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Selling a Home

Simplify Your Experience

A realtor will help you simplify everything, from preparing your home to setting the price and showing your house when it is on the market. Keep in mind the right selling agent is often the most important key to a successful real estate transaction. Our qualified professionals will guide you through the entire process.

Pricing Your Home

Correctly pricing your property is vital yet somewhat complicated. If you price your home too low, you'll lose money; if you price it too high, buyers will shy away. Your realtor will be able to give you a Competitive Market Analysis for your particular property, which will help determine the value of your property, as well as give you an idea of present market conditions.

Advertising Your Home

When selling your home, it is important to have effective advertising and marketing. Using everything from descriptive, colorful ads to Internet options, our realtors are able to attract potential buyers. Promotional campaigns work best when the home is priced right and properly prepared, and when the market is a seller’s market. Other factors that could limit the effect of promotional campaigns may include the competition and the financing.

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

A buyer’s initial impression of your house depends on what they see when they walk into your house for the first time. Never underestimate the affect of positive showing. There are numerous ways to prepare your home for a showing.

Resources

Working As a Team

Most home sellers find it advantageous to team up with a realtor. Rather than attempting to learn the real estate business themselves, most homeowners 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 access to MLS, advertising, marketing and screening, all of which are available to assist the seller. It is important to consider the condition of the market at the time you are considering selling, and your realtor can advise you on this. Your realtor will also be able to give you a Competitive Market Analysis for your particular property, so you will have an idea of the value of your property.

Money Matters

Today’s buyers are 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 – and you’ll feel the loss in the end. Care and research should be taken when establishing the original listing price.

There are many factors that will affect the selling price. The following aspects will help you determine the price you can expect to receive:

The prices (listing and selling) of similar homes in your area
The size, layout and condition of your home
The location of your home – are you in a desirable area that is in demand?
Amenities that are currently popular in the marketplace
The estimated appraisal
The experience of your realtor

Is it a buyers' market or a seller’s market?

Getting Ready to Show

In order to show your home, you must look differently and unemotionally at your home. As hard as it is, try to look at it no longer as your home, but as a product to be marketed. It is important to be aware of what you can and cannot change about your home. This knowledge will allow you to focus on those aspects that will bring the highest rewards.

First Impressions

The first thing a potential buyer sees is your home as it appears from the street. They call this first impression "curb appeal." Take care to:

Remove any junk or clutter from the yard.
Have a clean, crisp lawn (fertilizer makes for a greener lawn).
Trim all 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.

Creating a Vision

Most buyers do not have their own vision for what a home could look like. So help them. Present your home to make the best impression. It is not necessary to do anything expensive, such as remodeling. Here are some minor investments that may have some major returns.

Paint		When it comes to preparing a house, painting 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 there are things you do not use day-to-day, box it up and store it or throw it out.
Closets		Closets should be neat, clean and organized.
Cleaning		Remember – 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 are functioning.
Windows		Replace any cracked windows.

Room to Room

Entryway	Clean and polish everything. Make sure the area is well lit. Free the area of clutter.
Bedrooms	Arrange all furniture for the flow of traffic. Make sure the rooms are tidy and mess free.
Living Room, Family Room, Den	Arrange all furniture for a heavy traffic flow. Give the illusion of space. Remove ashes from fireplaces and woodstoves. Make sure all light switches work. Clean the drapes. Polish and/or mop the floors
Storage Areas	These areas include the basement, garage and attic. Remove all junk and clutter Use a dehumidifier if the basement is damp or musty. Make sure these areas are well lit.
Kitchens	Clean the exterior of all appliances, including the stove hood filter. Clean counter tops and cabinet faces – the shinier, the better. Make sure the area is clutter free. Remove magnets and messages from the front of the refrigerator. Clean the floor, consider replacing if it is worn. If you have ceramic tile, make sure the grout is clean. There are whitening products available for this.
Bathrooms	If faucets drip, repair or replace them. Remove stains from all fixtures. Make sure all lights have the highest wattage safe for each fixture. Put out fresh, clean towels. Check ceramic tile, making sure the grout is clean. Remove any evidence of mildew. Make sure drains are clog free. Show doors should sparkle.

Finishing Touches

In most instances, you will be notified at least a couple of hours in advance before showing your home. Before you show your home, add these small but important finishing touches. Your home will then give its best impression!

Proper Lighting – Whether it is day or night, a lit house gives a “welcome home” impression. Turn on all the lights, both indoor and outdoor. Open all curtains and drapes to let in maximum light. Your home will look more cheerful and the light also prevents harsh shadows.

Stay Hidden – 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 neighbors, go grocery 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 Right Scent – Scented sprays are too obvious and may be found offensive. For a pleasing aroma, 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, and lighting a scented candle prior to a showing will make your home more attractive.

No Trash – Empty the trash in the kitchen and any other wastebaskets before a showing. Garbage never sends a positive message, even in small amounts.

Comfort Counts – Make sure the thermostat is set at a comfortable temperature. Turn off the television and turn on soft, calming music.

Pets – It is best to try and take your pets with you while your home is being shown. If this is not possible, keep them outside. Animals under foot may interrupt on a showing.

Once an offer is made, if you intend to accept the offer or make a counter-offer, do so as soon as possible. Time is of the essence, and 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. Having everything prepared beforehand will prevent this from happening.

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) and the day the deed is actually recorded, and the title is transferred. Once everything is signed, then escrow closes and your home is sold.

Moving On

Moving is never an easy task, whether this is your first move or you have done it ten times. There is a lot of emotion associated with selling a home. Your move can also be seen as the beginning to a new adventure. The following are some tips you may find helpful:

Notify your post office of a forwarding address.
Cancel any subscriptions that are not forwardable.
Arrange for new checking accounts, if needed.
Arrange for utilities and telephone at your new location.
Plan for the 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.
While packing, mark 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.