Seller Resources
Tips for Potential Sellers
Declutter, declutter, declutter
Remember when you first walked into your home and you were wowed away by how tidy and clean it looked? You want everyone to see your home in the best possible condition so that there are no distractions from the property itself. Decluttering isn’t necessarily about throwing things away, it is about removing and storing valuable or sentimental items that will come with you later, but aren’t currently used. Consider renting storage space either in the building or off-site.
Repairs & Maintenance
Painting and other touch-ups are small yet crucial details. Some things you or your super can handle, like patching nail holes, aligning kitchen cabinet doors, or swapping out old outlet covers for some new ones. Larger repairs might require an outside contractor, which can take considerable time (not to mention possible board approval). Ask us about a Compass Concierge, an interest free loan that can cover the cost of these larger repairs and be repaid at closing.
Building Documents
At closing, you (or your attorney) were given an Offering Plan for the co-op or condo. You'll need that when it comes time to sell. As an owner, you should also receive the annual financial report each year (typically in June). You'll need two years of these as well.
Co-op Documents
Additionally, if you own a co-op, you'll also need the stock certificate and your proprietary lease. If you have a mortgage, these are with your lender, who is holding them as collateral. If you don't have a mortgage, or it has been paid-off, you should have these in a safe place. Start thinking now about where they are. You don't want to scramble at the last minute when you need them.
Staging
Do you need to — or should you — stage your home? We will discuss this important question, and we can help you break down the costs and benefits of staging. While not always necessary or feasible, staging can help neutralize and enhance a space in a way that lived-in furniture cannot. It can also help to bring life and scale to an empty space. We can recommend well-regarded staging companies who are best equipped to handle the work you need.
Rules
While not common, some co-ops require that an apartment be offered for sale to other residents for a certain period of time (typically 2-4 weeks) before it can be listed on the open market. Though likely conveyed at the time of your purchase, it’s something that is often overlooked until listing preparations have already started. Working with us will ensure that nothing is overlooked and that the correct arrangements are made for bringing a property to market.
Seller Timeline
Meet with Us
We'll meet to discuss your plans and goals, trends in the current marketplace, and assess your property’s qualities and characteristics. We will analyze comparable property sales, and work with you to determine a pricing strategy. We will outline a plan to achieve the best possible result for you as a seller. We use and encourage data-driven decision making. We will also discuss whether a standard listing agreement or a Private Exclusive listing agreement will work best for you.
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Setting the Stage
We will work with you to ensure the property is visually ready to make the right first impression with buyers. From applying a fresh coat of paint and rearranging furniture to a full professional staging project, we will discuss what’s needed and help you get it done. It is best to declutter as much as possible, so go ahead and start packing - you're going to be moving soon! We can connect you with organizers and moving managers who can help.
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Going Live
We get professional photography and a professional floor plan. For certain properties we also use drone and other video to highlight special qualities of the apartment and the neighborhood. The property is listed on Compass.com, Streeteasy.com, Zillow.com, and Realtor.com and is disseminated directly to all of the other major brokerages. Our team listings also appear on our website, tonihaberteam.com, are highlighted in our monthly Toni Haber Newsletter, spotlighted on our Instagram, and are emailed to our list of top NYC brokers.
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Spreading the Word
The Toni Haber Team employs a Marketing Director who will leverage all Compass has to offer, and then take it to the next level. We will develop and execute an intelligent, effective marketing plan to produce beautiful print and digital collateral to showcase your property, and if appropriate, secure ad placement and digital marketing opportunities.
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Leverage our Network
We put your property in front of the local agents who are most likely to have an appropriate buyer, using the Compass Network Tool. We can connect with the more than 23,000 Compass agents around the country. Toni Haber is a founding member of REALM, a collective of approximately 625 elite brokers from around the country and across the world, who represent the top 0.5% of brokers anywhere. Our team listings are shared with all other members of REALM through a REALM-only database.
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Showings, Feedback, & Communication
We will be present for every single showing and host all open houses. Anyone can list a house, but selling is an active pursuit and we are on site to ensure your needs and goals are met. We will carefully and continuously monitor how the market responds to your listing. Feedback from agents and buyers will be aggregated, and the listing and/or strategy is revised if necessary. Continuous digital traffic metrics, as well as up to the minute data about both your listing and the broader market will be provided.
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Offers & Negotiations
We will discuss all offers with you and analyze all the pros and cons. The best offer can be much more than just the highest price; contingencies and timing matter as does the ability of the buyer to follow through on the offer, sign a contract, be approved by the building, and make it to a closing. The Toni Haber Team will provide advice and guidance throughout to ensure a well-negotiated deal in your favor. After some back-and-forth with the buyer, ideally you will accept an offer and move forward. An Accepted Offer is basically a handshake deal – until both parties have signed a contract, either one can still back out without penalty. We will send a deal sheet to the attorneys so they can prepare a contract.
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Contract
After the buyer completes their due diligence and the contract is completely negotiated by the attorneys, the buyer will sign the contract and provide a contract deposit of 10%. Once you countersign, you’re officially In Contract. From here, we ensure that your buyer stays on track with their mortgage and the preparation of their application to the building. Once they are approved, we arrange for a final walk-through with the buyer and the attorneys schedule a closing.
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Closing
In New York, closings are usually held in person at the building management’s office. You’ll sign all of the paperwork for the actual transfer of the property and give the keys to your buyer. Your attorney will coordinate the pay-off of any existing mortgage and any closing costs. You’ll walk away with a check or a wire directly to your bank account at the end of the closing. Congratulations!
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Start your seller journey
110 5th Avenue, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10011