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Getting started with Liz & Ellie Real Estate, Compass, Cambridge.

Getting Started

It is our goal to sell your home in the shortest amount of time, at the highest price, and with the fewest hassles. Scroll down to read about the steps we take to do this, which include:

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  • Pricing your home​

  • Choosing your seller agent

  • Preparing your home

  • Staging

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Pricing your home

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Comparing properties (in similar condition, size, location, amenities, age, etc.) that have recently sold within your area will help determine the price of your property. Many times owners want to sell their homes based on how much they paid for it, or how much it is worth to them emotionally or financially, or how much they have invested in it (from renovations, for example). Every seller wants to receive as much money as possible from the sale, but if a listing is priced too high, if often ends up selling for less than market value.

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If your property is overpriced, buyers may be encouraged to bid on other properties, which means that you are ultimately helping sell someone else’s home. The result of an overpriced listing is often increased market time; and the longer a property sits on the market, the less negotiating power the seller has. Even after the price is adjusted to where it should have been originally, the property is often looked at as a “stale” home: Nobody wants to buy real estate that everyone else has walked away from. So, the result is receiving a lower-priced offer than you had hoped for. In addition, an overpriced property (once it is under agreement) might not appraise as highly with the bank, which gives the buyer the chance to walk away from purchasing the property or to re-negotiate the price down.

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An accurate market evaluation is the first step in determining a competitive listing price.

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Choosing an Agent


Like choosing any service professional – from an accountant to your family doctor – it’s important to do your homework before deciding on a real estate agent. Your home purchase or sale likely represents one of the most significant financial transactions of your life, and you definitely want to find the right person for you.

Below is an outline of the steps involved when selling your home. These steps will prepare you for organizing your home, negotiating an offer, and getting ready to close. We will be there every step of the way to make the process as painless and effortless as possible. Feel free to ask any questions at any time during the process!


Preparing Your House


Making a great first impression is one of the most important aspects of selling your home. A property that is not clean or well-maintained is a red flag for potential buyers. To them, a poorly cared-for home may be an indication that there are hidden defects which could result in an increased cost of ownership. For many buyers, the thought of having to spend more money on a home after they purchase it will deter them from wanting to buy it.

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Painting your walls may be the best interior improvement you can make. For broader appeal, paint in neutral colors such as beige, or off-white. You may personally like a bit of personality in a home, but having black or zebra striped walls may put off potential buyers.


It’s equally important to make sure that your mechanical systems are working well and have been recently serviced. Fix any leaks that you may have been ignoring in faucets, shower heads or basement pipes. Check to make sure that the electrical outlets are properly grounded and covered, and that the kitchen and bathrooms have GFCI breakers.


Home Staging


Home staging is how you get your home ready for the market so that it appeals to a large number of people. Staging is the simplest and least expensive way to increase the sale price, but it is also the one most frequently overlooked.

What areas of your home should you think about with regards to staging? All of them! This includes:

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  • Exterior Lawn and Walkways

  • Windows (Interior and Exterior)

  • Rugs

  • Closets

  • Attic and/or Basement Space

  • Furniture

  • Cosmetic Repairs


De-cluttering usually takes the most time. Make sure that the countertops everywhere (especially in the kitchen and baths) are almost bare. All surface areas should be free of clutter. All personal photos should be removed, making the home as depersonalized and neutral looking as possible.

There are many excellent videos on YouTube that explain home staging. Here’s a link with a great overview.

Work with us

With their complementary communication styles, responsiveness, competence, and ability to truly listen, Ellie and Liz enable their clients to feel at ease throughout any real estate transaction. They would welcome the opportunity to be your next real estate advisors.

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Liz & Ellie Local

(617) 444-9644

lizandellie@compass.com

1100 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138

Liz & Ellie Local is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass Massachusets, LLC d/b/a Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by equal housing opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage. 

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