All You Need To Know
From Start to Finish!
01 | Seller Consultation
A seller consultation is a strategic meeting designed to set the stage for a successful home sale. During this session, we review the key contracts involved so you know exactly what to expect and can move forward with confidence. We also break down pricing strategies tailored to your home and market conditions to help you maintain leverage and attract strong, qualified buyers. The goal is to create demand, generate competitive offers, and maximize your bottom line. This is your opportunity to ask questions, get clear on the process, and align on a game plan that supports your goals. It’s about strategy, clarity, and making sure you’re positioned to win from day one.
02 | Scheduling Photos
Professional photos—and ideally a video—are absolutely crucial when listing your home. First impressions happen online, and high-quality visuals are what capture a buyer’s attention and get them to schedule a showing. Poor lighting, bad angles, or low-resolution images can turn buyers off before they even step foot inside. A video can further elevate interest by showcasing the layout, flow, and emotional feel of the home. We also create a custom listing website that features all the property details, media, and neighborhood info in one place. To maximize exposure, it’s best to schedule photos and video at least 48 hours before going live—this ensures all marketing is ready to launch the moment your listing hits the market.
03 | Scheduling Staging (Optional)
Staging—whether physical or virtual—can have a significant impact on how quickly and for how much your home sells. A well-staged home helps buyers emotionally connect with the space, visualize themselves living there, and understand the layout and potential. It highlights the home’s strengths, minimizes distractions, and makes every room feel more inviting and purposeful. Even simple virtual staging can transform a vacant or dated space into something stylish and memorable. According to industry data, staged homes typically sell up to 3 times faster and for 5% to 15% more than unstaged ones. It’s a strategic move that can set your home apart and drive stronger interest, more offers, and ultimately a better final sale price.
04 | Lockbox & Yard Sign
It’s time to install the lockbox and, if you choose, the yard sign. We typically schedule these right after the professional photos are taken—especially if the home is going live within two days. The lockbox securely holds the key so agents can access the home for showings, but if you use the key yourself, it’s crucial to return it immediately. If the key isn’t inside, agents can’t show the home, and you could miss qualified buyers. Yard signs help attract drive-by interest but are optional. If your community doesn’t allow them—or you prefer not to have one—we’ll still ensure your listing is visible and easy to access.
05 | ShowingTime
ShowingTime is the platform we use to coordinate showings with buyers’ agents smoothly and securely. It lets you manage showings based on your preferences—you can choose how to be notified (text, email, or both) and easily accept or decline requests. You can also set in advance how much notice you need before each showing. After every showing, we’ll send you buyers’ feedback through ShowingTime to help gauge interest. If there are specific times or full days when showings aren’t convenient, we can block those off in advance to avoid disruptions. ShowingTime gives you control and flexibility while making it easy for serious buyers to see your home, keeping everything organized so you’re never caught off guard.
06 | Going Live On The Market
It’s time to go live on the market! At this stage, it’s important to keep your home clean, tidy, and ready for showings at all times. Buyers may want to visit on short notice, so having clutter cleared, surfaces wiped, and floors clean makes a great impression. Make sure any personal items or valuables are safely stored away. Also, keep lights on and curtains open to create a bright, welcoming atmosphere. Being flexible with showing times helps attract more potential buyers. Remember, first impressions matter—maintaining a spotless, inviting home can lead to faster offers and a better sale price. We’ll be here to guide you every step of the way.
07 | Showings & Open Houses
Showings and open houses are key ways to get your home in front of potential buyers. Showings are private appointments scheduled for interested buyers to tour your home, often coordinated through platforms like ShowingTime to fit your availability. You can choose how much notice you want before each showing and even block off times or days when showings aren’t convenient. Open houses are public events where multiple buyers can visit during a set time, creating buzz and attracting more interest. Both showings and open houses give buyers a chance to experience your home firsthand, increasing the likelihood of strong offers. Keeping your home clean and ready at all times is essential to make the best impression.
08 | Receiving Offers
Receiving offers—especially multiple—is one of the most exciting and important steps in selling your home. But it’s also when strategy and clarity matter most. We’ll break down each offer in plain language, comparing price, contingencies, timelines, and financing so you know exactly how much you’ll net after fees and closing costs. We vet every buyer to ensure they’re qualified and serious, minimizing risk and delays. If multiple offers come in, we’ll guide you through proven strategies to create leverage—whether that means countering, requesting best and final, or selecting the strongest terms. Our goal is to help you feel confident, informed, and empowered to choose the offer that best meets your goals.
09 | Accepting An Offer
Getting an offer—or better, multiple offers—on your home is an exciting and important milestone. Based on the information we provided, you’ve confidently chosen the offer that provides the best combination of price, terms, and certainty. We carefully reviewed each offer with you, breaking down contingencies, buyer qualifications, timelines, and potential risks so you fully understand what each means for your bottom line. We also calculated your estimated net proceeds after fees and costs to guide your decision. This wasn’t just about the highest number—it was about choosing what aligned best with your goals. Now that the offer is accepted, we’ll guide you through the next steps for a smooth closing.
10 | Initial Title Documents
The title company will now step in to begin their part of the process. They’ll send you the initial title documents to review and sign—these may include a welcome packet, wire instructions (always verify by phone!), and details about the closing process. You’ll also receive a welcome email introducing their team and explaining their role in preparing for closing. This is an important step because it starts the behind-the-scenes work to ensure the property’s title is clear and ready to be legally transferred to the buyer. We’ll be here to guide you through every step to make sure everything goes smoothly.
11 | Buyers' EMD - Earnest Money
The Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) is a key part of the buyer’s commitment, showing you they’re serious about purchasing your home. Once an offer is accepted, buyers typically have about 4 days to submit this deposit, usually around 1–2% of the sale price. The EMD is held by the title company or brokerage and is credited toward the buyer’s closing costs. This deposit protects you by reducing the risk of the buyer backing out without cause and adds weight to their offer. We’ll confirm when the EMD is received and keep you informed throughout the process, ensuring transparency and confidence as we move toward closing.
12 | Buyers' Inspections
The buyer’s inspection is a crucial step—and sometimes it can get tricky depending on what the inspector finds. Many sellers worry, but most of our clients aren’t scared because we have proven strategies to handle it smoothly. It’s important to give the buyer space during the inspection and avoid being in the house. The buyer’s agent and a licensed inspector will be there to handle everything, so there’s nothing to worry about. The best case is that the inspection goes well with no major issues. If problems arise, we negotiate repairs or credits fairly to protect your interests without risking the sale. We guide you every step to keep control and confidence until closing.
13 | ROC - Removal Of Contingencies
The Removal of Contingencies (ROC) is when the buyer formally commits to moving forward by removing their inspection contingencies. After their inspections, they have up to three days to decide: either accept the property as-is or ask for repairs or credits based on what was found. We’ll help them review the reports and negotiate fairly before that deadline. Once the contingencies are removed, the contract moves closer to closing and you can feel more confident the buyer is fully committed. This is a big milestone that keeps everything on track and helps ensure a smooth transaction from here on out.
14 | Appraisal
An appraisal is a professional evaluation of your home’s value done by a licensed appraiser, usually ordered by the buyer’s lender. Its purpose is to confirm the price matches the fair market value for the lender’s protection. The appraiser inspects your home, compares it to similar properties nearby, and reviews market trends before delivering a report. We’ll meet the appraiser on your behalf to provide all necessary information and answer questions to help justify the price you and the buyer agreed upon. Without a solid strategy, you might have to reduce the price to match the appraisal or consider going back on the market. We’ll guide you through the best next steps to keep the sale on track.
15 | Buyers' Final Walkthrough
The final walkthrough typically happens 1–3 days before closing and gives the buyer a last look at the home. It’s their chance to confirm everything is in the same condition as when they made the offer, that any agreed-upon repairs have been completed, and that the property is clean and free of your belongings. Don’t worry—we’ll help make sure everything is ready ahead of time so the walkthrough goes smoothly. We’ll also be available in case any last-minute questions come up. This step helps avoid surprises at the closing table and gives the buyer peace of mind before finalizing the purchase. It’s the last box to check before handing over the keys.
16 | CTC - Clear To Close
17 | Closing Documents
As we approach closing, the title company will prepare all the necessary documents for you to review and sign. You may receive them electronically or be scheduled for an in-person signing, depending on the title company’s process. These documents include the settlement statement, deed, and other items needed to officially transfer ownership to the buyer. It’s important to review everything carefully, and we’ll be right here to answer any questions and walk you through each step. Once everything is signed, the title company will finalize the transfer and disburse the funds. This is the final stage of the process—and we’ll make sure you feel confident, informed, and fully prepared for closing day.
18 | Keys To The Buyers
Once closing is complete and the sale has officially recorded, we’ll coordinate with the buyer’s agent to hand over the keys. This may happen at the closing table or shortly after confirmation of recording. Once the buyer has received the keys and taken possession, we’ll schedule the removal of the yard sign and lockbox—typically within 24 hours. If you have any extra keys, garage remotes, or access codes, we’ll help collect those ahead of time to ensure a smooth handoff. This is the final step in the process and officially wraps up your home sale. Congratulations—you’ve successfully closed, and everything is now complete!
19 | Getting The Money!
This is the most exciting part—you’re officially closed, and that means you’re about to receive the proceeds from the sale of your home! Once everything is signed and the transaction has recorded, the title company will process the funds and disburse them according to your instructions, usually by wire transfer or check. This marks the successful end of your sale and the final reward for all your effort, planning, and patience. You did it—congratulations! We’re so glad we could guide you through this journey and help you reach the finish line. Whether you're moving on to your next home or just celebrating this win, this is your moment. Well done!