Search

Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. I will be in touch with you shortly.

Explore Properties

Seller's Guide

A Step-by-Step First Time Seller's Guide

Putting your home on the market can be a stressful process, especially when you don’t know what to expect. Fortunately, with the help of an experienced agent and this easy to follow guide, you can smoothly complete the process. Following these steps will help you prepare so you can get organized and sell your home for the best price possible.​​​​​​​

Default Image

Step 1: Understand Why You're Selling

What do you want to accomplish with the sale of your home? Do you want to make a certain amount of money that you can put toward a larger or nicer home? Do you need to sell it as soon as possible to facilitate a move to a new city or area? Once you understand your needs, you can better craft your offer. For example, if you need to sell quickly, you might want to price your home lower than if your goal is to make a certain profit margin. Make sure you convey these needs to your Real Estate Agent once you choose one so he or she can adjust your selling price accordingly.

Default Image

Step 2: Determine Selling Price

Knowing how to price your home is one of the most important parts of the selling process. When you set a fair price in the beginning, you’ll get the most interest from other Real Estate Agents and prospective buyers. Overpricing your home could lead to reduced interest, and underpricing leads to receiving less than what your home is worth. Working with a Real Estate Agent is the best way to determine the right selling price for your home. An agent with experience can determine what other comparable homes are selling for, evaluate the current market, and may even suggest a home appraisal.

Default Image

Step 3: Start Preparations

If you’ve kept your home in showroom condition since you’ve lived in it, you’re in the minority of homeowners. Once you price your home, it’s time to start getting it 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.

Default Image

Step 4: Develop a Marketing Strategy

I will develop a marketing strategy that is perfect for advertising your home. This involves listing the home and then driving the right people to that listing through social media campaigns, agent-to-agent referrals, traditional media, or SEO advertising. My team creates a marketing campaign that aims to get the most possible traffic to your listing in the first three weeks after becoming a client.

Default Image

Step 5: Evaluate Offers

Receiving an offer is an exciting part of the process, but it doesn’t mean the journey is over. I will evaluate each offer and make sure the party making the offer is prequalified or pre-approved by a mortgage lender and that their offer is acceptable to you. If the offer is too low, you can make a counter-offer or offer other ways to bridge the gap, such as covering some or all of the closing costs, making repairs, adjusting the move-in date, or leaving some appliances or fixtures for the new buyer.

Default Image

Step 6: Accept an Offer

Once I deem the offer is acceptable, I will review the proposed contract to make sure it’s all in order and includes the necessary components such as deposit amount, down payment, financing, inspection rights and repair allowances, contingencies, settlement date, and a list of fees and who will pay them. When both parties have agreed to the term, a final contract will be prepared by your agent.

Default Image

Step 7: Get Ready to Close

You have accepted an offer and are now very close to the end of your selling journey. But first, you and the buyer must make a list of what needs to be done before closing. In some cases, your home may need to be formally inspected, surveyed, and appraised. In other cases, major or minor repairs will need to be made before the house can close. I will head up efforts to develop and execute this list, get each action item paid for by the correct party, and make sure everything is in order by the closing date. A few days before the closing date, I will call the company closing the transaction to make sure everything is ready to go. If you haven’t done so already, you also need to make arrangements to move out of the home so the new buyer can take possession.

Default Image

Step 8: Close

You’ve reached the last step in the seller’s process. When you close on a home you are selling, you are legally transferring ownership of the property to the new buyer. I will meet with the company closing the transaction to sign the final paperwork and go over any issues that have not yet been taken care of. During this time, you can also make plans with your Real Estate Agent to handle final details such as canceling utilities, cable, and lawn or trash services, changing the name on accounts that the new owner is retaining and ensuring the new owner has instructions for all appliances that will remain in the home.

Congratulations!

Once you have sold your home, you’re free to take the next step on your journey. Whether this is relocating to a new city, moving into a larger home, or downsizing and enjoying your life as empty-nesters, knowing all your selling responsibilities have been taken care of will help you achieve peace of mind for your new path.

See Why Clients Love Matthew

Testimonials

Read what clients have to say about working with him.

"I can’t say enough good things about Matt. We sold our house with him and bought the house we’re in now with him. His creativity and expertise in selling have achieved home-marketed big results. we did one open house after he marketed it so well, and we had well over 50 people come in that day, and sold it that day for over asking! The results were amazing, and that is a testament to his expertise, but beyond that, he was just a pleasure to work with and someone you can trust. The next house I buy or sell will be less stressful because I know Matt’s in my corner."
"I can’t say enough good things about Matt. We sold our house with him and bought the house we’re in now with him. His creativity and expertise in selling have achieved home-marketed big results. we did one open house after he marketed it so well, and we had well over 50 people come in that day, and sold it that day for over asking! The results were amazing, and that is a testament to his expertise, but beyond that, he was just a pleasure to work with and someone you can trust. The next house I buy or sell will be less stressful because I know Matt’s in my corner."
Robert G.
"Matt is one of the most professional, knowledgeable realtors I have ever worked with. He treats every client like they are his number one priority, he’s a genuine and caring person, and most importantly, he knows the market. From start to finish, he handled every aspect of my sale flawlessly. If I could give 10 stars, I would! Thank you, Matt, for all you do!"
"Matt is one of the most professional, knowledgeable realtors I have ever worked with. He treats every client like they are his number one priority, he’s a genuine and caring person, and most importantly, he knows the market. From start to finish, he handled every aspect of my sale flawlessly. If I could give 10 stars, I would! Thank you, Matt, for all you do!"
Sari
"Matt made the rental process very seamless. He was beyond helpful, caring, and personable. When it comes time to buy a property, he is the one I will be going to! Great service!"
"Matt made the rental process very seamless. He was beyond helpful, caring, and personable. When it comes time to buy a property, he is the one I will be going to! Great service!"
LaQuai M.
"Matt is one of the best realtors in South Jersey, especially when it comes to homes on the barrier islands. 10/10 would recommend Matt to anyone!"
"Matt is one of the best realtors in South Jersey, especially when it comes to homes on the barrier islands. 10/10 would recommend Matt to anyone!"
Kirt Z.
"Made buying my first home the easiest and smoothest process. Works hard and actually cares about his clients."
"Made buying my first home the easiest and smoothest process. Works hard and actually cares about his clients."
Nate P.
"Matt listened to our family's wants and needs and diligently worked to find us a home that met our criteria. During our search, he displayed patience and understanding of our situation. His communication, organization skills, and calm demeanor made the process less stressful and a positive experience. Not only did we build a connection throughout the home buying process, but we also found a friend!"
"Matt listened to our family's wants and needs and diligently worked to find us a home that met our criteria. During our search, he displayed patience and understanding of our situation. His communication, organization skills, and calm demeanor made the process less stressful and a positive experience. Not only did we build a connection throughout the home buying process, but we also found a friend!"
Ken M.
"Matt was incredible during the entire home-buying process. His knowledge and guidance were essential to my wife and me finding a great house exactly where we desired. Matt was always available to answer any questions and provided some great advice. Matt is a great guy, and Theresa and I feel like we gained a friend as well as a house. Thank you, Matt!"
"Matt was incredible during the entire home-buying process. His knowledge and guidance were essential to my wife and me finding a great house exactly where we desired. Matt was always available to answer any questions and provided some great advice. Matt is a great guy, and Theresa and I feel like we gained a friend as well as a house. Thank you, Matt!"
William & Theresa W.
"Matt helped me purchase my condo and made the experience super easy and simple. Responded to texts quickly and got my offers in quickly. The whole process only took 3 weeks. 10/10 would recommend to anyone."
"Matt helped me purchase my condo and made the experience super easy and simple. Responded to texts quickly and got my offers in quickly. The whole process only took 3 weeks. 10/10 would recommend to anyone."
Mark G.
"Matt is what everyone wants in a realtor! He is honest, trustworthy, loyal, and sticks up for his clients. He works his butt off to make his clients happy and his deals stick together. He truly goes above and beyond. He has excellent communication and walks you through every step of the process. After nine months of searching in this insane market, we finally bought our home. It even had everything on our list we wanted, all because Matt found it off-market! We couldn’t be happier with our experience and will absolutely use him again!"
"Matt is what everyone wants in a realtor! He is honest, trustworthy, loyal, and sticks up for his clients. He works his butt off to make his clients happy and his deals stick together. He truly goes above and beyond. He has excellent communication and walks you through every step of the process. After nine months of searching in this insane market, we finally bought our home. It even had everything on our list we wanted, all because Matt found it off-market! We couldn’t be happier with our experience and will absolutely use him again!"
Kathryn C.
"I have known Matt for about 5 years now, and not only is he a great realtor, but he is a genuine person and a friend. I have done several real estate closings utilizing Matt, and even in this crazy market, he gets me a deal! Matt will fight tooth and nail for his clients and do everything in his power to make his clients happy without any pressure. I highly recommend giving Matt a call for a purchase or sale of real estate."
"I have known Matt for about 5 years now, and not only is he a great realtor, but he is a genuine person and a friend. I have done several real estate closings utilizing Matt, and even in this crazy market, he gets me a deal! Matt will fight tooth and nail for his clients and do everything in his power to make his clients happy without any pressure. I highly recommend giving Matt a call for a purchase or sale of real estate."
Fenil G.

Get Your Home's Value

Home Valuation

Follow Matthew On Instagram