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The 58 Group
Seller
Guide
What happens between the decision to sell and the day you hand over the keys.
Jeannette Peña · Broker Associate
713 367 8082 · jeannette@jeannettepena.com
www.the58group.com
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About Me
Broker Associate, Architect & Residential Real Estate Advisor
The 58 Group | JLA Realty
A Realtor since 2007, Jeannette Peña is a Broker Associate, Architect, and trusted residential real estate advisor with nearly two decades of experience serving buyers and sellers throughout the Houston market.
Recognized as a Top Producer and Five Star Real Estate Agent, Jeannette combines extensive market knowledge with a strategic, hands-on approach to every transaction. Her experience spans changing market cycles, giving her the perspective to understand not only what a home is worth, but how to position it, present it, and negotiate it effectively in today's market.
Her architectural background adds a distinctive perspective when evaluating a property — understanding its layout, functionality, features, and how buyers will experience the home. For sellers, that translates into thoughtful preparation, strategic pricing, strong presentation, and a marketing plan designed around the property rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Above all, Jeannette believes experienced representation means more than marketing a home. It means providing clear advice, anticipating challenges, negotiating confidently, and protecting her client's interests from the first conversation through closing.
Designations
ABR®
Accredited Buyer's Representative
CIPS
Certified International Property Specialist
RENE
Real Estate Negotiation Expert
ALHS
Accredited Luxury Home Specialist
CHMS
Certified Home Marketing Specialist
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The Process
From decision to keys
01
Prepare
Walkthrough and preparation list, repairs, cleaning and staging, improvement records gathered.
1–3 weeks
02
Price
CMA, active competition, recent solds, and the recommended list price agreed together.
Before launch
03
Present
Photography, floor plan, virtual tour, and the listing description written.
2–4 days
04
Launch
Live in the MLS, syndicated to the portals, campaign running, first weekend of showings.
Week 1
05
Measure
Showings, written feedback, online activity, and what the competition does.
Weeks 1–2
06
Negotiate
Offers evaluated on net proceeds and certainty of close, then terms negotiated.
1–7 days
07
Under contract
Inspection, repairs, appraisal, title and survey, buyer financing tracked to clear-to-close.
30–45 days
08
Close
Settlement statement reviewed, documents signed, funded, keys handed over.
Closing day
Timelines vary with the market and with your loan payoff, but the order never changes — and the first two weeks on the market decide most of it.
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Selling
Preparation & Price
Preparation
Evaluate Market Conditions: Research the current real estate market to understand your home's value.
Hire a Real Estate Agent: Choose a knowledgeable agent to assist with the selling process.
Home Assessment: Conduct an initial assessment to identify any necessary repairs or improvements.
Setting the Price
Home Appraisal: Consider getting a professional appraisal to determine an accurate listing price.
Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): Your agent will provide a CMA to help set a competitive price.
Price creates a position in the market. Homes priced correctly sell in about a month at essentially full asking price; homes priced on hope are still sitting after three. The difference is the first two weeks.
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Selling
Prepare Your Home for Sale
Declutter and Clean: Thoroughly clean and declutter your home to make it more appealing.
Repairs and Improvements: Complete any necessary repairs and consider minor improvements to increase your home's value.
Staging: Stage your home to highlight its best features.
Worth gathering before we go live
Dates and receipts for the roof, HVAC, and water heater
Warranties still in force, with transfer terms
Survey, if you have one
HOA documents, dues, and transfer fees
Mortgage payoff and lien information
Utility providers and average monthly costs
Documented improvements are the difference between a buyer believing your home is better and a buyer being able to prove it to an appraiser.
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Marketing
How your home is presented
When you list your property with me, you can expect a full-service marketing plan designed to showcase your home and attract the right buyers. Here's what you can expect:
Professional Photos
High-Quality Photography: A professional photographer captures your home so it stands out online.
Virtual Tours: A 360-degree virtual tour or video walkthrough for an immersive experience for remote buyers.
Compelling Listing Description
Engaging Write-Up: A detailed description that highlights the unique features and benefits of your home.
Highlighting Key Features: Emphasizing upgrades, energy-efficient features, spacious layouts, and desirable neighborhood amenities.
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Marketing
Where your home will be seen
Enhanced Exposure
HAR Platinum + Homes.com Member benefits give your property greater visibility, expanded digital reach, and enhanced positioning beyond standard listing exposure.
MLS listing — the source of record every portal reads from
Syndication to national brokerage and partner sites
Social media — Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Buyers do not all look in the same place. They look where they already are — which is why the MLS record has to be right before it goes anywhere else.
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Marketing
Beyond the MLS
Open Houses and Showings
Scheduled and promoted open houses when they serve the listing.
Flexible private showings for serious buyers.
Virtual open houses for buyers who cannot attend in person.
Marketing Materials
Professional brochures and flyers with high-quality images.
Yard signage with contact information and website links.
Targeted email campaigns to buyers and agents in my network.
Networking
My database of buyers, past clients, and referral partners.
Agents already working this area, contacted directly.
Broker tours to showcase your home to local professionals.
Online Advertising
Google Ads aimed at buyers searching for homes in your area.
Meta pay-per-click campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, targeted by location, interest, and behavior.
Boosted posts to widen reach on the listing's key weekends.
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Selling
Offers & Under Contract
Receiving Offers
Review Offers: Evaluate all offers received, on net proceeds and certainty of close, not headline price.
Negotiate Terms: Negotiate the best terms, including sales price, closing date, and contingencies.
Accept an Offer: Accept the most favorable offer and sign a purchase agreement.
Under Contract
Home Inspection: The buyer will likely schedule a home inspection. Be prepared to negotiate any repair requests.
Appraisal: If the buyer is using a mortgage, an appraisal will be conducted to confirm the home's value.
Title Search and Escrow: The title company will conduct a title search to ensure there are no issues with ownership. The escrow process begins.
The highest offer and the best offer are frequently not the same offer.
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Selling
Closing & After the Sale
Closing the Deal
Review Closing Documents: Carefully review all documents before the closing date.
Closing Costs: Be prepared to pay closing costs, which may include agent commissions, title insurance, and other fees.
Sign Documents: Sign all required documents to finalize the sale.
Verify wire instructions by phone: Confirm any payoff or proceeds wire directly with the title company. Never from an email alone.
After the Sale
Move Out: Ensure all belongings are removed from the property by the closing date.
Transfer Utilities: Cancel or transfer utility services to the new owner.
Forward Mail: Update your address with USPS and notify all relevant contacts of your move.
Cancel Homeowner's Insurance: Effective the day after closing, with no lapse if you are buying again.
Congratulations.
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Checklist
Your selling checklist
Before we go live
Walkthrough and preparation list reviewed
Repairs completed
Decluttered, cleaned, staged
Improvement dates, receipts and warranties gathered
Survey and HOA documents located
Mortgage payoff requested
Listing agreement and disclosures signed
Photography and floor plan scheduled
List price agreed date
On the market
Live in the MLS date
Showing instructions and lockbox set
Weekly written update and showing feedback
Two-week review of activity and competition
Under contract
Contract executed date
Option fee and earnest money received by title
Inspection completed, repair requests answered
Appraisal completed
Title commitment and survey delivered
HOA resale certificate ordered
Buyer's financing confirmed clear to close
Closing date
Settlement statement reviewed
Proceeds wire instructions verified by phone
Utilities cancelled or transferred
Property empty and clean, keys and remotes handed over
Insurance cancelled the day after closing
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Jeannette Peña
Broker Associate | Lic #0576387
713 367 8082 · jeannette@jeannettepena.com
www.the58group.com