Seller Tips
Some things to consider when choosing your home price are:
Remember, your home is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. By working with a qualified REALTOR, you can ensure that your property will receive the needed exposure to attract interested parties who are willing to make an offer.
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When you are selling your home you will want to put forth the very best product. Buyers are not coming for just a quick look, but for a careful inspection. Keep the exterior neat by painting the trim, clipping the hedges, mowing, edging, and weeding the lawn. You may even want to plant a few flowers.
Inside you will want to lighten up the darker corners; perhaps add some fresh paint and put the clutter away to give the rooms an open feeling. Make sure there are no "stale" odors in the home. This can be especially important for remote areas such as a basement or attic. On the day of your open house, you may want to consider baking some cookies, or bring in some fragrant fresh flowers. This will add a cheery and pleasant scent to your home. These little things just may help you sell your home a bit more quickly.
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When selling your home, you must realize that it is not likely that the right buyer will simply walk through your door on their own. Generally, you have to bring your home to the buyer, and that means counting on a REALTOR professional to put forth a successful marketing campaign. You should consider a REALTOR who will make the best use of state-of-the-art techniques such as an interactive voice-response system, a front end MLS system and the internet. Depending on your market, an open house should be considered; check with your REALTOR to make this determination.
Make sure your agent is trained not only in the financial aspect of a real estate transaction, but the marketing aspect as well. Ask your REALTOR about designations such as GRI, CRS, ePRO, or SRES, that your agent may have earned. These designations represent special training that will help your REALTOR to set your home apart from others on the market.
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When you have a home for sale, eventually a prospective buyer will "make an offer." As the seller, you basically have three options: you can accept the offer, reject the offer or give a counter offer. A counter offer usually encourages a buyer to continue with the negotiations. In aggressive markets, you may also receive multiple offers. Depending on the terms, you may prefer to take slightly less for your property if someone is willing to pay cash, versus someone who needs to sell their current home first. Contingencies, move-in dates, and financing are all things to consider when weighing an offer. If things seem a bit overwhelming, rely on your experienced REALTOR professional, who can go over the various points with you, and help you choose the best offer.
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Once you have accepted an offer on your property, there are a number of details that still need to be completed. There will probably be an inspection of your home by a professional who will determine the condition and integrity of your property for the buyer. The buyer's mortgage company may choose to send out an appraiser who will assure the lender of your property's value. The title company will warranty that there are no liens or existing encumbrances which would inhibit a transfer of title to the buyer. Either you or the buyer may chose to be represented by an attorney. First time sellers and buyers often feel more comfortable having the paper work reviewed prior to signing. Rest assured that you can always rely on your REALTOR professional to make sure the entire home selling process proceeds smoothly.
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