Selling a home is rarely simple--and selling a senior's home can add additional considerations and complexity. Your SRES® can modify some aspects of their marketing efforts to meet the individual needs of senior homeowners. Here are the essential steps you can expect during the process, after listing papers are signed:

• Pricing considerations
• Staging your home
• Showing your home
• Negotiating the sale and closing
• Packing and moving

Pricing considerations
Your SRES® can offer guidance on the difficult task of finding an appropriate market price for your home. The process involves several steps: analyzing your home, comparing it to the local market, and taking into account an aging parent's special circumstances.

Staging your home
Preparing your home for showing to the public is called staging. The goal is to put the home's best foot forward to prospective buyers. Staging usually takes place before the For Sale sign goes up. Staging involves getting the outside and inside of the home in top shape. Inside, it might involve:

• Hiring a service to do a thorough attic-to-basement cleaning.
• Calling a handyman to do necessary or cosmetic repairs. Does a faucet leak? Does the back door stick? Items like these can leave negative impressions in buyers' minds. It's best to fix them before the home is shown.
• Deciding how each room can look its best. Rooms appear smaller when they contain lots of items. Storing some of a room's contents can create an impression of more space. Your SRES® can share some of the tricks of the trade when it comes to showing your home.

The staging process can be stressful for a senior because it may call for moving and storing treasured objects. Sometimes this can be made easier by family involvement. Is it time for some family heirlooms to be passed on? It's also important to put away valued possessions you don't want handled by prospective buyers. The goal of staging is not only to make the house look as good as it can, but also to protect objects that have special significance.

Showing your home
Showing a home to prospective buyers while the homeowner is present can put a seller in the awkward position of feeling forced to answer a buyer's sensitive questions. For that reason, agents often prefer to have sellers out of the house during showings.
There are two types of showings:

• Open houses, during which the house is open for a few hours to REALTORS® and potential buyers who wish to view it. Your agent is present during any open houses and requires visitors to sign in.
• Individual showings, during which an agent, not necessarily your SRES®, will bring prospective buyers to your home, show them around and discuss your home's features.

An SRES® knows that there are often special considerations in showing a senior's home.
It's not uncommon for buyer's agents to call on short notice for showings. They may want to show the home during times that are convenient for buyers who work, but inconvenient for a senior homeowner.

• If you prefer showings during specific hours, or by appointment only, your agent can place these requirements in the listing.
• If you are incapacitated or cannot leave the home during a showing, your SRES® can also note this in the listing, and can arrange to be present when other agents show the home.
• During an open house, it's important to place prescription drugs and valuables out of sight. Many seniors like to keep their medications visible and arranged in the order they take them. Your SRES® can suggest ways to keep your medications safe, while preserving your system for managing them.

Your SRES® works with your best interests in mind, and will adapt their business practices to meet your needs.

Negotiating the sale and closing
​An offer is made on your home. During slow markets--when sellers outnumber buyers--buyers sometimes come forward with offers well below expectations. How does a homeowner know if the offer is reasonable and serious?

• The offer will be delivered to you by your SRES®, who has dealt with many similar situations in the past. Your agent understands how your local market is now behaving, and can look at factors that will indicate whether the offer you have received should be seriously considered. Remember that the negotiation process almost always requires give and take.
• This is a good time for the family to get together, either in person or on the phone, and discuss the offer. Leaving a sibling out of the discussion can cause more pain down the road. Your SRES® will provide you and your family with unbiased advice, but will always be acting in the best interests of the homeowner.
• Your SRES® will help you determine if a counteroffer should be made, and help guide you through the negotiations.
• Your attorney should review all documents and contracts before accepting an offer and prior to closing.
• After an offer is accepted, but before closing, buyers typically hire a home inspector to examine the condition and structure of the home. The home inspector's report may contain further points to be negotiated, such as the cost of repairs.

At closing you will sign final documents that transfer ownership of your home. Your SRES® will be there to explain the process and documents, as should your attorney. You will receive the proceeds from the sale, minus selling costs. You are now ready to move on.

Packing and moving
Moving from the family home can be overwhelming, especially if you are facing a lifetime of possessions and must make choices about what to bring and what to let go. These decisions can be paralyzing because each possession often triggers a walk down memory lane.
Family members can help a parent sort through possessions, pack and move. But sometimes hiring a third party is the best thing.
Senior moving managers are a new type of service provider, helping attend to the needs of seniors who must downsize when moving. These professionals can:

• Evaluate the contents of your old home and assess space available in the new one.
• Work with a senior to determine how much will fit in the new home.
• Help sort and make decisions about what to keep and what to leave.
• Manage the process of packing and moving, then unpacking and arranging possessions in their new home.

Your SRES® may be able to refer you to a senior moving specialist in your area. You can also look online at www.nasmm.org or call (877) 606-2766.

For families facing the task of packing and moving on their own, think about starting the process well in advance. Set small, achievable daily goals. Establish plans for tackling different rooms. Remember that packing can be emotionally taxing on everyone, so consider ways to break up the work and make it more enjoyable.

Other things to consider:

​In today’s ever-changing Real Estate market, selling your home can be complicated and confusing.  It takes careful planning with a well thought-out strategy.  This not only includes what is the best market price for selling your home, it’s also coordinating all the steps involved in the sale so that the transaction works with your individual needs, with careful consideration to ensure that you are getting the most for your property.  That is why it is important to work with a Real Estate professional that will assist you in the transaction from start to finish, who understands every step it takes to get your property sold.  A licensed Realtor can help you through this with their extensive knowledge of today’s market, real estate contracts, listing your property, marketing tools, the inspections process, negotiations on offers, understanding the buyers financing and the title commitment.

Would you like to receive a free Comparative Market Analysis, a free marketing plan, or just answers to your specific questions?  If so, just fill in the form on our Contact Us page.

Below is a great checklist when selling your home. This is a very helpful list of things to do in order to prepare your home to sell.

Exterior home preparation

• The condition of your home's exterior is most important when it comes to buyer appeal. Touch up trim paint on doors, window frames, fascia, etc.
• If your lawn shows no signs of life, a little fertilizer and some water will do wonders for its color. Mow and edge the lawn frequently until the home is sold.
• Overgrown shrubbery should be cut back to show as much of the exterior as possible.
• A low-cost investment in seasonal flowers or ground cover will add a personal touch.
• Replace missing shutters, gutters, and downspouts and remove any debris.Inspect the roof for necessary repairs and any visible broken shingles or tiles.
• Cracks in the driveway and sidewalks can be easily repaired with ready-mix cement. For excessive stains, there are easy-to-use cleaning agents at your home repair store.
• Stucco water stains can be repaired using a mild bleaching agent.
• Fences should be mended and painted.If the street sweeper does not come every week, make sure the area in front of your curb and driveway are clear of debris. Wash it down with the hose.
• Wash all windows inside and outside.
• All of these suggestions may also apply to your back yard or child's play area.

Interior home preparation

Living area

• Clean your home from top to bottom.
• Put all valuables in a safe place.
• Repair any cracks or holes in walls and touch-up paint.
• Doors should be cleaned and touched-up as well. All torn screens should be repaired or replaced.
• Avoid repainting the entire house unless current colors are very loud or offbeat. White or light pastels are the easiest for new homeowners to work with and they make your rooms look larger.
• Have carpeting and draperies cleaned.Carpeting should be vacuumed throughout the house the day your home is being shown.
• If you have a fireplace, make sure all tile is in good condition, the screen is in good shape, and the hearth is clean.
• Lubricate squeaking doors, windows, and cabinets.
• Put deodorizers in each room and closet.
• Store out-of-season clothes so closets do not look cluttered.
• Pre-pack items, which may clutter your home and make rooms appear smaller.
• A few colorful plants will help liven and add color to the interior.

Kitchen

• The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. Keep the counters clean and clear of appliances. All appliances should be clean and neatly organized. An open appearance with sunlight and green plants here and there will make the room a focal point.
• Never leave dirty dishes in the sink.
• Clean and wax the kitchen floor. If the floor looks old and dull, consider replacing the flooring.
• Clean fans and vent hoods.

Bathroom

• All bathroom appliances should be thoroughly cleaned. Remove stains from sinks, toilets, and bathtubs.
• Replace old caulking around bathtub and sinks.
• Repair or replace leaky faucets.
• Unclog and sanitize drains to remove odors.
• Clean all mirrors.
• Keep all toilet seat lids closed.
• Fresh towels should be in the bathrooms at all times.

Garage

• Have a garage sale to dispose of any unwanted items. Family heirlooms, which you will take with you, should be boxed and stored in the garage until you move.
• Degreasers are available at your local home repair store to remove stains from the garage floor.
• Remove any cobwebs.
• If the basement or attic is a functioning part of the house, make sure the area is clean and in good repair.

​Showing your home

• Dust and vacuum the whole house thoroughly.
• Lightly clean and straighten up living areas.
• Open all drapes and blinds to let in as much light as possible. Turn on lamps and other lights as necessary to brighten each room.
• If you're planning to move around the same time you're selling your home, try to arrange showings while the furniture is still in the house.
• Any household or children's items should be stored away. This includes toys, bikes, skateboards, etc.
• Turn television sets off. Turn on a radio with soft music at low volume.
• While your home is being held open, arrange to spend the time away from the house, especially if you have small children. If this is not possible, go for a walk, visit a neighbor, or keep children quiet when your home is being shown to prospects.
• Keep pets away from potential buyers and keep pet areas clean.
• Your agent may request to serve refreshments. If not, feel free to suggest this.
• Try baking chocolate chip cookies or brownies just before the open house. A pleasant aroma means home to many people.
• Once the open house begins, let your agent do the job.  Do not try to assist unless asked by the agent showing your home.
• If you're trying to sell any household items, do not bring this up, unless you are asked.
• Remember to keep your valuables in a safe place.
• Should a buyer stop by when you're not having an open house, refer all inquires to your agent.
• Feel free to answer questions the buyer might have, but again, refer as much as possible to your agent, as he/she will be able to answer in the most positive manner.
• Save visiting agents' business cards for your agent.
• Write down the date on the back of the visiting agent's business card and indicate if the agent had buyers with them.
• Notify your agent if you'll be out of town and how to contact you.

Request a Moving On Guide

​Are you thinking of selling your home to move to a senior supportive environment? Or perhaps to move in with an adult son or daughter who can help with your needs as you grow older?

Whatever the reason, there may come a time when parents, along with their adult children, consider selling and moving on. Our Moving On Guide is designed to help guide your family through the complex issues and unique situations you may encounter during the process.

To assist you, the SRES® Council created a unique and valuable resource the Moving On Guide. This comprehensive guide walks you through each step in the process and will help you find the next living situation well-suited to your needs. And best of all, it's free! Just complete the form below and submit!