Home Seller Questions & Answers

The short answer is, your home is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. The long answer, it depends. Real estate agents consider many factors such as the square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the location, the age and condition of the home and the size and condition of the yard. We will ask you about the size and type of your basement and recent updates.

I will compare your home to similar ones that have recently sold in the same area. Comparison homes won’t be exactly like yours, so I will adjust the price accordingly. There is always room for some negotiation.

In December 2024 the median number of days it took a home to sell was 58. Markets change. Utah has been in a sellers’ market for a few years. At one point the median number of days it took to sell a home in Salt Lake City was 8. Market conditions impact this along with many other factors. If your home is ready to sell, I will blast the information to potential buyers locally, nationally, and internationally electronically, through direct mail, and in print. Once you have a signed contract with a potential buyer, it takes about 30 days to go through the due diligence process. If a buyer is paying cash, it can go much faster.

Your home listing will be published on the Wasatch Front Regional Multiple Listing Service (MLS). From there, it will be served up to thousands of property-listing websites. It will appear on all major real estate sites including Zillow, Realtor, Homes, and too many more to mention. We can spread the good news in an instant with vivid professional photographs and compelling copy.

I will place an attractive branded real estate sign in your front yard. In many cases I mail cards and brochures featuring homes. I have a massive network of real estate agents and support professions and I never discount the power of good old-fashioned word of mouth.

Let’s walk through your home together and discuss improvements that will make it easier to sell your home, or net a better return on your investment. I will give you the pros and cons of different projects so you can make an informed decision.

It’s up to you to declutter and remove your personal items so prospective buyers can envision their own treasures in the home.

Did you know I pay for minor repairs, junk removal, and cleaning? Mine is a turn-key service. My team members and I want to make your house sparkle. It is important to me that your home looks just right. If you do paint, please use neutral colors.

I will pay a professional stager to work her interior decorating magic and a professional photographer to tie it all up in a bow for excited buyers.

In Utah, home sellers must disclose certain information about their property to prospective buyers. It is the law, and it makes real estate transactions more transparent. Disclosures can also help people avoid legal disputes.

I will provide you with a Seller’s Property Condition Disclosure Form. Of course, you don’t know what you don’t know but you must disclose what you do know. You must disclose known structural problems, and plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. If you are aware of mold pests, or termites let us know in the beginning so I can help you get it fixed or price your home accordingly.

I will need to know about any past water damage too. I will ask you to provide me with a brief history of major repairs or renovations. If there are non-functioning appliances left in the property, that will need to be disclosed too.

You will receive a Lead Paint Disclosure Form and must provide information about any existing lead paint. This is especially relevant to older homes.

In Utah, sellers are not required to disclose if a death, suicide, or violent crime occurred on the property unless specifically asked by the buyer.
If sellers have had recent inspections done, they might need to disclose the results, even if repairs were completed afterward. Transparency here can help prevent future disputes.

Failing to disclose required information can result in legal consequences for the seller and you could lose your buyer.

If you have questions about disclosure, let’s have an honest conversation and we’ll work through it.

There are some costs associated with selling a home. These are expenses you should count on when the sale closes. In some cases, these expenses can be deducted from the proceeds of your sale. Repairs and improvements are upfront costs that will vary significantly. The better your home looks, the easier it will be to sell.

Closing costs will include title insurance, escrow fees, and transfer taxes. The amount can vary by location but it is usually 1% to 3% percent of the sales price.

Some sellers opt to pay for a home warranty as a good-faith gesture to sweeten the deal. This covers the cost of appliance and systems repairs usually within the first year after the sale. The cost is $300 to $700.

Property taxes and HOA dues must be paid up to the closing date. You could also incur the cost of a notary, courier, and recording fees. Commission is about 6% to be paid by the seller and the buyer as negotiated.

Finally, if you owe money on your mortgage or have other liens against the house, they will be paid with the sale proceeds. You will receive the balance when the sale closes.

The real estate market fluctuates regularly. The Salt Lake County housing market has been kind to sellers in the past few years. Prices continually increase and demand is steady. We like to see six months of inventory on the shelf before we call it a buyer’s market. 

Because the market changes often, I have published local market information that is updated monthly. This will help you decide when the time is right to sell. 

Under current market conditions, it is highly unlikely your home will not sell. When a home does not sell, it often has to do with the following:

Price

I’ve been in the industry in Utah for more than 30 years so I’m very adept at pricing homes for sale but it does happen. If I see interest in your home is lacking, we’ll adjust the price together to attract more buyers.

Condition/required repairs

I discussed repairs and improvements above. Many people can’t or don’t want to make major repairs required to secure a new loan on the property. In some cases, we can make allowances in pricing for repairs. Major issues can keep buyers away.

Lack of showing access

You can own the most beautiful home in the city and not sell it if interested buyers can’t tour it. If you make your property available for showings, your home will be much easier to sell.

After all things are considered, if your home does not sell in the time allotted per our agreement you will have the option to renew your listing, take your home off the market, or list it elsewhere.

Modern technology makes it easier than ever before to communicate! I take phone calls as often as I can, and always return calls I miss. I can also be reached via text, email, and fax.

I have trained professionals to assist with every facet of selling a home, but I won’t drop you off on anyone’s door! As your real estate agent, I will personally be your main point of contact. During due-diligence, my transaction coordinator Nicole Baird will also communicate with you regularly.