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Carrie Johnson

Ready to start the next chapter?

There is a lot to consider when selling your ​property. It can all be overwhelming. Choosing the ​right agent is key to making sure your process is ​less stressful and successful.

Let’s break it down.

Exterior of a House
Snow Covered Trees

deridder | Fort johnson | Lake Charles

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Meet with carrie

We will discuss your needs and plans. Where are you planning on moving after selling?

Once I have seen your property in person and gathered all the details of your house, I can research sold properties close to you and prepare a CMA. We will be able set a competitive price to list your home.

I will explain the terms of the LISTING AGREEMENT and all needed documents to list the property.

The Property Information Form will help me with the details.

lrec mandated forms

  • Agency Disclosures Form
  • Customer Information Pamphlet
  • Dual Agent
  • Listing Agreement
  • Property Disclosures
  • Sewer Disclosures
  • Lead Base Paint

your

Louisiana

realtor

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preparing to list

A clean and neutral look helps buyers to imagine what life would be like in your house. You will need to deep clean and declutter, make any needed repairs and have a spare set of keys made for the lock box. Here are a few things to consider when maximizing your house’s potential.

exterior

  • Focus on curb appeal
  • Pressure wash house and concrete
  • Paint the front door and mailbox
  • Apply fresh paint or stain to wooden fence
  • Weed and mulch flower beds
  • Trim and maintain lawn
  • Clean gutters and trim branches away from house

Interior

  • Apply fresh paint
  • Update light fixtures and replace burnt out bulbs
  • Minimize family pictures

let me carrie you through real estate

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Finalize Listing

  • Complete property and sewer disclosures
  • Finalize all needed documents
  • Professional pictures taken
  • Videos made
  • Open house scheduled
  • Create custom property website
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marketing

  • House goes live on the MLS
  • Sign posted
  • Lock box is placed on the property

The second you sign with me, I go to work on marketing your home! COMING SOON MARKETING, ONLINE MARKETING, SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING and OPEN HOUSE MARKETING are all part of the success of getting your house seen by the most potential buyers, selling your house faster and for more money than the competition.

Buyers in today's market first start their search online. We will meet your potential buyer where they are... Online! Not only will your property be featured in the local MLS, It will also be syndicated to literally hundreds of other listing sites.

The property will be shared with my ERA Sarver agents and their buyers.


A sign will be placed in your yard as well and open house signs before the event. These will be placed at the most opportune times to gain the most exposure.

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SHOWINGS and safety

Now that your home is online, many know that it is for sale. For your safety, NEVER let a stranger into your home. While it is likely that it is just someone that saw the sign in your yard and is interested in getting a quick look, you just never know. Ask them politely to call your agent who handles all showings.


A secure lockbox will be used. The lockbox holds the keys to the house and is typically found at the front of the property that only licensed real estate agents have access to. All showings are scheduled and will need your approval before they come.


A few tips are listed below to help you.

FLEXIBLE

Be as flexible and accommodating to the buyers schedule as possible. We want to avoid having any missed opportunities

DAILY CLEANING

Keep up with daily messes. Wipe down kitchen and bathroom counters before leaving for the day. Empty trash cans to avoid any odors. Keep laundry baskets handy and throw everything in them and into the car.

FURRY FRIENDS

Keep pet areas clean. Clean up after your pets and wash their bedding regularly. Hide pet food or litter. Not everyone is a pet person and it may hinder a potential buyers ability to picture themselves living in your home. Have a safe plan for them for when people arrive.

natural light

Open blinds and curtains and let in as much natural light as possible. Leave lights on before you leave for a showing.

temperture

Keep the room temperature comfortable. This demonstrates to buyers that the HVAC is working properly.

vacate

Having a seller present can make buyers feel awkward. We want to make the buyers feel at home and stay awhile.

personal items

Make sure you place all valuables and prescriptions out of sight and in a safe place. This includes even mail left out (which may contain personal information and bank statements).

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Offers and negotiations

I will present and explain all offers as soon as I receive them. All offers have a deadline to respond. You will have the opportunity to negotiate the terms with the buyer. You can accept, reject or counter.

Price is just one of many considerations when deciding which offer is best for your home. Sometimes an offer comes in high, but the buyer asks you to pay a percentage of the buyer’s closing costs or some specific closing costs.


Here are some of the other factors to consider.

contigencies

The fewer contingencies on an offer the better. Shorter time periods are also valuable.

pre- approval

Assures a home seller that the buyer can get the loan they need.

all cash buyer

A cash offer is usually more appealing than a finance offer as the seller doesn’t need to worry about the bank approving the loan.

loan types

A conventional loan is often the least complicated. This is an appealing choice for sellers. An FHA and VA loans require certain approvals.

offer price

Of course, price matters too! If a high offer will cost you more in closing costs, repairs, or other factors—then it probably won’t be the best offer for you.

timeline

You might need to close quickly to move on to the next adventure, or you might need to extend the closing date to allow time for your next home to be ready. Choosing the offer with the closing time that fits your needs will be most attractive to you.

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due diligence period

Typically, inspections will need to be scheduled ASAP to stay within due diligence period that was set in the BUY SELL AGREEMENT.

There is usually no cost to the seller with a general home inspection. The buyer will hire a home inspection company of their choice.

A home inspection may reveal potential and necessary repairs. Upon completion the buyer can accept as is, negotiate repairs, or declare null in void.

Common problems could be outdated electrical, leaky plumbing, mold, structural cracks, foundation issues, heating/cooling system defects, roof problems, and more. The buyer also obtains insurance quotes and chooses the title company that will handle closing.

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Appraisal

If the buyer is seeking a loan to purchase your property they will need to have an appraisal performed by the lender to verify the home is in fact worth the loan amount. As a seller, we want the property to appraise for at least the sale amount or more. It is very difficult to successfully contest an appraisal. An experienced agent demonstrates certain strategies to reveal the value of the home prior to the appraisal. Appraisal value comes in or above, you are in the clear! Value comes in below you can renegotiate the sales price or other terms, the buyer covers the difference, or cancel and re-list.

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Final details

  • Lender issues a clear to close
  • Final walk through for the buyer
  • Review CD (closing disclosures) prior to closing
  • Schedule closing
  • Schedule utility cut off dates
  • Change address with the post office

what to bring to closing

  • Garage door openers
  • Keys
  • Government ID

closing disclosures

Closing disclosures will be issued 72 hours before closing takes place. This is a breakdown of the money. Reviewing the statement is important to ensure that all expenses are accounted for accurately. I will look over them with you and address any issues with the title company before closing takes place.

what the seller commonly pays for

  • Mortgage balance
  • Seller expenses
  • Taxes and insurance prorated up to the closing date
  • Real estate agent commission
  • Any claims against the property
  • Title insurance policy
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Closing day

Closing day has arrived! You are moved out and ready to hand over the keys.

Closing is the point in the transaction when the buyer, seller, and all participating parties have fulfilled their legal obligations to one another. The attorney will explain all documents before you sign They will look over the contract to determine what payments are owed by who and make sure all payoffs are completed. Now the buyer’s title is recorded and you receive all payoffs that are due to you. After closing let your home insurance agent know and cancel policy. Make sure to keep all closing documents for taxes.

client reviews

from previous sellers

mindy k.

Very knowledgeable and always ready to help. Carrie goes above and beyond! I HIGHLY recommend her!

james h.

Carrie is awesome! When I moved there she was the only one who went out of her way to help us find a home. She made it so easy that when I moved a few years later I didn’t bother trying to contact anyone else to sell my home, I knew we were going to be in good hands. Thanks Carrie!

melvin m.

Thank you so much Carrie. You did an awesome job. We will most definitely be using you in the future.

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C : 337.401.0040

O : 337.462.2041

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sellingtheboot@gmail.com

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1601 N. Pine St. DeRidder, La 70634

3090 Colony Boulevard Leesville, La 71446

ERA Sarver Real Estate

Each Office Independenlty Owned and Operated | Licensed by the LREC