Seller's Guide

Listing your property is a significant decision and it is essential to select a Real Estate Agent with in-depth knowledge of how to market your property and put your property in front of local, national, and global buyers. Your Real Estate Agent must have an expert handle on the local market as well as the rules and regulations on a state and local level to ensure that there is proper due diligence before listing your property. Your Real Estate Agent should be a dedicated, top-notch negotiator, who puts your needs, as a client, first.

With a network of over 1,000 offices in 81 countries, Glacier Sotheby's International Realty provides unparalleled access to global real estate markets. We have the experience and contacts to facilitate international real estate transactions and to assist clients who wish to buy Western and Northwestern Montana real estate from abroad. Additionally, our global connections and powerhouse media partners allow our agents to market your listing across numerous main stream and luxury platforms while having exceptional knowledge of their local communities and markets.

Glacier Sotheby's International Realty agents offer best-in-class real estate knowledge and apply that knowledge to a diverse real estate market where properties vary from off-grid cabins to multi-million dollar luxury estates. We give you, our client, unparalleled marketing regardless of where your property falls on the spectrum:

• First Homes
• Luxury Homes
• Luxury Estates
• Multi-Family Homes Including:
  • Condos
  • Townhomes
  • Multi-plexes
• Exclusive Golf Community Homes
• Lakefront Homes
• Off-grid Homes
• Vacant Land
• Home purchase that is dependent upon the sale of another property.
• Homes Situated in Glacier National Park
• Ski Homes & Condos

Congratulations, you have selected your Glacier Sotheby's International Realty agent to list your home. Your Real Estate Agent will want to meet with you at least three times during the listing process. Your Real Estate Agent will perform the following actions:

• Research your home through all documented public records to learn about your home and property. 
• Research your home, your neighborhood, and properties comparable to yours.
• Your Real Estate Agent will meet with you to tour your property. A property walk-through is the first, and most important step in generating an Comparative Market Analysis for your property.
• During this meeting, you and your Real Estate Agent will complete all contracts and paperwork related to listing your home in accordance with Montana Real Estate Law.
• At this time you and your Real Estate Agent may wish to discuss a complimentary home warranty purchase.
• Once all documents are finalized, your Real Estate Agent will discuss scheduling professional photography and videography with you.
• Once you have settled on a date to schedule the photography/videography, you and your Real Estate Agent can discuss the best way to prepare your home for photos and video.

• Most recent tax bills (county, city, and any other tax district) 
• Utility information including providers and billing amounts for the past 12 months
• Covenants, restrictions, and bylaws 
• Homeowners Association name, phone number, and fees
• Your existing title insurance policy 
• Security system, if applicable
• Any current service contracts
•  Current home-related warranties
• Home plans or architectural drawings, if available
• A list of items excluded from the sale

• Once all documents are finalized, and photographs have been taken, your Real Estate Agent will then enter your listing in the Multiple Listing Services, (MLS). Once your listing is live in the MLS, your listing will be syndicated to Glacier Sotheby's International Realty's media partnership platforms. Your agent can explain this syndication.
• At the same time, your agent will have requested several marketing materials from our Glacier Sotheby's International Realty Marketing Team. They will design customized professional print materials as well as a compelling digital marketing strategy, to include a robust social media campaign.
• When your listing is live, your Real Estate Agent will schedule showings of qualified buyers and maintain contact with these buyers and their agents. You will be provided with feedback regarding these showings.
• You will receive weekly updates on all showing activity as well as updates on the local market.
• Your Real Estate Agent will continue to consult with the marketing team to keep your property at the top of mind and in front of prospective buyers.

When you receive an offer or multiple offers, your Real Estate Agent will perform the following:

• Present you with all offers that have been received. 
• Your Real Estate Agent will represent your best interest in all phases of negotiation.
• Draft legally binding contracts between you and the prospective buyer.
• Help you navigate and monitor all contracts, contingencies, and stipulations. 
• Coordinate the closing and guide you through the closing process.

You can respond to an offer in one of three ways: 

Accept it as is. 

Counteroffer: You may make changes to the offer, such as adjustments to the price, closing date, conditions, or contingencies. 

• When you counter the offer, the prospective buyer may accept, reject, or make another counteroffer in response. 

Rejection of the offer: You may simply reject the offer. This may terminate the negotiation.

Either party can withdraw an offer or counteroffer until there is an acceptance in writing. If you are evaluating an offer, time is of the essence.

When both parties come to an agreement the offer is considered "accepted." There will be a specific period of time within which contingencies need to be satisfied. Possible examples may be a home inspection report or the securing of financing.

An offer may be considered firm once all contingencies have been satisfied or removed.

Price is only one of many factors to weigh as you evaluate and negotiate an offer. You may be motivated to simply secure the optimal price. However, the seller should also weigh many other considerations such as:

• Buyer's desired completion date
• Possession and adjustment dates
• Buyer's desired inclusions
• Contingencies attached to the offer
• Earnest money

Your Glacier Sotheby's International Realty agent is an expert and will help you evaluate each incoming offers.

At certain periods in time, you may find yourself in a situation where there are multiple offers for your property. Your Glacier Sotheby's International Realty agent is an expert at guiding you through this sensitive and complex negotiation process.

As the closing day nears, your Real Estate Agent will monitor the progress of your transaction to ensure there aren't any last-minute issues or concerns.

On closing day, legal ownership of your property will be transferred to the buyer. Your title company will receive funds from the buyer, and your title company will provide you with a statement of adjustments. This list itemizes all costs payable at closing, including legal fees, taxes, and other closing costs. Finally, funds will be used to discharge your mortgage, if applicable. The remaining proceeds transferred to you.

Closing costs associated with selling a home include adjustments, real estate commission, mortgage discharge fee, capital gains tax (if applicable), and legal fees.

When the transition is closed and recorded, your Glacier Sotheby's International Realty Real Estate Agent will help coordinate the transfer of keys and other agreed-upon items to the buyer.