Selling Your Home

SELLERS CHECK LIST

There are 5 factors that influence the sale of property:

The single most important decision you will make is determining the right asking price for your property.

Buy, Then Sell or Sell, Then Buy

It is almost always better to sell before you buy. Why? It eliminates the financial risk of having two mortgages, plus taxes, insurance and utilities for several months. Additionally, unless you qualify for interim financing, your lender may require that you sell your home before granting financing on your new home. If the buyer makes an attractive offer and wants to close quickly, you can arrange for temporary housing.

Preparing to Sell

Know your homes value. Contact Greg for a complementary market analysis
Choose a Realtorwho:
- Makes you feel comfortable
- Returns calls promptly and answers questions readily
- Provides references (and do check them)
Repair dripping facets and leaky toilets
Replace all burned out light bulbs and faulty switches
Do a pre-sale walk through with your Realtorfor suggestions about how to prepare your home for sale.
Keep all your paper work in one place. That includes your listing contract, loan documents, inspection reports, and disclosures. Documentation to assist with the sale of your home could include a real property report, property tax receipts, mortgage verification, deed or title search, recent home improvement costs and annual utility costs.

A Realtor’s Responsibilities

A Realtor’s goal is to bring you the highest possible price for your home, under the most favorable terms, in the least amount of time, with minimum inconvenience. A Realtorwill:
Market your home under the terms of the listing contract
Prepare a marketing plan that includes a schedule for listing, showing and advertising your property
Advise you on how to prepare your home for sale
Show your home to potential buyers
Schedule appointments for other Realtors to show your home.
Find the right buyer for your home form one of the many sources, including:
- Present prospects
- Open Houses for other Realtors and the general public
- Advertisements
- A buyer from a sold listing
- A “for sale” sign
- Referrals from past clients
- Office sales meetings
Transmit offers to you, negotiate the purchase and move all the paperwork through the transaction
Keep you informed throughout the entire real estate sales process
Assist you with arrangements for relocation services

Disadvantages of Not Using the Services of a Realtor

You are responsible for the entire transaction, including marketing your property, negotiating the purchase, and handling the paperwork. Do you know the laws and regulations governing real estate sales? Do you know what the major elements of an offer include?
You have to do your own market research to determine your homes value
You must create your own marketing plan and decide how you will handle inquiries from prospective buyers or their agents.
You must prepare your home for sale by arranging fro pre-sale repairs, inspections and other necessary services.
You field all buy inquiries, show the house yourself, handle negotiations and move the paperwork through the transaction.
You pay for the buyer’s agent’s services unless the buyer is working alone.
You must deal with the risk of opening your home to complete strangers.
It is unlikely that you will “save” the costs of a Realtor’s fee because most buyers will deduct a real estate commission from the homeowner’s asking price when making their offer.

Must Do When Showing Your Home

Keep landscaping and flower beds tidy
Keep porch, foyer and garage clean and tidy
Clean appliances, counter tops, halls, stairs, mirrors, fixtures, taps, and floors
Remove snow from walks, driveway, and porches
Store unneeded closet items – untidy or over crowded closets suggest inadequate storage space.
Clean bathrooms so they are neat, spotless and fresh.
Keep closets and cupboards neat and tidy
Turn all lights on.
Open drapes during daylight.
Although all viewers are screened, it is best to lock up jewelry and valuables – especially small items (like CD’s) that easily fit in pockets.

Must Do When Selling Your Home

Keep it clean
Freshen a prominent room’s décor with a coat of paint or new floor covering if the room shows signs of wear.
Make necessary repairs. Make sure outlets work, toilets flush, and windows and doors open and close smoothly, All heating equipment and appliances should work.

Don’t Do When Selling Your Home

Don’t go to the expense of:
- Installing shelves or closet organizers
- Painting and carpeting the entire house
- Making major improvements
- Putting in a new driveway or sidewalk unless they will significantly improve your home’s marketability. Your Realtorcan advise you.

Closing Your Sale