Selling Strategies

• What are the basic steps to selling my home?
• What are the six biggest mistakes home sellers make?
• Can a used house compete effectively against new construction?
• If I try to sell my home myself, I know I can save the sales commission. So what could I lose?
• How can a home warranty help me sell my home?
• Will the new lead paint rules affect my sale?

Pricing

• Who says what my home is worth?
• Why is it dangerous to overprice my home?
• What factors do NOT affect my price?
• My house is one of a kind. How do you put a price on a unique property?

Fixing Up

• How much fixing up is enough?
• How can I jump-start my home sale with a stunning entrance?
• Why should I replace and update now when I’ll be moving out soon?
• Do buyers like a furnished house better?
• Is it better to replace the carpet or offer a carpeting allowance to buyers?
• What’s a cheap and easy way to make my home more attractive to buyers?

Negotiating Offers

• What happens when a buyer makes an offer?
• How do agents turn a "Tire-Kicker Wannabe" into a "Sign-Here Buyer?"
• Is negotiating with out-of-town buyers any different?
• Who pays the fee of a buyer's agent?
• What is a contingency?

Closing

• In general, what should I expect to happen at closing?
• Should I make the payment on my old mortgage a few days before closing on a new loan?
• Do I need to reinvest my proceeds to avoid taxes?
• Are there any tax consequences to closing?
• What happens if the appraisal is too low?

FAQs

• How can I reduce the hassle of keeping my house in showcase shape?
• How do I overcome a sluggish market to sell my house?
• What is the difference between a "Buyers' Market" and a "Sellers' Market?"
• Is it a good idea to put the house on the market through the holidays?
• What is earnest money?
• Why do I pay a commission on the sale of my house?
• What is a "walk through" and what should I expect?
  

What are the basic steps to selling my home?

    Do your homework.
Read a couple of books on home selling, go through the real estate section of the local newspaper and attend some Open Houses in the your area.
    Hire a specialist.
As neighborhood real estate agents that specialize in listing in your area, we know what it takes to sell in this market. We welcome your call!
    Set the price.
Ask your agent for an analysis of the local market and an opinion of the best price range for your home.
    Set a marketing strategy.
Have your agent discuss a marketing plan and include the main elements in the listing presentation.
    Get the house ready.
With your agent, take a hard, objective look at your home. Prioritize what needs to be done, and decide how much you can spend in time and money to make it look its best before opening it up to buyers. Get rid of all clutter and put some of your stuff in storage to make the rooms and closets roomier. Put together an information packet on local amenities, your utility bills and other helpful information.
    Consider finding a reliable real estate attorney.
The attorney can help review all the paperwork.
    Keep on top of the process.
Stash some quick clean-up supplies close at hand, and do a fast run-through before letting a prospective buyer preview your home. Also, keep a notebook handy with a record of everyone who has come through (and their agents), and inform your agent after each visit. This can speed the follow-up that your agent will do.