Meet the trustworthy advisors
Decide When to Sell.
In real estate,
timing is not everything, but it does influence your home’s selling
price. When there are lots of people looking for homes but not many
for sale, this is called a ‘seller’s market’, because the
seller has something everybody wants. When there are more homes for
sale and not many people buying them, this is called a “buyer’s
market” because buyers have more power of choice.
How quickly do you need to sell your home?
In a seller’s
market, top price and a fast sale can go together. In a buyer’s
market, more sellers are competing for your potential buyer. If you
must sell right now, you may wish to lower your asking price a bit to
speed up the sale. If you’re also buying a home, in this case, you
don’t really have to worry about playing the market. If you sell
your existing home for a ‘low’ price, you’re probably also
buying at a low price. If you are upgrading to a larger home, this
works to your advantage. Imagine when your bigger home is on the
upswing. If you’re downsizing from a bigger home to a smaller home,
you need to pay a bit more attention to the market.
Buy first or sell first?
Many people can
time their sale and purchase, so they happen on the same “closing
date.” Buyers can make their offer “conditional” on the sale of
their existing home, to make sure they’re not left paying for the
upkeep of two homes. When selling, you can try to extend the “closing
period” to give yourself more time to find your next home. If you
find your new home before you’ve even started to sell your old one,
talk to your existing mortgage lender. You may be able to arrange
“Bridge Financing.” This is when your lender (the bank) is
confident your existing home will sell quickly, and they agree to
lend you the down payment for your new dream home.
Sign a Listing Agreement.
The “Listing
Agreement” authorizes the agent and brokerage to market and sell
your home. This agreement defines your relationship, provides
detailed information about the home, which then can be placed on MLS,
and forms the basis for drafting offers on your home.
Determine Your Home’s Asking Price.
Lots of people out there want to buy your home. The right asking price will attract buyers’ attention and pay you a maximum return. You have the final say over this magic number, but your agent will have very useful advice. Your goal is fair market value. “Market Value” is a term that simply means the maximum amount of money that interested buyers are willing to pay for your property. Remember, buyers’ comparison shop, especially for something as expensive as a home.
We will create a
physical description of your listing itemizing the lot size, the age
of your home and the style of construction. We will list the style,
number, and size of the rooms, and include any outstanding selling
features of your home such as “backs onto golf course” or
“fabulous kitchen renovation.” Legal information such as the lot
number, land surveys and the zoning code will be included.
What exactly is included in the price?
Washers and
dryers, microwaves, and window blinds? Fixtures like installed
lighting and wall-to-wall carpeting. Fixtures are assumed to be
included in the sale of the home unless you note otherwise. Go over
every item and make sure it’s accounted for in the Listing
Agreement.
Be honest about imperfections.
Maybe the
basement leaks during the spring thaw, maybe the kitchen sink backs
up when both showers are running. It is best to come clean and report
it. If you don’t, and a significant fault is discovered before the
sale, it can cast a shadow of doubt over the rest of the home. If the
fault is discovered after the sale, and it can be proven that you
knew about the problem, you may be sued for the cost of the repairs.
Yes, first impressions matter.
It’s nearly
impossible to replace the initial flurry of interest and activity a
new listing will generate. Other agents in the area will want to see
your home right away and tell their buyers all about it. Be sure
you’re priced and poised to capitalize on this first wave of
excitement. Now is the time to see your home through a buyer’s
eyes. Over the years, you’ve grown quite comfortable with your
home’s little imperfections; the hole in the screen door, the
chipped paint on the baseboards, the mess in the basement. Repair as
much as you can, within reason, and get rid of the clutter. Your
house will feel a lot bigger and more inviting when you get rid of
all the non-essential stuff lying around your house. Clear out those
closets, remove bulky, unused furniture and rearrange the remaining
pieces to make the best use of space.
Clean everything.
Cleaning is the
single most cost-effective way to make your home more attractive to
buyers. Floors, windows, walls, doors, baseboards...everything! Give
extra care and attention to the two most important rooms in a buyer’s
mind: bathrooms and kitchens. Once it’s clean, keep it clean! You
never know what day your ideal buyer will visit. Also, never
underestimate the power of paint. Strong colors on the walls or wild
wallpaper make it hard for buyers to imagine their furniture in your
house. Consider repainting your home in bright, neutral colors that
will enhance a room’s size and look more inviting. Next to cleaning
your home, paint is the most cost-effective way to increase your
home’s appeal and attract offers.
Depersonalize your home.
Remember, you
want buyers to walk through your house and feel like it’s their
home, not yours. Some people just don’t have good visual
imagination. They won’t see past your wall of family portraits, or
your collection of unique home decor. These things are guaranteed to
prevent buyers from emotionally placing themselves in your home.
Remove everything that’s too much about you and ask your agent for
help deciding.
Add some beautifying touches.
Mirrors on the
wall will help rooms feel far bigger. A few new houseplants will add
undeniable appeal. Pay special attention to the outside of your home.
Trim the trees, weed the garden and consider planting a few new
flowers. Is your driveway cluttered with toys, tools, trash etc.?
Does both the exterior and the interior look like they have been well
taken care of? Does the carpet have stains? Your home needs to make a
great first impression with some serious “curb appeal.” You don’t
need to spend a fortune to make a big difference.
Considering Offers
When reading an offer, keep in mind that you are out to get the best price AND the best terms for you. If you focus solely on the price, you may overlook terms that could be favorable to you as a buyer. Some terms that may work in your favor:
Higher-than-market-interest in a second mortgage for your home
The buyer will pay for most or all the closing costs
The buyer will take care of any repairs
Quick close - the buyer is pre-approved and ready to close in a timeframe that best suits you
All-cash deal
When reading through offers, remember to look at the whole package. Take the time that you need to assess what is being offered and if it meets your needs.