Have you decided to sell your house or apartment in Curaçao? Then there are several important steps you should take. In this article, we explain these steps one by one. Would you like to list your property with Livinggoed? Leave your details here and we will contact you as soon as possible.
1. Hiring a real estate agency?
Hiring a real estate agent costs money, but most agents work on a no-cure, no-pay basis without additional charges. If the agent does not sell your home, you will generally owe nothing; at Livinggoed, you will definitely pay nothing. An agent can often achieve a better price and sell the home more quickly. If you list your home now, Livinggoed’s commission starts at 2.75% of the sale price. Most agents charge 4% plus 6% turnover tax. Learn more in our article whether or not to hire a real estate agent.
whether or not to hire a real estate agent. In any case, make sure you choose an agent with a good reputation. You can check reviews or ask people you know about their experiences.
2. Preparing your home for sale
It is often wise to make a few improvements before putting your home on the market. This does not mean you need to renovate the entire property, but small improvements can sometimes make a big difference. A good real estate agent can advise you on this. These improvements can help your home sell faster and sometimes at a better price.
3. Determining the asking price
Have you already thought about the asking price? We often see sellers asking too much, thinking: “Maybe someone will pay that price,” or “It’s worth a try.” In reality, that buyer often never appears. Even if someone is interested, they usually need financing. The bank will then rely on an appraisal report, and if the value does not match the price, the deal often falls through. Buyers with substantial financial resources will often choose a property with a better price-to-quality ratio. Want to learn more about pricing? Read our articles about the asking price or the market value. A good real estate agent can help you determine a realistic and competitive price. Some agents promise a higher price just to convince you to list your property with them. In many cases this is simply a tactic to gain more listings.
4. Taking photos of the property
A good presentation of your home is essential. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and that impression is often decisive. Make sure the photos present a realistic view of the property. Some agents use photos that look impressive but do not reflect reality. When buyers visit the property and it does not match the photos, it can lead to disappointment.
A virtual tour allows potential buyers to explore the home online beforehand. This gives them a much better understanding of the property before scheduling a viewing. As a result, you will usually receive fewer viewings, but the buyers who do visit in person tend to be much more serious. This increases the likelihood of a successful sale.
At Livinggoed we can create a professional virtual tour free of charge when you list your property exclusively with us. You can see an example below.
5. Listing your property
Now it is time to market your home, but how will you reach potential buyers? Will you post it only on Facebook or advertise in a newspaper? Many people do not use Facebook or read a newspaper, so limiting your marketing to those audiences means missing many prospective buyers. Serious buyers often search for homes through Google. Choose a real estate agent whose listings are easy to find on both Google and Facebook. Livinggoed has more than 24,000 Facebook followers. Every property receives paid social-media advertising on Facebook and Instagram, and we also advertise through Google to attract more visitors to the website.
6. Property viewings
If you have followed the previous steps properly, you will start receiving viewing requests. Make sure the home is clean and tidy. Avoid unpleasant odors, dirty dishes in the kitchen, or clothes lying around. These may sound obvious, but they are common mistakes that can leave a negative impression. It is often also better for the owner not to be present during viewings, and to remove personal items such as framed photos. Buyers should be able to imagine the property as their future home.
7. Negotiations
Congratulations, you have received an offer! But is it an offer you are satisfied with? You may be happy with the offer, but it might still be possible to negotiate a better deal. Someone who is less emotionally involved can often provide valuable advice during negotiations. Price is not the only factor that can be negotiated. We have written an article aimed at buyers, but it is equally useful for sellers. Our blog about negotiating when buying a property provides more information.
8. The purchase agreement
Once an agreement has been reached during negotiations, it is time to draw up the purchase agreement. This document contains all agreements and conditions of the sale. The notary or your real estate agent can prepare this document. A notary will usually charge an additional fee for this service, while many agents include it in their services. At Livinggoed, we do not charge extra for this. It is important that the purchase agreement is properly drafted. In our blog you can read more about important elements of the contract , such as contingency clauses and the security deposit. After signing the agreement, the buyer has a three-day statutory reflection period. Once the agreement is signed, it is sent to the notary. When any contingencies have been resolved, the notary will proceed with preparing the deed of transfer, which both parties sign on the day of closing.
Once the agreement is signed, it is sent to the notary. When any contingencies have been resolved, the notary will proceed with preparing the deed of transfer, which both parties sign on the day of closing.
9. Inspection
The buyer has the right to inspect the property shortly before the transfer. It is wise to inspect the home together on the transfer date. If everything is as agreed, the transfer can proceed at the scheduled time.
10. Key handover
Congratulations! The buyer’s funds, or the buyer’s bank financing, have been deposited into the civil-law notary’s account. The deed can now be signed and the buyer receives the keys. The home is officially sold. The civil-law notary usually transfers the proceeds to your account within one week. Any real estate commission is deducted from the sale proceeds and paid directly to the agent.
Would you like to list your home?
Livinggoed can sell your home with commission starting at 2.75%, excluding 6% turnover tax. This rate includes our full range of services and all associated costs, from paid advertising to a professional virtual tour. Everything is offered on a no-cure, no-pay basis. No sale means no fee. Selling your home with excellent service and at the best possible price does not have to be expensive. Would you like to learn what Livinggoed can do for you? Leave your information at this page and we will contact you. You can also send us a message via WhatsApp !
This article provides a concise overview of the steps involved in selling a home. In practice, the process is more extensive than described above. We cannot guarantee that our blog articles are always error-free, complete, and current. No rights may therefore be derived from their content.
Have we made a mistake, or has something changed? Please send an email to robin@livinggoed.com. Thank you in advance!
