Thinking of Selling Your Home?
Here's some things you should consider...

TIMING

Timing is everything in your golf swing, in when to take the turkey out of the oven, and in selling real estate. Supply and demand make real estate sales. Any evaluation of the real estate market at a particular moment is subject to change with market events in the next moment. Neither you nor we can change the market situation. We must live with it.

COMPETITION

The rapid real estate sale occurs because the product beats competition! What else is on the market when your "FOR SALE" is posted? Buyers are comparative buyers. They are about to make the largest investment of their lives and they are not impulsive about it. How does your home measure up against the COMPETITION?

PRICE

The best opportunity to sell your property is most likely in the first sixty (60) days that it is on the market. The longer a property stays on the market, the less the chance for an offer. Make certain that your property is listed at a competitive price. Pricing your home just a few thousand dollars more than the competition could possibly result in a "no-sale!". By overpricing you may have no, or few showings, and your property may actually help sell the competition.

Make Your Home Exciting!

We don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Most buyers look for homes that are well cared for and bright. In general, clean and spiffy.

CHECKLIST FOR FASTER SALES

• Lawns and yard - remove clutter, cut grass, edge walks, trim hedges, weed gardens.
• Front of house - paint, fix or wash railings, steps, storm/screen and/or front door.
• Other exterior - side or back door, gutters, wash windows
• Garage - straighten-up, paint, fix or wash doors and windows
• Plumbing - repair dripping faucets, leaky toilets.
• Heating/cooling - clean exterior of unit
• Lights - replace all burned out bulbs, faulty switches
• Halls and stairs - remove any clutter to give wide appearances
• Hardware - oil hinges, tighten door knobs, faucets
• General Condition - dust, wash, paint, fix defects, as required
• Consider feeling of spaciousness - store unneeded items to "enlarge" room size

THESE ITEMS ARE SUPER CRITICAL

• Kitchen - stove, refridgerator, sink should be spotless, all work space clear
• Bathrooms - neat, spotless, and fresh. Repair caulking around tub, shower, sink, and toilet
• Closets - untidy or over-crowded closets suggest inadequate storage space

HOW TO HELP OUR SALES AGENTS

• Children, pets and adults can keep buyers from feeling at ease while they look through a home
• For showings, please be out of the house if possible
• Turn lights on in each room for showings
• Open drapes in the daytime, close them for night showings
• Strong cooking or smoking odors can ruin a sale. Make sure your home is fresh for showings
• Be ready for appointments, many will be at short notice
• Never let anyone into your home without an appointment
• You have the right to ask for proper identification of any sales personnel.
• Refer any questions the potential buyer may have to your agent. This is in your best interest.
• Now you have only to wait for the most welcome sign of all... "SOLD"

ABOUT THE APPRAISAL

Some of the most important requirements on the home that sellers should pay particular attention to are:

• Peeling paint or bare wood on exterior (if the paint on interior is obviously needed, it should be done also.
• Cracked cement foundation or steps
• Leaky roofs
• Any water damage in interior or exterior
• Loose shingles
• Loose doors
• Loose rugs/holes in carpet
• Uplifted vinyl (or missing vinyl tiles)
• Missing railings on stairs
• Holes in doors or walls
• Cracked or pitted windows
• Missing screens on any venting windows
• Faulty or missing door knobs
• Faulty or missing handles for opening windows
• Paint in window sills
• Doors on all closets and bathrooms
• Loose or missing tile in tubs or shower
• Leaking shower pans
• Faulty heating system
• Faulty air conditioning system
• Faulty plumbing systems
• Faulty sprinkling systems
• Faulty lighting or electrical systems (includes outlets)
• Inoperable appliances (built-ins) - if they are included in the sale

If the home needs these minimal repairs it is imperative that they be done before the appraisal or there will be a re-inspection fee.

Each home is evaluated individually and as each lending institution have some of their own standards, there may be other requirements of the seller. The best advice is to offer the home in the same condition, as you would want to buy it yourself.

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