Seller Guide

SELLER GUIDE YO U R CO M P R E H E N S I V E G U I D E TO SELLING A HOME IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE

REAL ESTATE RE-IMAGINED

ABOUT SHAMILLE As a Nashville native with deep roots in Middle Tennessee, no matter where Shamille’s adventures may lead, Music City will always be home. She has witnessed great transformation—from an isolated downtown into a bustling, sprawling metropolis on the rise. Her intimate knowledge of the region fuels her enthusiasm to make her hometown yours.

Shamille purchased her first home in East Nashville over a decade ago, and it ignited her passion for real estate. Reflecting on her personal experience as a first-time homebuyer, she strives to create a seamless experience for clients of her own. As a trusted real estate advisor, she understands that buying and/ or selling a home is a complex and deeply personal experience. There is a lot at stake both financially and emotionally.

She is committed to elevating real estate transactions into meaningful and magical exchanges. With laser-focus, determination, and a healthy serving of can-do, she strives to ensure that the client process is turn-key, authentic, and expressly theirs. From the first “hello” to close—transforming houses to homes, be it for now, investment or long term.

Shamille has an extensive professional background in sales, marketing and project management. She began her career in real estate in 2018 and since sold over $18 million in sales throughout Nashville’s urban core.

WORKING WITH SHAMILLE

“Shemi went above and beyond for us. We were starting our search from out of state, and she worked closely with us to get a virtual breakdown of choices and helped us narrow things down so accurately that it only took a few tours to find our home—which we LOVE! We felt very secure and informed throughout the whole process.

We have already recommended her to other friends in the market that have bought a home from her and are very happy as well. She knows the area better than anyone, has impeccable taste and home knowledge, and is a highly respected powerhouse you want on your side.”

LAURA R.

“Shamille helped us with selling our house, and the experience was amazing. She gave us an outline of what to expect at the outset and executed that plan flawlessly. She prepared us as we got our house ready to go to market and helped ease our stress. She came in under the budget for the repairs, answered all of our questions, and was extremely easy to work with. I highly recommend her. Shamille is a professional REALTOR® who is knowledgeable about the area and really made this process as easy and stress-free as possible. She had all the contacts to help us get our house ready to sell. We would recommend her to anyone looking to purchase or sell a home.”

CHARLES R.

“With Shamille, the process was seamless!

My situation was a little tricky, as I was selling and buying simultaneously. Having the right REALTOR® in this situation is crucial. Thankfully, I had a REALTOR® that was proactive and was able to navigate the multitude of things involved in the highly competitive real estate market each step along the way.

Her attention to detail and the thoroughness of dissecting the process for a novice customer like me was a godsend. I would highly recommend Shamille Wharton to anyone who is interested in real estate.

From buying and selling, to development and investment opportunities, she’s a professional who works diligently for her clients.”

BARBARA S. “We had the best experience with Shamille as our REALTOR®! We were moving to a new town and didn’t know much about the area. She was very knowledgeable about Nashville and the different neighborhoods and areas to live in. She listened to our needs and she was very patient with us throughout the journey of buying a new home in a new city. She was a wealth of information as she guided us through the entire process.

We couldn’t have asked for a better REALTOR® or experience. We highly recommend her!

And we absolutely LOVE our new home!”

GINNY M.

“Shamille is super knowledgable, hard working, always responsive, and provided quick feedback and ideas.

She was professional and dependable before, during, and after the sale of our house.”

MICHELLE B. “Shamille Wharton was wonderful. She is a wealth of knowledge and went above and beyond for me throughout the entire process. As a first time home buyer, she held my hand and educated me on things I did not know. I would use her again and highly recomend her to anyone buying or selling a house.

Five stars for her!”

CYNTHIA L. “Shamille was able to negotiate a very difficult sale of farmland and a farmhouse. The sale was more difficult than normal because the land needed to be surveyed and separated from a larger parcel. She expertly negotiated easement rights and various details that are not common in regular home sales! She did an amazing job protecting my interests by anticipating problems ahead of time and solving them before I even knew they existed. You will not find a more dedicated, intelligent, or problem-solving REALTOR®!”

TODD B.

FIVE STEP SELLING PROCESS PREPARE

MARKET

OFFER

INSPECT

CLOSE

•

Define your goals for selling your home

•

Prepare your property per Shamille’s recommendations

•

Determine list price

•

List in MLS

•

Implement customized marketing plan

•

Show your property

•

Receive an offer

•

Negotiate to sell

•

Negotiations include price, terms, and timing

•

Buyer inspects home

•

Negotiate repairs, if needed

•

Lender performs appraisal

•

Sign all closing papers

•

Deed and title transferred to buyer

•

Funds transferred to seller

YOUR HOME IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET THE PARKS DIFFERENCE Parks advocates for their clients and guides them through real estate transactions with extraordinary service, uncompromising ethics, and exceptional knowledge.

Their group of outstanding agents and support team have a strong commitment to service, integrity, and professionalism.

They build lifetime relationships by providing unparalleled experiences for our clients.

Parks’ marketing ideology is expressed via their internal experts and promoted through a presence that spans local, domestic and international markets.

Real estate is their passion, and Parks and Shamille will not rest until your home is sold.

WHO PARKS IS Parks has been in business for over 45 years and is honored to be consistently recognized for their excellence.

They are one of Nashville Business Journal’s top-ranked residential brokerage firms, at the top of the charts for national independent firms, and they are highly ranked in the Real Trends Top 500 Report. Parks is recognized as a Top Workplace by The Tennessean because of their focus on their staff and agents.

GLOBAL IS THE NEW LOCAL Parks is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the world’s largest global network of premier locally branded companies dominated by many of the world’s most powerful independent luxury brokerages.

LeadingRE® and its luxury marketing division, Luxury Portfolio International, connects luxury sellers with high-end homebuyers from around the world.

So while the Parks brand is uniquely local, their reach is global.

COMPANY RESULTS

#1

1,500+

Largest Real Estate Firm Nashville Business Journal

Agent Network Parks | Pilkerton

$7.4B

17%

21%

11,890

Total Sales Volume #1 in Middle Tennessee

Luxury Market Share #1 in Middle Tennessee

Market Share #1 in Middle Tennessee

Buyers and Sellers Served Annually

99.9%

70+

Average List to Sales Price

Countries Accessible Through Their Global Referral Network Leading Real Estate Companies Of The World®

PRICING YOUR HOME WHY IS ACCURATE PRICING SO CRITICAL? Don’t test the market. Accurate pricing is the first and one of the most important aspects when selling your home. The combination of attractive pricing and packaging are essential for a successful sale. The first 2-3 weeks on the market are crucial as buyers display high interest in new listings.

Markets are dynamic, and the price you set has an expiration date.

FACTORS IN DETERMINING PRICE Using optimal positioning and strategic pricing, Shamille is highly trained to ensure your home is adequately prepared for market and will sell for the highest price in the shortest amount of time.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SALE OF YOUR HOME PRICE & TERMS

NETWORK

TIMELINE & MOTIVATION

ADVERTISING Direct Mail Newsletter Website Photography

CONDITION OF PROPERTY SHAMILLE

SELLER AVAILABILITY

MARKETING Signs MLS Showing Center Agent-to-Agent

MARKET CONDITIONS

ECONOMY Industry Relocation Disposable Income

FINANCIAL MARKET Interest Rates Loan Programs Borrowing Capacity

LOCATION

COMPETITION

Community Area County/State

Resale New Construction Renovation

HOW BUYERS FIND A HOME We live in a digital world, and the home search process is no different. Buyers rely heavily on the internet, mobile apps, and their real estate agent in their search for homes. While 95% of buyers used the internet in their search, over 88% used a real estate agent to purchase their home. Online home search tools and real estate agents are vital in the home buying process.

BUYERS STATS The internet has become an essential tool in the home search process.

95% 50% 88%

of buyers used the internet at some point in their search of buyers used the internet as the first step in the search process of buyers use a real estate agent to purchase a home

EVERY HOME HAS A STORY Conducting a compelling marketing campaign is a blend of art and science. At Parks, our goal is to capture the attention and imagination of the right prospective buyers for your home. We strive to honor each and every property we sell by designing custom branding that tells your story in a unique and authentic way.

COMING SOON “PRE MARKETING”

LUXURY PORTFOLIO

Coming soon or “pre marketing” is designed to generate a buzz among buyers, helping to line up potential offers from the ensuing hype and attention. Additionally, it helps to gauge buyer interest and can result in a much quicker sale of your property.

The award-winning LuxuryPortfolio.com represents more high-end properties than any other luxury network, leveraging visually stunning photography and video technology to create a cutting edge experience for buyers when browsing the world’s outstanding luxury properties.

SIGNAGE We install custom, well-branded signage in the best location for your property.

Signs are designed for maximum visibility.

PROFESSIONAL VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY Gorgeous photographs and video walk-throughs—buyers want it all. In today’s digital world, quality imagery is the most important vehicle for projecting the vision of home design. Visually stunning video and photography is vital to conveying the unique message of your property.

More people will view your home online than will ever visit it personally. Getting and holding their attention online with visually appealing professional photography is one way to ensure the probability of an in-person showing.

THE PARKS WEBSITE To guarantee maximum online exposure, Parks will feature your property on the company website. The website will display high-resolution photos and an original write-up of your property that will highlight the key features of the property.

Our website is optimized for both desktop and mobile users, to ensure a seamless browsing experience.

WEBSITE SYNDICATION It’s no surprise that the internet is the #1 resource where buyers are looking for their homes. A recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) survey shows that 50% of buyers used the internet as the first step in their home search.

Through listing syndication, we maximize your property’s exposure through hundreds of websites that reach local, national, and international home buyers.

SOCIAL MEDIA Today’s buyers are social. At Parks, we expertly navigate the social media world. Our in-house social media experts consult with Shamille to craft a distinctive narrative for your property and establish a diverse presence across multiple social media platforms. Through this message, we are able to promote your property and reach existing and new clients.

PRINT Custom brochures, flyers, and postcards are professionally designed and meticulously crafted by our in-house design team.

Clean, luxurious design, rich colors, and a unique, thoughtfully crafted message align your property with the level of sophistication sought out by today’s buyers.

ONLINE LISTING SYNDICATION

DIRECT DIGITAL

RELOCATION EXPOSURE

Email is a highly-effective strategy when reaching new buyers and our network of real estate agents. Our in-house marketing team will create a custom email campaign that brings your property to the buyer’s hand. By diversifying our marketing campaigns across multiple mediums, including email, we are able to cultivate significantly more interest for your property.

Years of combined work in real estate has connected us to professional agents all over the world and allows us to assist clients in buying or selling a home anywhere in the United States or across the globe. Parks is also part of a preferred broker network that partners with third party relocation management companies referring business to us daily.

AGENT-TO-AGENT

Continued corporate relocation training and coaching through the relocation department help to establish and promote our real estate professionals, making new connections and expanding their buyer pool. With memberships to all the local chambers, we continue our outreach to local businesses offering various services.

According to NAR’s most recent Home Buyer Profile, 88% of buyers use a real estate agent to purchase their home. At Parks, our agents dedicate the time to actively market your property to other agents through networking, emails, phone calls, and a strong social media component. Our goal is to create a buzz around your property.

THE COST OF SELLING A HOME As you prepare to sell your property, it is important to sit down and figure out what the true cost will be. As with any large venture, there are a multitude of costs associated with selling and most of these costs can chip away at your net gain.

EXISTING MORTGAGE PAYOFF If you own a home that has a mortgage, you have to pay off the loan the same day that you close on the sale of the house. This payoff will include any remaining principal, accrued interest, and prepayment penalties, if applicable.

HOME EQUITY LOANS If you have borrowed against the equity in your home, you will have to pay that off at the sale of your home.

CLOSING COSTS Closing costs associated with the sale of your home will be listed on your settlement statement which you will receive from your title company. There are closing costs for both buyer and seller, and in some cases, the buyer may ask that the seller pay for a portion or all of their closing costs. Closing costs typically include title insurance, recording fees, pro-rated taxes, and real estate agent commissions. Closing costs will be deducted from any proceeds you receive from the sale of your home.

MOVING EXPENSES Moving can be a very expensive endeavor.

Whether you are moving across town or to a new city, it’s important to calculate the cost of moving when determining the true cost of selling your home.

TOP STAGING TIPS

STAGING AND IMPROVEMENTS

D E C LU T T E R YO U R H O M E

From the moment your home hits the market, it needs to look its very best. Homes that appear well-maintained, both inside and out, are perceived as more desirable and valuable.

Depending on your home’s condition, there are four ways that will help your home impress buyers: enhance your home’s curb appeal, repairs and upgrades, declutter, and staging.

Improving the aesthetic of your home to attract buyers, coupled with a great pricing strategy, typically results in less days spent on the market and often yields a higher price.

Clear out personal items; remember that buyers will look everywhere, including your closets and cabinets.

MAKE IT SHINE Your home should be “hotel clean.” Hire a cleaning company if you don’t have time to clean extensively.

S TAY N E U T R A L

KEEP GRASS GREEN AND TIDY Your front yard creates your home’s first impression to prospective buyers. Make sure your lawn is green and trimmed, and your shrubs and flower beds should be well-tended.

Paint the walls a fresh, neutral color.

CLEAN CARPETS Clean or replace soiled or worn carpeting.

TOP 3 SPACES TO DECLUTTER 1. Kitchen 2. Living Room 3. Closets

FURNISH WITH A PURPOSE Buyers want to imagine themselves in the home. Rooms that lack a clear function are confusing, so remove conflicting furniture and choose a specific purpose for each space.

HOW STAGING IMPACTS A BUYER

Easier to Visualize as a Future Home - 81%

More Willing to Walk Through Home Viewed Online - 46%

Positively Impacts Home Value if Decorated to Buyer’s Taste - 45%

% 0 10

% 80

% 60

% 40

20

%

Overlook Home’s Faults - 28%

!

Buyers stay in a vacant home an average of 5 minutes, but tour a furnished home for an average of 40 minutes.

GETTING AN OFFER When you receive an offer on your house, it is imperative that you review it carefully.

The offer tells you the price the buyer is willing to pay and under what terms.

REVIEW OFFERS

COUNTEROFFERS

A good offer can be close to the list price, sometimes exactly your asking price or even over list price, depending on the market at the time you list your home.

A real estate counteroffer is generated by the seller after a buyer has submitted an offer to purchase and the terms are not agreeable to the seller. Typically, a counteroffer states that the seller has accepted the buyer’s offer subject to particular changes to the offer.

If the offer is less than you wanted, look at the contract as a whole. Perhaps the buyer is assuming some of the closing expenses. Consider possession and financing terms, as well.

The following particulars can address such items as: •

Higher price

As you review the offer, remember the time on the market to find another buyer is an additional expense.

•

Refusal to pay for buyer closing costs or home warranty

•

Altering the closing date

Once you’ve read the offer, you have several choices:

•

Modifying home sale contingency time frames

•

Accept the terms with no changes and sign the offer

•

Excluding personal property

•

Make a counteroffer to the buyer by making some changes

MANAGING MULTIPLE OFFERS

•

Reject the offer entirely

NEGOTIATION AND COUNTEROFFERS There is no limit to the number of times a seller and buyer can go back and forth when negotiating the terms of the sale. Almost anything can be a bargaining point. You may then accept the offer, reject it, or counter it.

Countering the offer begins negotiation.

When the number of buyers outweighs the existing housing inventory, it’s not uncommon for sellers to receive multiple offers on their property. When there are multiple offers, the seller typically takes one of three actions: •

Accepts the most favorable offer

•

Counters all offers to give everyone a chance to come back with a better bid in an effort to get the best price and terms (highest and best)

•

Counters the offer closest to the price and terms the seller is seeking

FROM CONTRACT TO CLOSE Once you have an accepted offer on your property, the contract to close process begins. Shamille will monitor these critical timelines and work closely with the buyer’s agent to make sure all contract contingencies are met.

THE CLOSING As a seller, you will transfer the property to the buyer, fully pay off any mortgages, and receive your sales proceeds. If you are using the proceeds for a new home purchase on the same day or shortly thereafter, it is particularly important that your closing runs smoothly.

Shamille will be there with you at the closing table to answer any questions you may have.

REALTOR® | TNLIC# 344969 | M 865.809.8917 | O 615.522.5100 SHAMILLE@PARKSATHOME.COM | SHAMILLEWHARTON.COM 1610 WEST END AVENUE SUITE 115, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 37203