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Selling your home |
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It's
time to move on...
Whether you're making a job change, retiring, need a bigger
house, or just need a change of scenery, you want to get
the most money for your house, with the right terms and
in the shortest amount of time possible. You may think
selling a home is easy, but ask yourself this ... How
many houses did you look at before you bought the one
you now own? How many other people do you suppose went
through those same homes before a buyer was found? You
may think that the first person who walks through your
door will fall in love with your place, but perhaps you
need to take a step back and find yourself a professional
realtor. A good realtor can save you money and help you
get more for your home than you can by selling it yourself.
After all, that is what they are trained to do.
Your home is one of the most valuable possessions you
will ever sell. It requires skill, experience, and understanding
of the current market for a licensed real estate professional
to represent you. His/her expertise and access to marketing
tools can maximize your return.
Pricing
One of the first things your realtor will do is help you
price your home effectively. Sometimes sellers mistakenly
price their house higher, knowing that they can lower
the price if it doesn't sell. This can often backfire
on the sellers. Buyers often shop around before they buy
and often recognize value in a specific price range because
of this comparison shopping.
Using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the realtor
will prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) which
involves a survey of homes that are on the market, or
have recently sold, that are similar to yours. Your realtor
will then advise you on the additional value (or deficit)
of your home's unique features, and factor that into the
equation. Depending upon how anxions you are to sell (and
how quickly you need to close), your realtor can suggest
different strategies to help you get top dollar for your
home.
Once you sign a Listing Agreement, your realtor will develop
a comprehensive marketing plan. But first, your realtor
will take a look at your home and may suggest ways to
make it show better. Remember what you looked for when
you bought the house? Take a look at the checklist on
the next few pages to get a better idea of how you should
look at your home through the "eyes of a buyer. "
Your realtor will put your home on the MLS so other agents
will become aware of your property. Your realtor will
also network with other agents, conduct open houses, and
suggest ways to stimulate activity. Advertising is vital.
Your realtor may also recommend incentives such as assistance
with closing costs or paying for the home warranty. This
may give the buyer the incentive to offer more or close
more quickly.
Comparative Pricing
Value is a relative term. One owner's quaint little cottage
may be another's airless old money pit. Obviously
then, you need some basis of objectivity - and you can
find it by having your realtor rate your house against
other similar houses in like neighborhoods. You can count
on your realtor to be frank if your asking price is too
high. Your realtor will work together with you to factor
in all the impor-tant aspects of your home. |
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Selling
your home | The
10 deadly sins | Home
warranty |
Suggestions to the seller | Home
inspection |
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