IDEAS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME

You look around and realize your home is now too large for empty nesters, or you want to relocate, maybe you decided you want another style or larger house. I hope the next few paragraphs are helpful to you for marketing your home.

1. Location
2. Price
3. Terms
4. Condition of Property
5. The Agent You Select

Before you make one phone call. Whether you are selling your first home or your fifth, it is helpful to recall those things that attracted you to the property, and emphasize these features. Chances, are they are the same features that will attract a new buyer to your home. Walk outside and assess the condition of the outside of your home and the landscaping. First impressions are critical! Take a look at the front entrance. Is it welcoming? A fresh coat of paint on the door, a bit of weeding along the path, if the weather allows, plant colorful geraniums or bright chrysanthemums might help to create a cheerful welcome.

Now you are ready to walk around the interior of your home and look at ceilings, baseboards and door frames. Are there small cracks, chipped paint and loose door knobs? These are very minor things to correct yet left undone, create an impression of neglect.

Remove everything from your closets that isn't absolutely essential to your life for the next few weeks. No one ever feels they have enough storage space so even the biggest walk-in closet looks inadequate when it is jammed full.

All of us live with minor inconveniences such as drawers that stick, faucets that may drip, door chimes that don't. I have found when people are house hunting, they try to seek perfection. All buyers seek the "perfect house", so try and do anything you can to create the impression of perfection it will pay off many times over. Replace all burned out light bulbs, like the attic, basement and the far corner where circuit breaker is located.

I love animals, but not everyone does. Remember that pets should be kept, if possible, out of sight and hearing when your home is being shown. Even friendly lovable ones divert attention away from the showing

TIME FOR AN AGENT

You are recommended to an agent and sometimes that works out well. But other times it does not. So, my advice to you is to treat the sale of your home as if it was a business deal. Everyone knows the agency that is the top in your area however, more than likely you will be dealing with one designated agent. Make sure you can work well with him or her. During your phone call ask them to come and take a look at the property because you are thinking about placing it on the market. They will take an initial look but they should visit the town office you live in to verify the square footage, number of bedrooms and baths and the taxes. The agent will prepare a CMA report for you. Then they are ready to sit with you and answer your questions. What price, when the best time for the listing to be put on the MLS in your area or any concern you have. Is there a certain date by which you would like to have your property sold? Ask all the questions you need because every question is important. Ask the agent how he or she plans to market your property.

Today consumers do not look to a single source to purchase a home. They are researching and shopping on the INTERNET, local papers, real estate sections of many periodicals they tend to come across. You need an agent that makes use of all these tools. I send out just listed cards to an area surrounding the house and hold public open houses in addition to the listing being posted on the INTERNET within our MLS area Also, we advertise in local papers and take advantage of the New York Times web site for real estate listings.

One of the most important elements in selling you home is arriving at a price. Think twice before you price is a good rule of thumb. Remember, when a house is first listed there are a number of buyers who've been looking for sometime and are educated about the value of other houses on the market in their price range. Such buyers are anxiously awaiting the new listing - that special house. Because it is new on the market they sense an urgency to see it and if they like it, they fear others will like it too. This is the moment when the buyer is most likely to make an offer, but only if the property is well priced. If the house is overpriced, the educated buyer will know it. After a house is listed for some time, it loses that sense of excitement. Don't sell your neighbors that is on the market house by overpricing yours.

It is most important to choose an agent trained to bring you the facts of the marketplace, including recent sales of comparable properties and descriptions of houses currently on the market as competition. This is your very best indication of what buyers will pay for your property. It is the marketplace which determines the probable selling range of your property. In our current market, pricing realistically with the resulting perceived value on the part of the buyers, is of paramount importance.

Living Through The Selling Process

The selling process can be a busy and hectic time for anyone. The following tips will assist you and your family in the process:

1. Keep your house as clean as possible a all times, to be prepared for unexpected appointments with potential buyers.
   
2. Your agent should be in constant communication with you throughout the selling process. It is also important for them to provide you with continuous updates, feedback and information pertinent to the marketing process.
   
3. Don't be afraid to voice you opinion. You have entered into a partnership with your agent and it takes two.
   
4. Keep an open mind throughout the entire process.
   
5. Keep your sense of humor as well because selling a house could be one of life's stressful times.

The Acceptable Offer

Once you have achieved your goal of an acceptable offer an a purchaser has been found you can expect the following to occur over the next couple of months.

1. Home Inspection - It is customary for the buyer to schedule an inspection as soon as possible. The selling agent is responsible for accompanying the inspector as well as the buyer. You can expect a thorough inspection of the property and structure including all systems: the basement , attic, electrical system, plumbing system, septic system and well if applicable. The buyer may also inspect the oil tank, radon levels and for the presence of lead paint (if the home was built prior to 1978).
   
2. Contracts - Once the inspection is complete, it is time to sign contract. You should will have already retained an attorney. Your attorney prepares and sends out the contract to the purchaser's attorney. The buyer signs first and provides their deposit at this time. The contracts are returned to your attorney for your signature and are then duly executed contracts.
   
3. Appraisal - This occurs early in the mortgage process, usually with the selling agent accompanying the appraiser.
   
4. Written Mortgage Commitment - The document the lender issue informing the purchaser that the lender has issued a mortgage commitment.
    
5. The Closing Date - This must accommodate you and the purchaser as well as the three attorneys involved - yours, the purchaser's and the attorney representing the lending institution.
   
6. The Walk Through - Customarily preformed 24 hours prior to closing, after the premises has been vacated, this will ensure that all fixtures previously agreed upon remain and checks the overall condition of the property.

The Closing

"Closing," refers to the meeting where ownership of the property is legally transferred to the buyer. It is a formal meeting in which all parties involved in the buying/selling process attend. Closing procedures are usually held at the attorney for the bank's office. The seller's attorney, the bank's attorney and the title company's representative have all worked hard to get you to this point. Many documents are passed around the table for the appropriate signatures, most for the buyer. Read or ask to have explained to you the documents before you sign them. The checks are distributed to the seller. The buy, seller and their attorney shake hands the house has passed title.