Question 1

How do you determine what my home is worth?

Accepted Answer

We start with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) using:
 • Recent sold homes most similar to yours (same area, size, features)
 • Active and pending listings (your current competition + what buyers are choosing right now)
 • Your home’s condition, upgrades, layout, lot/acreage, and unique features
 • Current market factors like interest rates, seasonality, and buyer demand
Then we recommend a pricing range and a strategy (for example: list to drive strong traffic quickly vs. list for maximum margin with a longer timeline). If your home has unusual features (acreage, outbuildings, views, unique construction), we’ll adjust the approach to match the right buyer pool.

Question 2

What’s the best way to price my home to sell quickly AND get the most for it?

Accepted Answer

Pricing is a strategy, not a guess. In most markets, the strongest results come from:
 • Pricing to match what buyers are actually paying (sold comps)
 • Positioning your home as the best value against active competition
 • Avoiding the “test price” that creates stale listing weeks
We’ll talk through your priorities (speed vs. top dollar vs. minimal disruption) and build a plan around that. The goal is to create strong early momentum, because the first 7–14 days are when buyer interest is usually highest.

Question 3

Should I stage my home?

Accepted Answer

Staging doesn’t have to mean renting furniture. In many cases, “light staging” is all you need to make your home feel brighter, larger, and more inviting:
 • Remove excess furniture to make rooms feel more spacious
 • Reposition key pieces to improve flow and highlight the room’s purpose
 • Use neutral bedding, fresh towels, and simple décor for a clean look
 • Improve lighting (brighter bulbs, open blinds, and clean windows)
If your home is vacant, partial staging can be especially helpful because it gives buyers a better sense of room size and layout. The goal is to help buyers picture themselves living there—and to make your listing photos look their best.

Question 4

Do I need to make repairs before selling?

Accepted Answer

Not always. The best approach depends on your home’s condition, price point, and what buyers in your market expect.
Repairs are usually worth doing when they:
 • Prevent buyers from losing confidence (roof leaks, electrical concerns, active plumbing leaks)
 • Are likely to come up during inspection negotiations
 • Help the home show better (visible damage, broken fixtures, missing trim, sticking doors)
Repairs may not be worth it if:
 • The cost is high and buyers would prefer a credit
 • The fix won’t meaningfully improve buyer perception or appraisal support
 • Your price point/market segment tends to favor “as-is” listings
We’ll help you choose the smartest option—repair, offer a credit, or price accordingly—based on what buyers in your range are responding to right now.

Question 5

Do professional photos really matter?

Accepted Answer

Yes—photos are often the difference between “scroll past” and “schedule a showing.”
Professional photography:
 • Makes your listing stand out online
 • Attracts more showings (and often stronger offers)
 • Can reduce time on market by presenting the home as clean, bright, and “move-in ready,” even if it isn’t perfect
In most cases, professional photos paired with a clean, well-lit home are some of the best ROI you can get before listing.

Question 6

How will my home be marketed?

Accepted Answer

Our marketing is built to create maximum qualified attention fast, especially in the first 7–10 days when buyer interest is highest. Along with full MLS exposure, we bring a major local social media reach to the table—through the Facebook groups we manage with 35,000+ members—so your listing gets in front of real buyers, not just passive scrollers.
A strong marketing plan usually includes:
 • MLS exposure (which feeds major home-search sites)
 • Professional-quality photos and a compelling, keyword-rich listing description
 • Strategic social media promotion across our channels, including our 35,000+ member local Facebook communities
 • Targeted reach to likely buyers (and relocation interest) based on location, price point, and features
 • Agent-to-agent visibility so buyer agents know it’s available and easy to show
 • Clear showing instructions that make scheduling simple and reduce friction
The specifics vary based on your home type (subdivision vs. acreage, entry-level vs. luxury, etc.), but the goal is always the same: get the right eyes on it early, follow up quickly, and convert interest into strong offers.

Question 7

How do showings work, and how do I prepare day-to-day?

Accepted Answer

Showings are scheduled through your preferred method (showing app, call/text, or appointment request) and typically last 15–45 minutes. We’ll help you set up a simple routine so day-to-day life stays manageable while your home is on the market.
We’ll make a plan for:
 • Pets: crate, remove, or schedule showing blocks (and handle pet notes for agents)
 • Quick “show-ready” routine: a short checklist to reset the home fast (lights on, counters clear, beds made, trash out)
 • Safety: secure or remove valuables, medications, mail, and sensitive documents
 • Feedback: we collect and share buyer/agent feedback so we can adjust strategy if needed
Most sellers get the best results when showings are easy to schedule, because buyers often tour multiple homes in a short window—and the homes they can see quickly are the ones most likely to get offers.

Question 8

What happens when we get an offer?

Accepted Answer

When an offer comes in, we’ll walk through the full picture—not just the price—so you can make a decision with confidence.
We’ll review key terms like:
 • Financing type (cash, conventional, FHA/VA, etc.)
 • Down payment strength and lender quality
 • Inspection, financing, and appraisal terms and deadlines
 • Requested concessions or credits
 • Closing date, possession, and any special terms
Then we’ll outline your options: accept, counter, or negotiate specific terms. We’ll help you understand where you have leverage, what matters most to you, and what’s likely to keep the deal on track.
Our role is to keep the process calm and clear while advocating for your best outcome—often that means protecting your net as a seller or reducing unnecessary costs as a buyer, without creating drama that jeopardizes the closing.

Question 9

What if we get multiple offers?

Accepted Answer

Multiple offers can be a great position to be in—and this is where a clear strategy matters. The goal isn’t just the highest price on paper; it’s the strongest overall deal and the best net outcome with the least risk.
We’ll help you compare offers based on:
 • Net proceeds after concessions, credits, and fees
 • Probability of closing (lender quality, down payment strength, underwriting confidence)
 • Contingencies and timelines (inspection terms, deadlines, closing date, possession)
 • Appraisal risk (especially when an offer is aggressive on price)
We run a very transparent offer process: you’ll see every offer we receive, along with a clear comparison of price, terms, and estimated net proceeds, so you can make the decision that best fits your goals.
We’ll also recommend a fair, organized process—such as a deadline, “best and final,” or structured counters (and escalation terms when appropriate)—so you stay in control and avoid confusion.

Question 10

What if the inspection finds issues?

Accepted Answer

It’s normal for inspections to uncover items—even in well-maintained homes. Most inspection negotiations fall into a few common buckets:
 • Safety items (electrical hazards, active leaks, trip hazards)
 • Major systems (roof, HVAC, plumbing, foundation/structural concerns)
 • Maintenance items (minor repairs, wear-and-tear, cosmetic issues)
If issues come up, you typically have several options:
 • Agree to specific repairs (often with a clear scope and licensed vendors)
 • Offer a credit at closing so the buyer can handle it after closing
 • Adjust the price in lieu of repairs
 • Decline requests when they’re excessive or outside the contract expectations
We’ll help you sort the “must-fix” items from the “nice-to-have” requests, choose the response that best fits your goals, and keep the deal moving while protecting your bottom line.

Question 11

What if the appraisal comes in low?

Accepted Answer

A low appraisal can happen—especially when the market shifts quickly, inventory is changing, or a home has unique features that are hard to match with nearby sales.
If it happens, you typically have a few options:
 • Challenge the value by providing stronger comparable sales and relevant details (updates, upgrades, lot features, etc.)
 • Renegotiate the price and/or concessions to bridge the gap
 • Have the buyer bring additional funds (if they’re willing and able)
 • Adjust terms or timelines depending on the loan type and contract deadlines
We’ll help you evaluate the best path based on the buyer’s strength, your home’s demand level, and how much leverage you have in the current market—so you can protect your outcome while keeping the deal on track.

Question 12

What are typical seller closing costs?

Accepted Answer

Seller costs vary by location and the terms of the contract, but they often include:
 • Real estate professional compensation (as agreed in the listing paperwork)
 • Title/settlement fees (varies by area and negotiated terms)
 • Any negotiated repairs or buyer credits from inspection/appraisal items
 • Prorated property taxes (and sometimes HOA dues/transfer fees, if applicable)
Before you list, we can provide a net proceeds estimate so you know what to expect and can plan your next move with confidence.
For tax questions (like capital gains), it’s best to confirm with a CPA.

Question 13

Can I sell my home “as-is”?

Accepted Answer

Yes. “As-is” generally means you’re not agreeing upfront to make repairs, but buyers may still:
 • Inspect the property
 • Request concessions
 • Decide whether to proceed based on what they find
“As-is” works best when:
 • The price reflects condition
 • Expectations are clear in the listing and disclosures
 • The home is marketed to the right buyer pool
We’ll help you decide whether a traditional listing, an as-is strategy, or—when it fits—an auction-style sale (coming soon!) makes the most sense. In any case, we’ll choose the approach that matches your goals, timeline, and the type of buyers most likely to compete for your home.

Question 14

Can I sell and buy at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes—and planning is everything. The key is protecting your timeline so you’re not rushed into a decision or stuck with gaps in housing.
Common strategies include:
 • Coordinating timelines so your sale closes before (or alongside) your purchase
 • Negotiating flexible possession when appropriate (rent-back/temporary occupancy)
 • Temporary housing options if you need a short bridge between homes
 • Planning early to reduce pressure and keep negotiating strength
If you tell us your timeline and flexibility, we can map out a step-by-step plan that reduces stress, keeps you in control, and helps both transactions go as smoothly as possible.

Question 15

Do you help with inherited/estate properties or homes that need clean-out?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Estate and inherited properties often come with extra moving parts, and we’re set up to make the process as simple as possible.
Common needs include:
 • A clear pricing strategy, especially when condition is dated or the home is full
 • Guidance on what to clean/repair vs. sell as-is
 • Vendor coordination for clean-out, trash removal, deep cleaning, and minor repairs
And soon, we’ll be able to offer an even more streamlined option: a one-stop approach to handle both the personal property and the real estate—so you’re not juggling multiple companies, timelines, and points of contact.
We’ll help you choose the best path based on the estate’s goals—maximize price, minimize time, or reduce complexity—and then build a plan to match.

Question 16

I’m near the GA/TN line — does state location affect selling?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it can. Homes near the state line often attract buyers comparing both sides, and location can influence things like:
 • Taxes and overall cost of ownership
 • Commute patterns and job access
 • Insurance costs and utility/service availability
 • School zones and county services
 • Lifestyle preferences (acreage, privacy, neighborhoods, short-term rental rules in some areas)
We’ll price and market your home based on where your most likely buyers are coming from and what they value most—whether that’s schools, convenience to Chattanooga, low taxes, acreage, or specific community features.

Question 17

Do I need a survey?

Accepted Answer

Not always, but it’s often helpful—especially for properties with acreage, older fence lines, shared driveways, easements, or unclear boundary corners.
A survey can:
 • Reduce boundary questions early (and prevent surprises in due diligence)
 • Help buyers understand what they’re getting—especially with land
 • Support smoother underwriting/closing when there are access or encroachment concerns
We’ll advise you based on your property type and what buyers and lenders typically expect in your area, and we can recommend the right approach if a new survey isn’t necessary.

Question 18

I have acreage/outbuildings — does that change the valuation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Acreage and outbuildings can change value significantly, and the details matter more than the raw number of acres.
Acreage value depends heavily on:
 • Location and nearby demand
 • Usability (pasture vs. wooded, cleared vs. steep terrain)
 • Road access, driveway quality, and frontage
 • Utilities and improvements (water source, septic, power, internet)
 • Restrictions/easements and how the land can be used
Outbuildings can add value when they’re:
 • Functional and in good condition (roof, structure, doors, flooring)
 • Useful to typical buyers (shop space, storage, barn, RV/boat parking)
 • Properly permitted where applicable and easy to explain/market
We’ll pull comps that reflect land and improvements more accurately than typical “subdivision comps,” and we’ll position the property to attract the buyers who value acreage features most.

Sell Your Home with a Clear Plan