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Simplify Your Experience
From preparing your home for sale, to setting the price, and showing
your home, a REALTOR® will simplify the process. Keep in mind the
right agent is often the key to a successful real estate transaction.
Our REALTORS® will guide you through the entire process.
Pricing Your Home
Correctly pricing your property is critical. Price your home too
low and you'll lose money; price it too high and buyers will shy
away. Your REALTOR® will be able to give you a Competitive Market
Analysis for your home, which will help you determine the value
of your property, as well as give advice on the condition of the
present market.
Promoting Your Property
Effective advertising and marketing are essential when selling
your home. From descriptive, colorful ads to internet options, our
REALTORS® are able to attract potential buyers. Promotional campaigns
are most successful when the home is priced right and shows well.
Competition and current interest rates can also affect the success
of a promotional campaign.
Prepare Wisely
The presentation of your home will impact the buyer's first impression.
Buying a home is an emotional process and your REALTOR® can advise
you on simple and inexpensive ways to prepare your home for a successful
showing.
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There may be a variety of reasons for deciding to sell your home.
Whether you're sizing up, down sizing, or relocating, it’s
exciting to start new adventures. The Internet can be an amazing
resource for any seller and we are here to help.
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Selling a home can be stressful and time consuming without the
right resources and information. There are plenty of practical matters
that need your attention. With the guidance of our REALTORS®, you
can avoid the potential hazards.
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A Team Effort
The overwhelming majority of home sellers find it advantageous
to team up with a REALTOR®. Most home owners feel that it is better
to entrust the sale of their biggest investment to a professional.
There are a number of complexities of modern Real Estate transactions
that should be considered, not to mention the access to the MLS,
advertising, marketing, and the screening of buyers which are available
to assist the seller. Your REALTOR® will know the condition of the
market at the time you are selling. Your REALTOR® will also be able
to help you determine the value of your property with a Competitive
Market Analysis.
Money Matters
Today’s buyer is well informed and price sensitive. A property
that is priced over the market can often deter buyers who are serious
about finding a property. If the property is under-priced, it will
most likely sell quickly - to the detriment of your net proceeds.
Care and research should be taken when establishing the original
listing price.
There are many factors that will affect the selling price. The following
should help you determine the price you can expect to receive:
- What are the prices (listing and selling) of similar homes in
your area?
- What is the size, layout and condition of your home in comparison
to others on the market?
- What is the location of your home, are you in a desirable area
that is in demand?
- Does your home have amenities that are currently popular in
the marketplace?
- Is it a buyers' market or a sellers' market?
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It is time now to look objectively and unemotionally at your home.
Look at it no longer as your home, but as a product to be marketed.
Be aware of what you can and cannot change about your home. This
knowledge will allow you to concentrate on those items that will
bring the highest rewards.
First Impressions
The first thing a potential buyer sees is your home from the street
- the first impression is called "curb appeal." Take care to:
- Remove any junk or clutter from the yard.
- Have a clean, crisp lawn (a bit of fertilizer makes for a greener
lawn).
- Trim shrubbery and hedges.
- Wash decks and porches and make sure they are stained or painted.
- Clean and paint or stain your front door.
- All exterior lights should be operational.
- Exterior windows should be clean and operational.
- Clean out gutters and downspouts.
- Walkways should be swept and free of snow or ice during winter.
- Make sure the garage door is closed.
Through Open Doors
Most buyers do not have a vision - so help them. Present your home
dressed in its best! Here are some minor investments which may have
some major returns.
Paint - When it comes to preparing a house, fresh paint
gives you the best return for money spent.
Flooring – At the very least, all carpeting needs
to be steam cleaned. Any worn, stained or foul smelling carpet
should be replaced. Any flooring that is cracked or damaged should
be replaced, if possible.
Clutter – If something is not necessary for your day-to-day
life, box it up and store it or throw it out!
Closets – Closets need to be neat, clean, and organized.
Cleaning – The cleaner, the better. Dusting, washing,
waxing, and polishing everything will always make a good impression.
Lights – Clean the fixtures and make sure the bulbs
work.
Windows – Replace any cracked windows.
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Entryway :
- Clean and polish everything.
- Make sure it is well lit.
- Make sure it is clutter free.
Bedrooms:
- Arrange the furniture for the flow of traffic.
- Make sure they are clutter free.
Living Room/Family Room/Den:
- Arrange the furniture for the flow of traffic and to give the
illusion of space.
- Remove ashes from fireplaces and woodstoves.
- Make sure all light switches work.
- Clean the drapes.
- Polish/ mop the floors.
Storage Areas:
- Basement, Garage, Attic.
- Remove all junk and clutter.
- If the basement is damp or musty, try a dehumidifier.
- Make sure these areas are well lit.
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Kitchens are under close scrutiny:
- Clean the exterior of all appliances, including the stove hood
filter.
- Clean counter tops and cabinet faces: the shinier, the better.
- Clutter free
- Remove magnets and messages from the front of the refrigerator.
- Clean the floor and consider replacing it if it is worn.
- If you have ceramic tile, make sure the grout is clean and white.
Bathrooms are also extremely important:
- If faucets drip, repair or replace them.
- Remove stains from all fixtures.
- Make sure all lights have the highest wattage that is safe for
each fixture.
- Put out fresh, clean towels.
- Check ceramic tile, make sure the grout is clean.
- Remove any mildew.
- Make sure drains are clog free.
- Shower doors should sparkle.
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Finishing Touches
Most of the time you will be given at least a couple of hours notice
before showing your home. Before you show your home add these small
but important finishing touches. Your home will then put its best
foot forward!
Light and Bright – Whether day or night, a lit house
gives a “welcome home” impression. So turn on all the
lights, indoor and outdoor. Open all curtains, shutters, and blinds
to let in maximum light. Your home looks more cheerful and it also
prevents harsh shadows.
Out of Sight – Prospective buyers may feel like intruders
if you are home during a showing. Allow the REALTOR® the opportunity
to speak freely with buyers and emphasize your home’s best
features. If possible, take a walk, visit the library, go shopping
or take the kids to the park. If you cannot leave, try to remain
out of sight and do not accompany the buyers from room to room.
The Scent of Success – Scented sprays are too obvious
and may be found offensive. For a pleasing fragrance, add a few
drops of vanilla extract on a stove burner or boil water and add
some cinnamon. Refrigerator cookies are quick and easy to bake,
as well as lighting a scented candle prior to a showing. Both will
make your home more attractive.
Waste Not – Empty the trash in the kitchen and any other
waste baskets before a showing. Garbage does not send a positive
message, even in small amounts.
Comfort Counts– Make sure the thermostat is set such
that the house is at a comfortable temperature. Turn off the television
and turn soft, melodious music on.
Pets – It is best to try and take your pets with you
while your home is being shown. If that is not possible, at least
keep them outside. Animals under foot will put a damper on a showing.
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Once an offer is made, if you intend to accept the offer, or make
a counter offer, do it as soon as possible. Realize that at any
time prior to accepting or countering, a buyer can withdraw their
offer.
When you make changes to an offer, they require written approval
of all parties for the contract to be enforceable. Know that even
minor changes facilitate the opportunity for either the seller or
buyer to change their mind.
Closing
To put it simply the last part of the home selling process is
closing. It is the time between signing the purchase contract (once
an agreement on price and terms has been reached) to the day the
deed is actually recorded transferring title. Once everything is
signed, then escrow closes and your home is sold.
Moving On
It doesn’t matter if you have moved once or several times,
it is never an easy task. There is a lot of emotion associated with
selling a home. So on to a new adventure. The following are some
tips you may find helpful.
- Notify the post office of a forwarding address.
- Cancel subscriptions that would not be forwarded.
- Arrange for new checking account if needed.
- Arrange for utilities and telephone at your new location.
- Plan for needs of children and pets during the move
- Plan for sufficient cash/travelers checks during the move.
- Are you packing/moving yourself or will a professional mover
handle the move?
- Once you are reasonably sure you will be proceeding with the
sale, begin weeding out your possessions.
- Pack one room at a time.
- Keep the weight of your boxes reasonable.
- Start packing and marking every box according to contents and
room it will go in.
- If bubble wrap is not available, use towels and blankets to
wrap fragile items.
- If possible, pack audio-video and computer equipment in their
original boxes.
- Do not pack valuables, carry them with you.
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