The Home Buyer and Home Seller Guide is here! This buyer & seller guide provides a short insight on what it takes to find you a new home or sell your current home.
Buyer & Seller Guide
THE BUYING PROCESS, SIMPLIFIED
If you want to know a little bit about what to expect when buying a home, read below to get an idea of every step that we will help you through!
PRE-APPROVAL
DISCUSS YOUR NEEDS
DIRECT MLS EMAIL
VIEW HOMES
WRITE AN OFFER
HOME INSPECTION
FORMAL LOAN APPLICATION
APPRAISAL
FINAL LOAN APPROVAL
CLOSING DISCLOSURES
CLOSING DAY
KEYS
AGENT CONSULTATION
Writing down a list of wants, needs, likes and dislikes can be extremely helpful, but keep an open mind when doing so. Just like a pair of jeans, not all houses fit the same, regardless of the details like square feet, number of rooms, etc..
Discussing your wants and needs with your agent is a must! An open discussion can help you realize that you’re missing something from your list and will give us an excellent idea on what type of home will fit your needs and put a big smile on your face.
GET PRE-APPROVED
First things first…Meet with a loan officer from a reputable bank, credit union, or mortgage broker. This will allow you to know exactly what to expect as far as closing costs, down payment, what monthly payment you are comfortable paying, and what price home you qualify for. This is a VERY important step in home buying, without it you are not yet ready to purchase a home.
The pre-approval process can be fairly simple and feel free to use our experience and expertise to help guide you along the way if you get confused or overwhelmed.
Why Buyer Representation Matters
When you begin your home search, it’s important to know that the listing agent represents the seller, not you. That’s why working with a dedicated buyer’s agent matters. As your representative, we protect your interests, advise you through every stage, and use our experience to secure the best possible outcome. Our role is to help you navigate the complexities of home buying, negotiate favorable terms, and ensure your experience is smooth and successful.
Market & Industry Knowledge
Real estate is more than just finding a home; it’s about understanding the value behind every decision. With decades of experience and a pulse on real-time market trends, we help you navigate pricing, assess comparable homes, and determine how features, location, and timing affect property value. You won’t just make a good offer, you’ll make a smart one.
Technology That Simplifies Everything
We combine personalized service with industry-leading technology to give you a seamless home buying experience. Our tools allow you to sign documents securely online, receive customized home search alerts, and coordinate showings with ease. You'll never need to worry about dropping off checks, printing paperwork, or missing a new listing—our digital platforms keep everything streamlined and stress-free.
Before the Offer
Buying a home starts long before the offer is written. We begin by getting to know your lifestyle, financial goals, and priorities. We’ll help you identify the features that matter most to you, whether that’s location, layout, outdoor space, or amenities. Then, we’ll connect you with reliable lenders to get you pre-approved, so you’re ready to make a serious offer when the perfect property hits the market. We’ll also share current market data, including trends in days on market and pricing strategy, so you feel informed and prepared.
After the Offer
Once your offer is accepted, our work continues behind the scenes to ensure everything stays on track. We’ll manage the inspection process and guide you through any needed repairs or negotiations. We coordinate with the lender to ensure the appraisal is completed on time, work with the title company to resolve any issues, and keep all parties informed through every step. You’ll know what’s happening, when, and why—so you can move forward with confidence all the way to closing.
SELLING WITH CENTURY 21 SIGNATURE REALTY
Selling your home can seem daunting. CENTURY 21 Signature Realty is here to help you navigate through this major life-decision. If you are ready to sell your home, contact us and let’s get going!
Selling your home is a very personalized process, which is why meeting with a CENTURY 21 agent is the most important first step in this process. CENTURY 21 agents will create a tailored home selling plan to fit your needs.
EXTERIOR CURB APPEAL
Before potential buyers even see what the home has to offer, they view its exterior. As a result, an unkempt or unattractive view of the outside of the home could potentially result in a missed opportunity. To show the house in its best light, consider the following:
- Move all materials, including garbage cans and gardening supplies, from the front yard and into a garage or shed.
- Mow the lawn and weed and maintain all planted areas.
- Replace any outdoor light bulbs that are not working.
- Sweep walkways and steps, and remove all small items from the porch or patio.
- Replace worn or badly stained door mats.
- Trim trees and shrubs.
- Repair any broken or damaged fencing.
STAGE TO SELL INTERIOR
Once a potential buyer enters the home, they need to determine if it will meet their needs and expectations. Give them the best view of the home’s interior by following these steps:
- Remove the home of any clutter by limiting decorative objects (including real and fake plants) and clearing all unnecessary appliances and accessories from the kitchen countertops.
- Rearrange or remove furniture to highlight the space in a room Make sure all light bulbs work and are the same color. Replace any blue tinted bulbs as they make the space feel cold.
- Remove used towels from bathrooms and put any hygiene products in a closet or cupboard.
- Review each room and clean or vacuum if necessary.
- Before showings, turn on lights, especially in hallways and small rooms.
SELL WITH CONFIDENCE
Selling your home in a quickly, or less than the median days on market for similar properties, can result in the highest possible sale price. The following guildlines help your home stand above the competition, giving you the best results.
PROPER PRICE
A market analysis should be completed to compare the listed property with other sold and for sale properties in the area of the subject. A range will be given and choosing within the range should yield the best results.
EASY ACCESSIBILITY
Home buyers want to look at properties that are for sale on their own time. Homes that are not easily accessible could be passed over by a qualified buyer. There are plenty of homes on the market. “Quick sale” properties are available at any reasonable time.
SELLER FLEXIBILITY
Some Buyers need help with closing costs, quick occupancy, or extended closing date. The wise Seller will remain flexible and willing in order to sell their house for the highest dollar.
GOOD CONDITION
Buyers expect a property to be in reasonably good condition. Most buyers are not skilled or interested in completing repairs even if they are cosmetic. For a “quick sale” the property should be in good condition.
REASONABLE COMMISSION
We work hard for a commission, just like you! Cutting commissions might sound like a good idea on the surface, but this can end up costing the Seller tons of money, as well as losing any negotiating power.
PROPER ADVERTISING
If a Buyer doesn’t know it’s for sale, they won’t try to buy it. Advertising should be far reaching in order to locate the best Buyer for your property.
PROPERTY APPEAL
Staging a property can mean the difference. Buyers can’t visualize what a property could look like. They need to see it in its best light.
Our Marketing Plan
We implement a comprehensive marketing strategy to give your home maximum exposure. That begins with professional photography, compelling descriptions, and entry into the local MLS. Your listing will be featured on CENTURY 21 websites, distributed to platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com, and shared across social media channels. We also produce custom print materials, promote your home through email campaigns, and offer targeted digital ads to reach active buyers. Your property’s visibility is our top priority online, in print, and in person.
Pricing Your Home
A smart pricing strategy is key to selling quickly and successfully. We consider current market demand, recent sales, upgrades to your home, and its overall condition. While it's natural to think about what you paid for the home or what you hope to make, true market value is determined by data, not emotion. We’ll help you land on a competitive price that attracts buyers and supports a strong offer.
Technology & Online Presence
Your listing will benefit from industry-leading tools. With Zillow Showcase, your home will receive enhanced exposure and premium presentation that attracts more views and saves. Dotloop allows for easy online document management and digital signing. RealScout and ShowingTime help us coordinate buyer activity, showings, and feedback while keeping you informed every step of the way. Plus, through our partnership with Boost, we expand your reach across more than 1,000 websites.
Listing Performance & Visibility
Being on Zillow is important, but how you're represented matters more. Our Showcase listings are proven to get more attention and often sell faster and for more. We track your listing’s online performance through Golden Ruler, giving you real-time data on views, shares, and activity. This helps us stay responsive and make strategic adjustments if needed.
© CENTURY 21 Signature Realty
CENTURY 21 and the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC. State Street Realty, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise in independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchises are not provided by, affiliated with or related to Century 21 Real Estate LLC nor any of its affiliated companies.
