Are you considering selling your home in Sedona, AZ?
The process of buying or selling a house is a complex one. As a homeowner who is planning to put their property on the market, the prospect of gaining a profit is not the only factor to consider.
In this article, I provide a comprehensive guide on the key steps in selling your home in Sedona, AZ, from finding the right real estate professional to closing the deal so you can navigate this real estate journey successfully.
Finding the Right Realtor
First things first — hire an experienced real estate agent.
There are many benefits to listing with a reputable real estate agent in Sedona, from pricing to marketing to negotiating with buyers. A realtor plays an important role in ensuring that you get the best exposure for your home.
Exposure is essential; the more people that know about the property you’re selling, the more likely you’re going to get the highest price for your house.
Credit: Image by Victoria Wylde | Source
Preparing Your Home
The first step in preparing your Sedona, AZ, home for sale is to make the necessary repairs and maintenance.
It is ideal to get a home inspection before listing your home. Addressing issues upfront would give potential buyers peace of mind when making an offer.
Cleaning and decluttering your home before putting it on the market can increase its resale value. It will also be advantageous to stage your home, as doing this will help buyers envision how each space could be used.
Credit: Image by Victoria Wylde | Source
And lastly, consider sprucing up your landscaping, painting the front door an eye-catching color, or having your home’s windows professionally cleaned. This will add curb appeal to your property and attract buyers to your door.
As you will be doing all this without the advice of a real estate agent, you may want to invite your friends and family over and ask for their honest opinion of how the house looks.
Pricing Your Home
Pricing your home is one of the most difficult aspects of the home-selling process.
Fortunately, with today’s technology, there are online home value estimators, called automated valuation models (AVMs), that make it easier to arrive at a reliable figure to start with.
These tools are quite user-friendly, but bear in mind that their algorithms only rely on the information available.
A professional appraiser or real estate agent who can visit your home in person, assess the neighborhood, and perform thorough market research will give you a more accurate fair market value of your property.
Marketing Strategies
Now that your home is in its best condition and you have decided on the optimal pricing, the next step is to create an online listing on your local market’s MLS (Multiple Listing Service).
A local MLS will provide prospective buyers with detailed information about your Sedona home for sale, including features, square footage, and listing price.
Credit: Image by Victoria Wylde | Source
Tips to Attract Your Target Buyers
- Write a compelling description of your home.
- Set an appropriate asking price.
- Include all the basic information about your property: age, square footage, and number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Highlight unique selling points, such as a swimming pool or unique view.
- Add information about the neighborhood and school district.
- Add quality listing photos.
Consider getting professional photos taken for your listings. A professional photographer will be able to capture each room of your home from the best angle and showcase them in their entirety.
Credit: Image by Victoria Wylde | Source
In addition to professional photography, you may also want to add drone photography, video walk-throughs, and floor plan imaging to enhance your listing.
Host Open Houses
Hosting open houses is a great way to get many potential buyers through your front door.
Open houses offer an efficient way to allow several buyers to tour your home in a short amount of time. This can also motivate buyers to take action and give you an offer.
Credit: Image by Victoria Wylde | Source
Be sure to prepare for these questions:
- How old is the roof?
- How old are the major mechanicals? (furnace, air conditioning unit, water heater)
- Where are the lot lines?
- Is there an HOA? If so, are there any costs? What are the requirements?
- Does the basement leak?
- What is this neighborhood like?
- What are the utility expenses?
- Why are you selling your home?
Negotiation Techniques
One of the many advantages of hiring a real estate agent to sell your Sedona home is they’re the ones who handle the negotiations with interested buyers, ensuring that you get the best deal out of this transaction.
Some of the things that are typically discussed in negotiations are the home sale price, buyer’s closing costs, and which contingencies will be included in the contract.
Some of the Top Points of Negotiation You May Encounter
Contingencies
Buyers may ask for the offer to be contingent on certain factors like the sale of their existing home or their ability to obtain financing.
Closing Costs
Both buyer and seller will have costs to shoulder at settlement. However, a buyer may request that you pay a portion of their closing costs.
Credit: Image by Victoria Wylde | Source
Repairs
A buyer may ask you to make necessary repairs or give them monetary compensation if you decide to let them have these repairs done with their chosen contractor.
Closing Date
Closing dates can also be subject to negotiation, such as when a buyer needs time to secure financing or you need additional time to move out.
Earnest Money
The earnest money deposit is typically a small amount that goes into an escrow account to show that the buyer is serious. This amount is negotiable, and it goes toward the purchase price.
Once you and your realtor have come to terms with your buyer verbally, be sure to put the offer in writing using a residential real estate purchase contract. This purchase contract is a legally binding document that protects the interests of both the seller and the buyer by specifically outlining expectations prior to settlement.
Closing the Deal
Real estate transactions in the state of Arizona are typically closed by escrow agents and title companies.
Arizona is a “dry funding” state. This means that the buyer and seller sign the necessary mortgage and title documents to close on the home, but the purchase is not funded at that time.
The word “dry” refers to waiting for the ink to proverbially dry before a deal is closed. This time provides an additional layer of protection to ensure that there are no issues with the transaction.
Conclusion
There you have it – everything you need to consider when selling your home in Sedona, AZ.
If you’re looking for a real estate agent to help you sell your Sedona property, feel free to contact me at 928-963-4855 or victoria@sedonaluxuryhomes.com to schedule an appointment.
With my experience in real estate and familiarity with the area, I can help you sell your home at the best price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to sell a home in Sedona, AZ?
As of April 2024, 25% of homes in Sedona were sold within 30 days, 50% of homes were sold within 30 to 90 days, and 25% of homes were sold over 90 days.
How can I attract buyers to my home in Sedona?
Creating an online listing is one of the most cost-efficient ways to attract buyers to your home for sale. This is something your real estate agent can do for you.
Are there any closing costs when selling a home in Sedona?
Yes, both buyer and seller will incur closing costs.
