10 Steps for the Perfect Home Selling Experience

• Cleaning every room and removing clutter. This alone will make your house appear larger and brighter.
• Removing items from kitchen counters and closets.
• Removing all personal photos from the walls, and patch the holes where they’re removed.
• Re-surfacing soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade, such as off-white or beige, and applying the same color scheme to carpets and flooring.
• Checking and repairing cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement.
• Repairing holes or damage to plaster, wallpaper, paint and tiles.
• Replacing broken or cracked window panes, molding or other woodwork.

• Keeping the lawn manicured and watered regularly.
• Trimming hedges, weeding flower beds and pruning trees regularly.
• Checking the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling.
• Inspecting doors and windows for peeling paint.
• Cleaning and aligning gutters.
• Inspecting and clearing the chimney.
• Repairing and replacing loose or damaged roof shingles.
• Repairing and repainting loose siding and caulking.
• Keeping walks neatly cleared of ice and snow in the winter.
• Adding colorful annuals near the front entrance in spring and summer.
• Re-sealing an asphalt driveway.
• Keeping your garage door closed.
• Applying a fresh coat of paint to the front door.

1. Make the beds.
2. Grab a basket and put personal items of clutter in your car.
3. Make sure the bathroom towels are clean, straightened and match
4. Wipe down toilets and put the lids down.
5. Wipe down all counter tops and sinks.
6. Open all blinds & turn on all the lights in the house.
7. Make sure the house temperature is comfortable.
8. Make sure the house smells good, but don’t over do the air freshener.
9. Vacuum all carpeted areas, sweep all surfaces.
10. Clean all mirrors.
11. Sweep the front doorway and wipe off the mat.

1. Price Point – Pricing your home for the current market is
important for maximum exposure and ultimately, a satisfactory sale.
– Factors that determine a property’s value:
location, design, amenities, competing properties, economic conditions.
– Factors that have little or no influence:
price the seller originally paid, amount spent on
improvements.

2. Market Conditios – The  real estate market is always fluctuating, and as your agent I will be able to discuss the pros and cons of listing during varied market conditions.

3. Property Condition – The condition of your property will have a lot to do with the selling price and how quickly it will sell. If there are repairs needed, or if professional staging is required, I will be there to assist and offer my guidance and network.

4. Market Exposure – I will focus will be on what we’re able to control market exposure and negotiating offers. I want to get the most qualified buyers into your home, in the least amount of time, and with minimal inconvenience. With a comprehensive marketing
plan, your home will get noticed in any market.

Once your home is on the market, it’s very important to have
information ready to go in case the buyer or lender requests it.
Below is a list of items that buyers, lenders, and title companies
might request during this phase of selling your home:

• Manuals for appliances.
• Receipts of work done to the home including all major & minor renovations.
• All keys and garage door openers.
• Surveys previously done.
• A list of utility providers & average costs per month.
• Alarm instructions

1.  Disclose everything. Be proactive to disclose all known defects to buyers – avoid legal problems later.
2. Remember your priorities, but also respect the buyer, as this will be their next home & they are nervous about the unknowns.
3. Ask all of your questions. Offers may include complicated  terminology, which can be clarified for you.
4. Respond quickly. The mood for the buyer to buy is exactly when the offer is made – don’t delay.
5. Meet halfway if there are disagreements about small expenses – split the difference and move on.
6. Stay calm, even if the situation is tense.
7. Have you found the right person for your home? Make the deal happen.

Now that you’ve decided on an offer, it’s time to start the under contract process. There are a few dates and deadlines to be aware of –
title deadline, due diligence, inspection, appraisal, and loan  conditions. The under contract process can normally take anywhere
from 30-60 days.

Inspections:

One of the most crucial steps in buying a home is performing an inspection. The buyers elect to do this if they choose. The buyer’s
agent will set up a day and time that works for you to have the  inspector perform a full inspection on your home. You will be asked to leave during this time. It should take anywhere from 1-4 hours depending on the size of your home. After inspection, the buyer’s agent will send an inspection objection requesting specific repairs
or replacements, if needed. At this time you can decide which items you agree to fix, repair or replace, if any. Remember, inspection items that affect health and safety are pertinent.

The closing process finalizes the sale of your home and makes everything official. Also known as settlemen, the closing is when you get paid and the buyer receives the deed to your home.

A few things to bring to closing:

• A valid government issued picture ID
• House keys
• Garage door opener(s)
• Mailbox and any other spare keys

The escrow officer will look over the purchase contract and
identify what payments are owed and by whom/ prepare
documents for the closing; conduct the closing/ make sure
taxes, title searches, real estate commissions and other
closing costs are paid; ensure that the buyer’s title is recorded;
and ensure that you receive any money due to you.

Your Cost:

Sellers commonly pay the following at closing:

• Mortgage balance and prepayment penalties, if applicable.
• Other claims against your property, such as current or past
  due unpaid property taxes.
• Unpaid special assessments on your property
• Real estate commission.
• Title insurance policy.
• Home warranty, if applicable.
• Survey, if applicable