Seller's Guide

Everything you need to know about putting your home on the market, accepting an offer, and closing on your home.

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.​​​​​​​

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Step 1: Understand Why You're Selling

Every successful home sale begins with clarity. Understanding what you hope to achieve, whether it’s maximizing your equity to move into your next luxury residence or ensuring a seamless transition to a new city, shapes every strategic decision we make together.

Once your goals are defined, we craft a pricing and positioning strategy that aligns with your priorities. If timing is paramount, we may position the home to attract immediate, competitive interest. If your focus is on achieving a specific financial return, we’ll leverage market insights and premium presentation to support a stronger price point.

By communicating your objectives early in the process, I can curate a tailored approach that elevates your property, appeals to qualified buyers, and ultimately delivers the results you expect in today’s sophisticated real estate market.

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Step 2: Determine Selling Price

Pricing your home correctly from the outset is one of the most strategic decisions you will make in the selling process. A well-positioned price attracts serious buyers and top agents immediately, creating the momentum that often leads to stronger offers and a more seamless sale. Conversely, overpricing can cause a property to languish on the market, while underpricing may leave valuable equity on the table.

As an experienced real estate professional, I bring a data-driven and discerning approach to valuation. I analyze comparable luxury properties, current market trends, and neighborhood-specific dynamics to determine an accurate and competitive price for your home.

My goal is to position your property precisely where it will command attention, maximize interest, and ultimately achieve the highest possible return.

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Step 3: Start Preparations

Even the most beautifully cared-for homes benefit from thoughtful preparation before coming to market. Once pricing and strategy are established, presenting your property at a truly exceptional level becomes essential. This may include decluttering, creating a neutral and inviting aesthetic, addressing repairs, and ensuring every room is pristine and polished.

To streamline the process, I offer access to my network of top-tier stagers, designers, and trusted vendors. From coordinating services to overseeing each detail, I can fully project-manage the preparation of your home, ensuring it is showcased with the elegance and sophistication that today’s discerning buyers expect.

By elevating your property to a showroom-ready standard, we create an environment where buyers can instantly envision themselves in the space, ultimately enhancing desirability and maximizing your home’s market impact.

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Step 4: Develop a Marketing Strategy

I deliver a targeted, high-impact marketing strategy that positions your home directly in front of the most qualified buyers. Backed by Coldwell Banker Realty, one of the world’s leading marketing and branding powerhouses, I pair global exposure with my expertise as a Certified Global Luxury Specialist.

Your property will be promoted through MLS placement, strategic social media, curated print and digital campaigns, open houses and broker tours, and robust agent-to-agent networking. As a member of several elite agent groups, I frequently generate off-market interest with multiple-offer outcomes.

My marketing team prioritizes maximum visibility in the critical first three weeks, ensuring your home stands out and attracts the right buyers quickly and effectively.

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Step 5: Evaluate Offers

Receiving an offer is a meaningful milestone, but it is only one step in a sophisticated and strategic process. Together, we will carefully evaluate each proposal, verifying the buyer’s financial strength, assessing terms, and determining whether the offer aligns with your goals. You may choose to accept, decline, or craft a strategic counteroffer.

Throughout these negotiations, I serve as your dedicated fiduciary, advocating exclusively for your best interests. My role is to ensure you are positioned with clarity, confidence, and leverage, guiding you toward the outcome that delivers the highest value and meets your expectations.

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Step 6: Accept an Offer

Once we identify an offer that meets your expectations, we will conduct a meticulous review of the proposed contract to ensure every detail aligns with your interests. This includes confirming the deposit and down payment structure, financing terms, inspection provisions, repair allowances, contingencies, closing timelines, and the allocation of all associated fees.

When both parties have reached agreement on the terms, a refined final contract will be prepared for signature.

Throughout this process, my focus is to safeguard your position and ensure the transaction proceeds with precision, clarity, and the highest level of professionalism.

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Step 7: Get Ready to Close

Once you’ve accepted an offer, you are nearing the completion of your selling journey. Before closing, however, both parties must finalize the necessary steps to ensure a seamless transition. Depending on the agreement, this may include inspections, surveys, appraisals, or the completion of select repairs.

I will oversee and coordinate this entire process, & develop a clear action plan while confirming responsibility for each item. I will ensure all requirements are met in a timely and organized manner. My role is to manage the details with precision so that you move toward closing with confidence and without unnecessary burden.

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Step 8: Close

Closing marks the successful culmination of your home sale. During this final stage, all contractual obligations are completed, documents are reviewed and signed, and funds are securely transferred. The title company ensures every detail is accurate and fully compliant, allowing for a seamless transfer of ownership to the buyer. Once the sale is recorded and finalized, you’ll receive confirmation along with your proceeds, bringing your transaction to a smooth and satisfying close!

Congratulations!

Once you have sold your home, you are free to take the next step on your new life's 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. 

I look forward to working with you.



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Mark Vallee & The Vallee Family Trust

Erin Farber was essential to the success of my siblings and I selling our beloved family home after our parents passed away. It was a trustee sale which none of us had experience with, and Erin immediately knew what to do in al...
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Erin B.

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Tom & Joy Jow

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Chris Weber, Supreme Lending

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Russell Cox

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Kevin & Marie

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Simone & Scott

Erin is an excellent agent and a good friend. She sold our Marin house when a lot of houses were on sale. She is professional and kind and a real go-getter. I would use her any time I need a house sold!
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Bill Carle

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Scott Z.

Erin did a great job in selling our house in a market that was becoming difficult. She knew exactly what did and did not need to do to get the house prepared to sell, had turnkey professional vendors to assist in that to make t...
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Erin's primary objective in being a real estate sales associate is to conduct business with the highest level of integrity. As with teaching, in her real estate practice Erin continues to uphold a fiduciary duty to her clients, putting their goals, dreams, and needs above all else.

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