Choosing your real estate professional is one of the most important decisions you will make when selling your property. We believe the more you look around, the more you will see the value of working with us.
However, no matter whom you choose, these simple tips will help you sell your home more quickly and efficiently.
Make first impressions count. Without a doubt, a visually appealing house will attract buyers, who can't help but respond to the look and "feel" of a home. Take time to carefully prepare for showings.
Don't forget the following:
Scrub, dust and fix up the works. Buyers will notice details. Get rid of the clutter, repair leaky faucets, wage war on dust and clean until your home shines. Small things can make a potential buyer walk away. When you prepare your house for showing, remember to:
• Shampoo carpets
• Clean tubs, toilets and showers and hang fresh towels
• Oil squeaky doors
• Fix things like broken hinges and light switches
Listen to suggestions. As you prepare your home, don't rely solely on your own judgement. It's hard to be objective when you're the owner. Your realtor will have helpful, professional tips on how to make your home more marketable.
Take a whiff. Nothing will turn a buyer away faster than an odd smell. Try to eliminate smoking, food and pet odors. And don't leave any clues. If potential buyers see a dog or an ashtray, they'll be on the lookout for smells and stains.
Turn on the lights. Open shades and draperies before a viewing. Open all doors inside home. Turn on inside and outside lights.
Let potential buyers "see" themselves in your home. Too many personal items can make viewers feel like they're intruding in someone else's home. Keep things clean and simple. Decorate in neutral colors.
Get out of the house. When buyers view your home, they'll be more comfortable and spend more time if you're not there. If you must be present, be as unobtrusive as possible. Let your agent do the work.
Stay unemotional during negotiations. Selling your home can be emotionally charged, but don't let that stand in the way of making a deal. Have a business-like attitude during the process.
Choose a Real Estate Professional you like and trust.
Frequently Asked Questions For Sellers
How is the price of my home determined?
It's critical to price your home right in relationship to the current real estate market and to the conditions prevailing in your local marketplace. Since the real estate market is continually changing, and market fluctuations have an effect on property values, it's imperative to select your list price based on the most recent comparable sales in your neighborhood. A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) provides the background data on which to base your list price decision. Study the comparable sales material presented to you by the different agents you interviewed initially. If the CMAs are over two or three months old, have your agent update the report for you. If all agents agreed on a price range for your home, go with the consensus. Experts recommend that more than one agent come and do the analysis. Watch for an agent whose opinion of value is considerably higher than the others.
What are contingencies in a purchase?
There are two standard contingencies: a financing contingency, which makes the purchase conditional on the buyers' ability to obtain a loan commitment from a lender, and an inspection contingency, which allows the buyers to have professionals inspect the property to their satisfaction. A deposit could be forfeited by the buyers under certain circumstances, such as the buyers backing out for a reason not provided for in the contract. The purchase contract must include the sellers' responsibilities such as passing clear title, maintaining the property in its present condition until closing, and making any agreed upon repairs to the property.
What is the seller obligated to disclose?
It varies from state to state. Under the most restrictive state, the seller and the sellers' broker, if there is one, are required to disclose all facts materially affecting the value or desirability of the property which are known or accessible only to him and which are not known to, or within reach of the diligent attention and observation of the buyer. In the case of residential properties, the seller must provide the buyer with a Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement, which specifies the existence and condition of all known physical attributes of the property. Sellers are responsible for disclosing only information within their personal knowledge.
When is the best time to sell?
In addition to supply and demand, and other economic factors, the time of year you choose to sell can make a difference both in the amount of time it takes you to sell your home and in the ultimate selling price. Generally, the real estate market picks up as early as February, with the strongest selling season usually lasting through May and June. With the onset of summer, the market slows. July is often the slowest month for real estate sales due to a strong spring market putting possible upward pressure on interest rates. Also, many prospective home buyers and their agents take vacations during mid-summer. Following the summer slowdown, real estate sales activity tends to pick up for a second, although less vigorous, season which usually lasts into November when the market slows again as buyers and sellers turn their attention to the holidays.
