

Selling a home can be an exciting but also challenging experience. If you're planning to sell your East Bay home, it's important to be prepared and aware of what to expect throughout the process. This short guide is designed to provide savvy sellers like you with valuable insights and tips to navigate the sale of your property successfully.
DOWNLOAD TO ACCESS:
The Complete Guide to Selling A Home

Spring is here!
The Spring Real Estate Market is thriving, and we are seeing a significant increase in demand for homes in Voorhees, especially from millennials.
In fact, the current absorption rate in our area is only 3 months, which means that if no more homes come on the market, we will only be able to sustain the current demand for up to 3 months.
This is great news for anyone considering selling their home, as the high demand can lead to a boost in your bottom line.
If you are thinking about selling your home, now is the perfect time to do so. To get started, it's essential to focus on your curb appeal, which can significantly impact the value of your property. That's why we've put together a helpful checklist to help you get started.
Friendly reminder: Before you make a repair, be sure to check with a real estate agent to make sure it is worth your return on investment. Feel free to Book A Call with me if you have any questions or want a free consultation!
Are you a little behind on your spring cleaning? Grab a copy of the Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist that was featured last month.

30 Day Plan to Prepare Your Home for Sale

DOWNLOAD TO ACCESS:
The Complete Guide to Selling A Home
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Former RN, Galax Trailer Store owner, and cancer survivor, Linda delivers heart-centered care with deep local roots. This farmgirl grew up milking cows, making hay, and canning veggies – learning money's true value from her dad, Wade Smythers. She raised her own cattle herd to fund nursing school, plus sheep, cows, horses, and goats on her farm.
A lifelong learner who thrives on challenges, Linda mastered buying and transforming properties into dream homes. Her powerhouse work ethic made her a consistent top 20% producer at Keller Williams – all while working full-time as an RN. She sharpened negotiation and case-management skills to serve clients with unmatched care.
Now embracing her next chapter with Avante Realty Group – "forward-thinking and progressive" across languages. Avante channels entrepreneurial energy and cutting-edge marketing to dominate Galax's multicultural market. Ready to move forward? Let's connect!

Linda S. Freeman | Realtor & Broker
Brokered by Avante Realty Group
Welcome To The Virtual Seller Course Library
Learn the latest and most up to date marketing and sales tactics
to sell your home for top dollar.
The Pre-Market Quiz
"Will your home pass the test before going to market?"
Learn how to sell your home for top dollar right now
You may need to make a few changes before selling
Pre-Market Timelines
"Let's talk about the timelines before listing a home with us."
What you should expect when getting your home ready to sell
How to maximize the return on your investment
Timing
"How quickly will my home sell? This is a common question we get."
Learn about the market climate and absorption rates
The market climate will determine how quickly your home will sell
Marketing Your Home
"The importance of marketing your home properly."
Digital marketing exposes your property to the masses
Negotiation will be key in selling you home
Pricing your home is not as easy as checking Zillow
Home Valuation
"How do you determine what your house is worth?"
Pricing your home right
Factors to consider are size, condition, location, marketing, and negotiating
Underpricing and overpricing your home will cause you to lose money
Is Zillow Accurate?
"Should I use Zillow as an accurate evaluation of my home’s value?"
Zillow is an algorithm based on public data
Zillow has never seen the inside of your home and it’s a computer
Zillow comes up with the value based upon what your neighbors are selling for
What to Disclose?
To disclose or not to disclose
This is vital to ensure that you are safe during and after the sale
Over-disclosure is better than under-disclosure
Receiving Offers
"How do you know if you should accept the offer you just got?"
What if you don't receive the amount of offers you were hoping for?
What happens if we have more than one offer?
Good Time to Sell?
"Are we heading into a recession and is now a good time to buy and sell?"
If you're fearful of selling due to a recession, you may want to think again
Remember, it's all relative
Negotiations
"How to negotiate like a master to make sure you get the most out of your home?"
How to get top dollar when selling
Walking away with the most amount of money in your pocket
Inspections?!
"Should you get inspections done prior to listing my home?"
The advantages of having inspections done prior to listing
Saves you time and money
Curb Appeal
How to make a good first impression
How to get maximum exposure and top dollar
There are simple tricks that can save you money and maximize the return on your investment at the same time
Should I Take the First Offer?
NO NO NO!
The goal is for your home to be seen by the masses
Then, to get the highest and best price and terms for your home
What Are Contingencies?
"When a buyer has made an offer on a home and the seller has accepted it but the final sale is contingent on certain criteria being met."
This criteria, or contingencies, typically fall under four major categories: appraisal, loan approval, inspections and reports & disclosures
Contingency Timeframes
"Now we're in contract prior to contingencies being removed. Now we're in business."
The buyer now will secure their loan, have their inspections on the property, and review all of the reports and disclosures
WANT TO GET A FREE CUSTOM MARKET PROPOSAL?
Go to the next page to request a custom market proposal for your specific home
Community Videos
MEET THE TEAM
Here's your team that will help you throughout the
entire selling & buying process

Krista Mashore | Realtor & Broker
DRE # 01346304

Jaynlin Miller | Marketing and Seller Specialist
DRE #02195224

Josh Vitale | Listing Specialist
DRE #02009638

Because at the end of the day, what matters most is:
How much money you actually walk away with.
Here’s the good news:
Closing costs are predictable—and with the right plan, there are no surprises.
What Are Closing Costs (For Sellers)?
Closing costs are the expenses you pay when your home sale is finalized.
They come out of your proceeds at closing—not out of pocket upfront in most cases.
Typical Closing Costs for Sellers in Galax, VA
While every situation is a little different, here are the most common costs:
1. Real Estate Commission
This is usually the largest cost.
Typically 5%–6% of the sale price
Split between the listing agent and buyer’s agent
This covers marketing, negotiation, and managing the entire process.
2. Closing / Settlement Fees
Paid to the attorney or settlement company handling the transaction.
Title work
Document preparation
Recording fees
These are usually a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars.
3. Title-Related Costs
You may pay for:
Title search
Title insurance (in some cases)
4. Seller Concessions (Optional)
Sometimes sellers agree to help buyers with:
Closing cost assistance
Repairs or credits
This is negotiable and depends on your situation.
5. Repairs (If Needed)
After inspection, you may:
Make repairs
Offer a credit instead
6. Mortgage Payoff
If you still have a loan:
Your remaining balance gets paid off at closing.
7. Property Taxes (Prorated)
You’ll pay your share of property taxes up to the closing date.
What Percentage Should You Expect?
In general:
Most sellers in Galax can expect total closing costs around 6%–10% of the sale
price
This depends on:
Commission
Repairs
Negotiations
Specific transaction details
What You Actually Walk Away With
This is what most sellers really want to know.
Your net proceeds =
�� Sale price
➖ Closing costs
➖ Mortgage payoff
= What you take home
Real Seller Scenario
I worked with a homeowner who assumed they would walk away with a certain number
based on their sale price.
But once we factored in:
Commission
Taxes
Minor repairs
Payoff amount
The number was different than expected.
The good news?
We adjusted the pricing and strategy early—so there were no surprises at closing.
Biggest Mistakes Sellers Make
1. Not Understanding Net Proceeds
Focusing only on sale price instead of what you keep.
2. Forgetting About Repairs or Credits
These can impact your bottom line.
3. Assuming Online Calculators Are Accurate
They often miss local details.
4. Not Planning Ahead
Knowing your numbers early helps you make better decisions.
How to Estimate Your Closing Costs
The best way is:
A custom net sheet based on your home and situation
This includes:
Estimated sale price
Mortgage payoff
Fees and costs
Realistic bottom line
FAQ
Do I pay closing costs upfront?
No—most costs come out at closing.
Can I negotiate closing costs?
Yes—especially concessions and repairs.
How much are closing costs in Virginia?
Typically 6%–10% of the sale price for sellers.
Will I know my numbers before selling?
Yes—you can get a clear estimate before listing.
Final Thoughts
Closing costs aren’t something to fear—they’re something to understand.
The more clarity you have upfront, the more confident you’ll feel about your sale.
Next Steps
If you’re thinking about selling your home in Galax, VA:
Get a clear estimate of your net proceeds
Understand your costs upfront
Build a strategy that works for your goals
_______________________________________________________________________
Linda S Freeman
Real Estate Broker – Galax, Virginia
Avante Realty Group
276-733-8880
Helping homeowners in Galax, VA understand their numbers and sell with confidence.
"Our first ever home sale. Krista and her team made the experience so smooth. From our first meeting to the last it was all about us and how they made it an enjoyable experience. They were all unbelievably attentive and responsive to our needs.
"My father in law passed and we needed to sell his house. We met with three different agents and we quickly decided to go with Krista. Krista and her team are very knowledgeable, energetic and at the top of their game. Everything was spot on."
"Krista and her team were excellent. We bought a home while on vacation. We relied on her staff to not only view the house but she positioned us so well, that we followed her advice and we got the house for the price we wanted. Thank you!
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