Seller’s Guide
Why Highlands-Cashiers | Christie’s
• Harnessing the global power of the iconic Christie’s brand Christie’s International Real Estate Highlands-Cashiers leverages an unrivaled agent and marketing network to serve one of North Carolina’s most alluring settings
• We believe luxury is a service, not a price point, and strive to offer it on every listing
• Our agents are dedicated to providing maximum exposure and exceptional results
• Innovation and Creativity
• Two-time, Christie’s Global Affiliate of the Year - 2017 | 2022
• Multiple regional social media feeds to offer additional exposure
• In-house, award-winning marketing team to create unparalleled marketing
Selling Your Home in North Carolina
• Discuss Agency Compensation and time frame
• Discuss the pricing strategy to determine an optimal and competitive price in today’s market. Agent should provide a Comparative Market Analysis to assist in this discussion.
• Agent to prepare the listing agreement paperwork
• Agent to provide professional measurements of the home
• Agent to set up a staging consultation for maximum appeal
• Agent to provide and schedule professional photography and videography
• Work with the agent to create a features and upgrades sheet
• Gather all invoices for work that has been done on the home
• Gather all warranty paperwork
• Find the most recent copy of the property survey, or consider getting an updated one
• For waterfront properties, your agent will need a copy of your pier permit. If you do not have one, your agent can assist you with the proper steps to attain one.
• Gather current or most up-to-date HOA contact information and additional documents
• Work with the agent to prepare a utility and vendor list
• Note what personal property will convey with the home
• Secure any valuables in preparation for showings and tours
• Agent to input data into MLS and enhance on syndicated websites
Firm Exclusives & Coming Soons
• Firm Exclusives
- Allows seller to gauge interest in the home without starting Days on Market
- Creates a sense of exclusivity and private access
- Generally doesn’t involve much negotiating
- Seller signs listing agreement to privately market to other IJ Agents only
• Coming Soon in MLS
- Grants additional exposure for the listing
- Allows seller time to finialize staging and any last minute adjustments
- Builds anticipation and competition for the first day of showings
- Listing becomes publicly visible in MLS and Days on Market begin
Marketing the Listing
• Review the custom marketing plan sent by agent
• Review showing data to set expectations
• Creation of custom listing brochure
• Professional photography and videography
• Agent and Firm to promote the home via firm website, social media, and syndicate websites
• Review possible syndication to various platforms
• Review possible marketing options via magazine insertions
• Potential to feature the listing as a Firm Exclusive
Open Houses and Showings
• Open houses are a great way to promote hype around a new listing and get a flurry of potential buyers in the home.
• Broker open houses provide an opportunity to bring agents through the home and thinking about potential buyers that may have interest
• Prepare the home to be presented in its best light for showings and open houses
• Showing feedback to be provided to seller
Multiple Offers
• Your agent will prepare you on how to best handle multiple offers
• Decide when and if to call for highest and best offers
• A seller does not have to:
- Allow a second chance on an offer or call for “highest and best”
- Disclose that there is a second offer
• If there are multiple offers:
- Agent should compose a document comparing all offers
Offered, Signed, and Accepted
• Listing agent to confirm proof of funds or pre-approval submitted with all offers
• Review terms of the offer-to-purchase contract
• Listing agent to prepare a packet of comps and all info pertinent to the home for the appraiser
Fees Due: Credited to Sales Price
• Due Diligence
- Non-refundable/payable to the seller
- Credit to the buyer’s side at closing
- Fee due within 24 hours of acceptance
• Earnest Money
- Typically made payable to the closing attorney and can be deposited within five days of executed contract
- Refundable up to the end of the Due Diligence Period
- Credit to the buyer’s side at closing
Due Diligence Period
• Buyer can cancel for any reason
• Inspection
- Seller to provide reasonable access to the property so that the buyer can perform their due diligence
- Buyer may submit a repair request, however, repairs are optional to the seller
- If repairs are negotiated they need to be agreed upon before the end of the due diligence period but are not required to be completed until prior to closing
- Due Diligence expiration is at 5 PM on the agreed-upon due diligence expiration date. At the end of this period, buyer has the option to proceed to closing or terminate
- Earnest money may become non-refundable
Final Touches
• Confirm all personal property to convey is left at the home
• Leave garage door openers, extra keys, any home codes, etc
• Schedule Mover
• Clean Property
Closing
• Attend closing in-person or schedule to sign documents in advance
• Review closing documents (ALTA) prior to closing appointment
• Agent to make sure all executed documents are delivered to sellers after closing
• Agent to let sellers know once the deed is recorded
• Agent to deliver property key to the buyer’s agent
