HOW WE HELP SELLERS – STEP-BY-STEP ATTORNEY-LED SALE

Selling a property is a legal, financial, and strategic process. If done incorrectly, it can lead to lost value, delays, or even lawsuits. At Mina Law Group, we guide you through each stage and protect you at every step.

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1. Initial Seller Consultation & Evaluation

We begin by understanding:

• Your goals – maximum price, fast sale, 1031 exchange, debt payoff, downsizing, etc.

• Your timeline – urgent, flexible, or tied to another purchase.

• The type of property – single-family home, condo, multi-unit, commercial, or mixed-use.

• Any special circumstances – divorce, probate or trust sale, co-owners, tenants, liens, or code issues.

We then outline the full process, the potential challenges, and how our attorney-led approach will protect you.

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2. Property & Legal Review Before Listing

Before going on the market, we conduct a legal and practical review:

• Title & Ownership

  • Confirm who is on title and who must sign.

  • Identify loans, liens, judgments, or encumbrances that must be paid off or addressed.

  • Review easements, CC&Rs, and recorded restrictions.

• HOA & Community (if applicable)

  • Review HOA dues, rules, restrictions, pending litigation, or special assessments.

  • Plan proper disclosure to potential buyers.

• Occupancy & Tenants

  • Determine whether the property is owner-occupied, vacant, or tenant-occupied.

  • Advise on tenant rights, necessary notices, and whether the property will be delivered vacant or with tenants.

• Condition & Known Issues

  • Discuss known defects, unpermitted work, prior water damage, mold, or code problems.

  • Strategize whether to fix issues, disclose them as-is, or adjust pricing.

Addressing these matters early reduces surprises and makes the sale smoother and safer.

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3. Pricing Strategy & Market Positioning

We assist in:

• Evaluating comparable sales (comps) and current market conditions.

• Balancing your desire for maximum price with your timeline and risk tolerance.

• Determining an appropriate listing price or range.

• Planning the timing and general marketing strategy.

The objective is to position your property competitively while protecting your interests and net proceeds.

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4. Preparing the Property for Market

We provide practical advice on preparation, such as:

• Minor repairs or improvements that meaningfully increase appeal

• Professional cleaning and, if appropriate, staging

• Addressing obvious safety or habitability issues

We help you focus on changes that add real value, avoiding unnecessary expense.

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5. Listing Agreement & Commission Terms

If a separate real estate agent or broker is involved, we:

• Review your listing agreement in detail.

• Clarify:

  • Commission structure

  • Length of the listing

  • Agent duties and marketing commitments

• Negotiate or clarify terms where needed to protect your rights.

You will know exactly what you are signing and what you are paying for.

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6. Marketing, Showings & Open Houses

We coordinate with the listing agent or our professional partners to ensure:

• Your property is properly listed on MLS and major platforms.

• Photos and descriptions are accurate and not misleading.

• Showings and open houses are organized and controlled.

We are available to address any legal or contract-related questions that arise during this stage, helping to ensure no one makes promises or statements that create future liability.

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7. Receiving, Reviewing & Comparing Offers

When offers come in, we perform a comprehensive review, looking at:

• Price and estimated net proceeds

• Buyer’s financing strength and down payment

• Contingencies (inspection, loan, appraisal, sale of another property)

• Timeframes for inspections, contingencies, and closing

• Requests for credits, closing costs, or special terms

• Overall risk that the buyer may not perform

We then present a clear comparison so you can see not only which offer is highest, but which is strongest and safest.

 

8. Counteroffers & Negotiation

We manage the negotiation phase, which may include:

• Countering on price while accepting favorable terms

• Keeping price but tightening contingencies and deadlines

• Increasing deposits to demonstrate buyer commitment

• Modifying rent-back or occupancy terms to fit your needs

We draft precise, legally sound counteroffers that avoid ambiguity and protect your position.

Our goal is to secure the best combination of price, protection, and certainty of closing.

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9. Accepted Offer & Opening Escrow

Once you accept an offer:

• We help open escrow and review the opening package.

• Confirm the buyer’s earnest money deposit is timely and correct.

• Review escrow instructions for consistency with the purchase agreement.

We also track key dates for:

• Buyer inspections

• Contingency removals

• Loan and appraisal deadlines

• Target closing date

We monitor performance and keep you updated.

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10. Seller Disclosures & Legal Compliance

Proper disclosure is critical to prevent future disputes.

We assist you in:

• Completing required disclosure forms (TDS, SPQ, HOA disclosures, NHD, and others as applicable).

• Determining what must be disclosed regarding:

  • Known defects or prior repairs

  • Water damage, mold, structural problems

  • Unpermitted work or additions

  • Neighborhood nuisances or ongoing disputes

We ensure your disclosures are truthful, complete, and compliant to reduce the risk of claims for non-disclosure or misrepresentation.

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11. Inspections, Repair Requests & Credits

During the buyer’s inspection period:

• Buyers may submit Requests for Repairs or Requests for Credits.

We:

• Review these requests with you and categorize them as reasonable, negotiable, or excessive.

• Advise when to:

  • Agree to certain repairs,

  • Offer targeted credits instead, or

  • Decline unreasonable demands.

We negotiate firmly to protect your net proceeds while keeping the transaction on track when appropriate.

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12. Appraisal & Buyer’s Loan Issues

If the buyer is obtaining a loan:

• The property must appraise at or near the purchase price.

• If the appraisal is at value or higher, we proceed.

• If it is low, we discuss options:

  • Adjusting the price

  • Asking the buyer to increase their down payment

  • Sharing the difference or standing firm, depending on your goals and backup options

We help you make a business decision, not a reactive one.

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13. Monitoring Contingencies & Enforcing Deadlines

We carefully track:

• Buyer’s deadlines to remove contingencies in writing

• Whether they are performing under the contract

If the buyer fails to perform, we:

• Send appropriate notices through escrow or in writing

• Advise whether to grant extensions, demand strict performance, or cancel and move to another buyer

Our focus is to keep you in control and avoid being tied up with a non-performing buyer.

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14. Closing Preparation & Final Numbers

As closing approaches, we:

• Review the final settlement statement to confirm:

  • Loan payoffs

  • Commission and closing costs

  • Prorations (taxes, HOA dues, rents, etc.)

  • Credits and debits for you and the buyer

• Verify your estimated net proceeds.

• Coordinate signing of closing documents and confirm move-out or rent-back details.

We ensure that the final numbers and terms match what was agreed and that you are prepared for closing.

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15. After Closing – Reducing Future Risk

After the sale closes, we remain available to:

• Answer questions about the sale documents and closing figures.

• Advise if a buyer later raises concerns about disclosures or property condition.

• Coordinate with your estate planning, tax, or financial advisors if the sale is part of a broader strategy.

Because the transaction was handled by a law firm, you have a clear, organized file and immediate access to legal support if anything arises later.

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CONTACT MINA LAW GROUP

Whether you are:

• Buying your first home,

• Selling a long-time family residence,

• Acquiring or selling investment or commercial property, or

• Building a real estate portfolio for the future,

Mina Law Group is ready to guide you with professional real estate representation and robust legal protection at every stage.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let us help you find, analyze, negotiate, and secure the right property — or sell your property — with the confidence that comes from having an attorney on your side.