
WANT TO SELL?
A STEP-BY-STEP FIRST TIME SELLER'S GUIDE
With our experience and knowledge and easy-to-follow guide, you'll have all the support you need to make the process hassle-free. Trust us to provide the insights and guidance you need to sell your home quickly, at the best possible price & with up to date and thorough communication along the way. That's our goal.

STEP 1: UNDERSTAND WHY YOU'RE SELLING
Whether you're needing more space, moving out of the area, or ready to right-size your home, we know every situation is different- and so is every home. That's why we take the time to understand your goals and create a strategy that fits YOU.
From maximizing your home's value to making the process as smooth (and stress-free) as possible, our job is to help you sell with confidence and move on to what's next.
STEP 2: DETERMINE SELLING PRICE
Pricing your home is part science and part skill.
Knowing the current market environment is critical in order to sell your home for the best possible price, there are several factors to consider:
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Time of Year
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Supply
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Demand
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Condition of Your Home


STEP 3: START PREPARATIONS
If you’ve kept your home in top condition since you’ve lived in it, you’re in the minority of homeowners. Life gets away from us and often home improvements or repairs get put on the back burner. Once you are on the market, your house needs to be 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. You only get one chance at first impressions.
STEP 4: DEVELOP A MARKETING STRATEGY
We will develop a marketing strategy specific to advertising your investment. This involves listing the home on the local/national Multiple Listing Service, and using social media campaigns, agent-to-agent referrals, traditional media, and/or SEO advertising to send potential buyers to your house. we will create marketing campaigns that aim to get the most potential traffic to your listing as quickly as possible. Our job is to have as many potential homebuyers as possible see your home.


STEP 5: EVALUATE OFFERS
Getting an offer is always exciting—but when multiple offers come in, things can get complicated fast. That’s where we step in. Our team will break down each offer to help you understand what it truly means for your goals. We review every detail, confirm that buyers are prequalified or pre-approved, and make sure the terms align with what’s best for you. If an offer comes in too low or includes less-than-ideal contingencies, we’ll guide you through crafting a strong counteroffer, handle the negotiations, and keep you informed every step of the way.
STEP 6: ACCEPT AN OFFER
Once an offer is accepted and negotiations are complete, we’ll review the contract together to make sure everything is clear and in order. That includes confirming details like the deposit amount, down payment, financing terms, inspection rights and repair allowances, contingencies, settlement date, and who’s responsible for each fee.
When both parties agree to the terms, we’ll ensure the final contract is prepared, signed, and ready to move forward smoothly.

READY TO PUT YOUR HOUSE ON THE MARKET?
Consult with our team to ensure your house is priced competitively and well-staged. While there are always three factors to getting a home sold...
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location
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price
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condition
...only two are within your control: price and condition. Of the two, price is more significant. Remember that price will correct bad condition, but condition will never overcome a bad price.


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Content provided by Sara Hopkins Real Estate Team Des Moines Realtor






