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You
may be asking yourself, is it really worth it to go with a
realtor? It wouldn't be that hard to sell my house. The following
is a list of things that we are happy to do for you, making
the selling process that much easier for you.
[Click
here to see statistics on where buyers come from.]
We will:
Estimate the value of your property by comparing it with other
home sales in your neighborhood to ensure the best price for
everyone.
Prepare, coordinate and pay for advertising the sale of your
home.
Gather information about your home, information that buyers
need to know, such as square footage, nearby schools, type
of heating and/or air conditioning, etc.
Help you locate financing, get appraisals, home inspections,
and other things related to closing the sale of your home.
Advise you on various aspects of the contracts and negotiations
with the buyer.
Give you peace of mind. You have the security of knowing that
we are legally representing you and acting in your best interests.
The following information is beneficial when preparing your
home to be viewed by prospective buyers. With a little effort,
your home can sell more quickly and possibly at a better price.
A home that stands out among similarly priced, competitively
financed houses is the one that sells. Here are some tips
for making preparations to show your house.
- Windows
should be clean. Open your curtains and show the buyer how
bright and cheerful your home is. For an evening inspection,
turn on all your lights. Proper lighting of your house is
a welcome sign to a potential buyer.
- First
impressions are lasting, so view your house through the
critical eyes of a home buyer. Depending on the season,
keep your lawn trimmed and edged, or remove snow and ice
from the walks and steps. Keep your garage doors closed
and trash containers out of sight.
- Replace
all burned-out light bulbs. A dripping water faucet suggests
faulty plumbing. Loose knobs, sticking doors and broken
cabinet drawers detract from your home's value; please fix
them. Minor repairs can make all the difference!
- Paint
and touch up your walls for a quick sale. Faded walls and
scratched woodwork reduce buyer appeal. Your house will
show the best with a fresh coat of paint. Remember, it is
difficult to anticipate the tastes of strangers. Use neutral
colors and show buyers a sparkling clean home.
- Show
your house from top to bottom. Show buyers the full space
of your attic, basement and other utility spaces by removing
all unnecessary articles. Brighten dark, dull basements
by painting walls; cure damp smells with a bag of limestone.
Now is a good time to wash the outside of your water heater,
change the furnace filter and make sure inspection access
is easy.
- Keep
stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible
injuries. Safety first!
- Make
your closets look bigger by cleaning them. Neat and orderly
closets show that space is ample. (Since you will be moving
anyway, remove or pack items that can be stored elsewhere.)
- Many
buyers judge housekeeping by the kitchen. Oven, stove and
other appliances should be spotless. Repair or replace anything
that sticks, squeaks or drips. Counter space should be kept
open and uncluttered; store counter top appliances.
- Let
the salesperson and the buyer talk, free from disturbances.
Turn off the radio or television.
- Bathrooms
also help sell homes. Rust stains and dripping faucets suggest
faulty plumbing, as in the kitchen. Check and repair caulking
and grouting if necessary. Tile should be free of soap film,
as well as the sink, toilet and tub.
- Arrange
the bedrooms neatly, they should be uncluttered. Pay special
attention to closet spaces. Clean closets look bigger!
- The
ideal garage holds only cars. Sell, give or throw away unnecessary
articles. Clean oily spots on cement floors and use strong
overhead lighting. Keep storage areas and workbenches orderly.
- The
family room and living room are centers of family activity
and should be open and inviting. Try fresh flowers, wood
in the fireplace and either air conditioning or fresh air
to set the atmosphere.
- Avoid
having too many people present during inspections. It's
best to show the home when no one is there, so the prospective
buyer won't feel like an intruder who wants to hurry through
the house.
- You
should let the buyer's agent discuss price, terms, possession
and other factors with the buyer.
- When
showing your house, be courteous, but don't force conversation.
Try to stay in the background, but be prepared to answer
questions if asked. The potential buyer wants to inspect
your home, nothing more. Do not apologize for the condition
of your home. After all, it has been lived in.
- Pets
underfoot can be a problem. If at all possible, keep pets
out of the house.

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