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WVMLS Seller’s Guide

  • Writer: WVMLS
    WVMLS
  • 4 days ago
  • 4 min read

Seller Resources (Before You List Your Home)

Before diving into the selling process, lay the groundwork by reviewing your finances, understanding tax implications, and preparing required disclosures. Consult with a tax advisor to grasp capital gains exemptions. In Oregon, sellers may owe state income tax on gains unless exempt, and property taxes are prorated at closing. It is also good to familiarize yourself with Oregon's seller disclosure requirements to avoid legal pitfalls. Here are a few of the many resources available to sellers:


Oregon Seller Disclosures Explained 


Taxes on Selling a House in Oregon 


Steps to Selling a House in Oregon 


Takeaways: Do your homework before putting your home on the market for best results.


Who is WVMLS?

The Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service (WVMLS) serves as the premier real estate marketplace for Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Established in 1949, WVMLS is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative dedicated to fostering transparency, accuracy, and fairness in real estate transactions. By providing real-time, comprehensive listing data, WVMLS empowers buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals with the tools needed to make informed decisions in a dynamic market. 


WVMLS is driven by its commitment to its members, which are local real estate professionals, to connect sellers with qualified buyers and ensure properties reach the widest possible audience. The service ensures that all listings are up-to-date, accurate, and accessible, creating a level playing field that prioritizes trust and efficiency. 


With over seven decades of service, WVMLS remains a cornerstone of the Willamette Valley’s real estate community, supporting seamless transactions while upholding the values of collaboration and integrity that have defined it since its founding.


Takeaways:  MLS’s are the most trusted source for real estate data because it comes directly from the brokers.  Listing on MLS will help a seller reach the largest pool of buyers and attract the best offers.

 

How Sellers Access WVMLS

The key to reaching the most qualified buyers and achieving the best possible price in Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties is partnering with a local broker who is a member of WVMLS. WVMLS member brokers ensure your listing is syndicated to major real estate platforms, search engines, and buyer networks for maximum exposure by uploading it to the region’s most comprehensive and real-time property database – the MLS.


Find a WVMLS Broker: Connect with a trusted professional by visiting the WVMLS member search page located here. A WVMLS broker can provide a professional market analysis using comparable sales data, craft a targeted marketing plan, and handle the listing process from photos to negotiations. Unlike national real estate websites, which are secondary sources of WVMLS data, working with a member broker ensures your property is listed directly and accurately, with the most current details available. 


Independent Research: While preparing to sell, you can preview active listings on the WVMLS Property Search Page or check out market trends and statistics on at wvmls.com/stats. These tools, powered by WVMLS give you a real-time view of the Willamette Valley’s dynamic real estate market to help inform your pricing strategy.


Takeaways: There’s a lot you can do on your own, but for maximum benefit, use a WVMLS-Member Broker.


Understanding Listing Agreements

A listing agreement outlines what your broker will do to market and sell your property, including their duties, compensation, and the terms of your partnership, so you know exactly what to expect. 


In Oregon, a written listing agreement is required before your broker can offer your property for sale or seek buyers. These agreements are flexible.


Learn More About Listing Agreements: For detailed information on what these agreements entail and how they protect you, visit the Oregon Real Estate Agency’s Buyer Agreements and Listing Agreements Overview at https://www.oregon.gov/rea/newsroom/pages/2024-oren-j/buyer-agreements-listing-agreements-law-rule-overview.aspx.


Takeaways: Listing contracts are required, but flexible enough to cover many situations.

 

Staging Your Home & Showings

Getting your home ready for its close-up will be something your WVMLS broker can help you navigate.  There are also many resources on these items – from decluttering to curb appeal all the way to hosting an open house.  Here are a few:



Showings are where your preparation pays off. Flexible scheduling, a spotless and depersonalized home, good lighting, pleasant scents (or none at least no odors), and pets securely out of the way all make a huge difference. Your WVMLS broker will coordinate private appointments and open houses, provide lockbox access, and give you proven tips to make every showing feel welcoming and memorable.


Takeaways: There’s a lot you can do to boost your homes’ appeal, and your broker can show you how!


Why Local Matters

When selling a home in the Willamette Valley, a local approach is essential for top-dollar results. National real estate portals, while broad, often rely on aggregated data from WVMLS, which can result in delays, errors, or limited customization. WVMLS is the authoritative source of real estate data for Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties, delivering real-time, precise listing information that reaches serious local and relocating buyers. By listing through WVMLS, you’re tapping into the most reliable exposure available, straight from the source. 


Partnering with a local WVMLS broker provides unparalleled expertise. These professionals know the nuances of Willamette Valley neighborhoods, offering insights that outshine generic platforms. This local knowledge ensures tailored pricing, marketing, and negotiations that align with regional trends. Choosing local means choosing precision, expertise, and a personalized selling experience.


Takeaways: Local is everything in Real Estate.


Ready to list your home? Connect with a WVMLS broker today at https://members.wvmls.com/search.asp

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