perfect agent throughout the entire process. Furthermore, she exemplified sincere care, professionalism, immediate communication, and helped us sell our property in two days! We had a perfect experience working with her.

— Seller

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Ben helped my husband and Parker (dog) find our new house in Dunedin, FL that had the perfect yard for us. Ben was great to work with and made this purchase stress-free. We will use Ben again in the future.

— Buyer

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Jeremy referred a client to me in Juneau, Alaska. He has excellent professional-to-professional communication skills and follow through. Throughout the months of house hunting, negotiating the Agreement to Purchase, and ultimately closing on our mutual client's home in Juneau, Alaska -- Jeremey was there every step of the way. If you are considering working with Jeremy, I would highly recommend it!

— Buyer

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Smooth transition from start to finish. Addressed our questions with knowledgeable responses. Quickly answered VM calls. Would recommend Karen and her team of professionals without hesitation.

— Buyer/Seller

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Christina is such an amazing person and realtor. Her knowledge and expertise are second to none. I worked with her for many years and will say that you will not be disappointed!

— Buyer/Seller

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Jeremy was very thorough, getting information from us on what we were looking for in a home. He challenged our thinking at times and as we found out, it was an excellent decision on his part as we moved somewhere we never thought we would move to. (great insight) Jeremy was tactful, professional, and had a great sense of humor. When Jeremy did not know something, he did not hesitate to say so, and then p...

— Buyer

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Karen was more than knowledgeable about her duties as a broker. She always let me know if there was an issue and asked for my input. Florida has many Real Estate Brokers with different levels of skill and work ethics.....she is at the top of the list.

— Buyer/Seller

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Thanks, Mike!! It was a pleasure working with you!!

— Michael W.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

When I purchased my home in 2017 Ben was very informative about the process from start to finish. We looked at several properties and spent time talking about each of the features that made each one unique. This helped make my decision-making process much less emotional and much quicker for a very competitive market!

— Buyer

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