Welcome

As a home seller, you have a wide range of choices when it comes to  listing your home. Agents who are REALTORS® are a trusted source of  advice and stand ready to help you navigate this complex process and  make the choices that work best for you. 

To discuss the market conditions. The real estate market fluctuates based on supply and demand, interest rates, economic conditions, and other factors.

Work with a Local Realtor® that has intimate knowledge of the market and the resources and tools to effectively market and sell your home. With the Keri Akemi-Hernandez & 707 Real Estate Team, you will trust an experienced team at your side.

• Agents who are REALTORS® are here to help you navigate the process  of selling your home and are ethically obligated to work in your best  interest.
• Compensation for your agent remains fully negotiable, and if your  agent is a REALTOR®, they must abide by the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and  have clear and transparent discussions with you about compensation. When  finding an agent to work with, ask questions about compensation and  discuss what you would like to offer buyers.
• You still have the choice of offering compensation to buyer brokers. You  may consider doing this as a way of marketing your home or making your  listing more attractive to buyers.
• You as the seller can still offer buyer concessions on an MLS (for example, concessions for buyer closing costs).
• Learn more about the NAR regulatory compliance for Home Sellers

Determine if there are tax implications involved in selling your home. It is always best to discuss your home’s sale with a tax professional who can advise you on the tax benefits or consequences of the sale.

Considering another purchase? Relocating? There are many factors to consider when choosing the best time to put a home on the market. If you’re making a purchase, knowing what sale price to expect will often set parameters for your new search.

Consider pre-listing inspections to see the true condition of any property. We recommend a termite inspection, roof inspection, and sometimes a chimney inspection. Your Realtor can assist you in coordinating the inspectors to obtain the reports.

To establish value, your Realtor will likely prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) which will outline the information on recent comparable sales of like kind properties and/or properties in your neighborhood.

You only get one chance to make a first impression. Your first showing will usually be on the internet with the buyers searching online and viewing the photos and property details. Make sure your photographs accurately depict your home and showcase important features.

Make repairs to correctable flaws. This could be something as small as replacing a burnt out light bulb, to paint touch up, to pulling out old landscaping. Ask your realtor before making major renovations.

Buyers will look in your closets and cabinets; make sure these areas are accessible and tidy. Fold towels and linens nicely, box up items that are seasonal or that you are not using. Make your real estate property shine!

This can be a difficult task when you are living in the home and sometimes with children, guests, or pets. Consider the services of a house cleaner periodically during the listing period; your Realtor may be able to assist you in coordinating someone to come in every one to two weeks to keep the home in tip top shape!

Window cleaning falls into the housekeeping category as well. If you are marketing your home outside of the rainy season, have someone thoroughly clean your windows and screens. This is essential for Napa Valley real estate since often, the outdoor spaces are major attractions. 

Maintain the upkeep of your existing landscaping which is very important for buyers; a fresh layer of bark can be an affordable and attractive update, as well as filling in any potted plants with seasonal flowers or drought tolerant plants. Spruce up your patio or driveway with pressure washing if needed. Make your entry inviting with a new door mat.

When showing your home here are a few considerations that people do not always think of:

• Do not cook anything that has a powerful odor
• Do not use the shower immediately prior to a showing, it can leave a musty smell
• Put dishes away and leave sink cleared out
• Put the toilet seats down
• Empty garbage cans (or place in stored area)
• If you have pets, clean up any land mines in the yard and/or the kitty box
• If you do not want a door locked, leave the agents a clearly written note, taped to the door
• If you do not want pets in or out, leave the agents a note
• If you are leaving for the showing, turn on lights and open blinds, turn on music if you wish
• Put your valuables and prescription medications away
• Clear off photos and/or notes on your refrigerator
• Minimize personal photos throughout the home, you want the buyer to see your house and not be distracted by photographs
• If your landscaping is on an automatic timer, do not set it for a time when someone may be showing the house.

If you are considering selling real estate, we would love to chat with you and demonstrate the unique differences in working with Keri Akemi-Hernandez & The 707 Real Estate Team!