A Step-by-Step First Time Seller's Guide
Selling your home is more than just a transaction—it’s a major life moment. Whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, or simply moving on, the process can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. That’s where we come in. With decades of experience in San Francisco Bay Area real estate, The Smith + Aylwin Team brings clarity, strategy, and confidence to every sale. Our step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process, from preparing your home for market, to reviewing offers, to celebrating a successful close. At every stage, you’ll have our top-ranked team by your side. Backed by Compass’ industry-leading tools and global reach, we’ll craft custom marketing plans and pricing strategies tailored specifically for your home and your goals.
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Are you aiming for top dollar to fund your next move or is timing your top priority? Knowing what matters most, whether it is maximizing profit or moving quickly, will shape your pricing strategy. We’ll discuss your goals with you so we can tailor our approach to meet your needs.
Pricing your home correctly from the start is essential. Pricing it too high risks turning buyers away, while pricing it too low could leave money on the table. That is where we come in. Using local data, market insight, and years of experience, we will help you find the perfect price point to attract strong offers.
Now it is time to make your home shine. We will guide you through simple but impactful steps such as decluttering, depersonalizing, tackling small repairs, and giving it a deep clean. These efforts help buyers picture themselves living there. You do not have to do it alone; we will support you every step of the way.
We will craft a custom marketing strategy to showcase your home at its best through social media, agent networks, and targeted advertising. Our goal is to generate maximum buzz and serious interest, especially during those critical first few weeks on the market.
Let’s Make it Simple and Pressure-Free
Getting an offer is exciting. We will help you evaluate each one carefully to ensure that the terms align with your goals.
When an offer meets your goals, we’ll carefully review the contract, including deposit, financing, inspections, contingencies, and closing terms. Once everything is confirmed, we’ll prepare the final agreement so you can move forward with confidence.
With an offer accepted, we will guide you through the final steps, including inspections, repairs, and paperwork. We stay on top of every detail to ensure everything is ready for closing day. This allows you to focus on your move and what comes next.
This is it, time to hand over the keys. We will help you sign the final paperwork and wrap up loose ends, such as canceling services and passing along appliance information. You have made it and are ready for your next chapter.
Once you have sold your home, you’re free to take the next step on your journey. Whether you are 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.
Are You Interested in Buying a Home?
The Smith + Aylwin Team Has the Expertise You Need.