SELLER Resources
Selling Your Home Shouldn't be Stressfull
- Most people prefer the spring or summer months to move. So the market can start heating up as early as February. This is especially true of families with children, so they can move during the summer vacation and be settled before the new school year starts. The market can still be busy into the fall. But traditionally November and December have been the slow months. The holidays are the primary reasons, but also, because most people do not like showing their houses in the winter months.
- If you are one of the few people that might want to get a head start on the market and put your house up for sale in the winter, keep a few things in mind.
- Showing your house can be messy with people trudging inside with their boots possibly covered with snow, mud and salt. And the salt can damage your carpet and wood floors.
- The buyer won't be able to get a totally accurate picture of the landscaping, if any. And sometimes beautiful yards help sell a home.
-
There might be some advantages to selling in the winter in order to be one of the first houses listed and shown for the new-year, but most buyers prefer to relocate in the warmer months. l ordeal. Making the smart move of choosing a REALTOR® is your first step to ensuring that your investment in your home pays off. Our services and experience allow you to focus on your move while We manage your home sale from our initial consultation to the closing deal, and beyond. We pride ourselves on repeat business and hope you'll come to understand why.
- Back to top...
Getting Your Home Ready to Sell
- First impressions are not just for people, they are just as important when you are trying to sell your house. You want your potential buyer to walk away with a good impression. There are several easy, quick and low cost things you can do to increase your chances of getting your asking price and selling quickly. When people make an investment commitment as big as a house, they can be picky, and seek perfection. You can be proactive and make it an enjoyable experience by being ready.
- If you are showing in the spring or summer make sure to have the lawn and landscaping looking nice. Mowing the lawn, pruning and weeding cost nothing, but can make a big difference by looking kept up and cared for. Most people assume that if you take care of the yard, chances are, you take care of the house.
- Making sure that there is no chipped paint can make a big difference too. If your house was built before 1978, there is a new federal law that requires the seller to complete a lead base paint disclosure statement. Be proactive in this area as well. Have the inspection done beforehand, it looks good to the prospective buyer, and it saves time.
- Really clean your house before you show it. It’s simple and free, and it can make all the difference in the world. Cleaning windows inside and out can be one step that people forget, but after the winter months, it’s imperative to make the house look as clean as possible. The bathroom is another area where people seem to make judgments, so make sure your bathrooms are spotless!
- Set an ambiance. Studies have shown that soothing smells in the house can help make a house seem more like a home. Like baking cookies, cakes or pies, and even spaghetti. People like to be reminded of good memories, and cooking and baking has shown to do that. Also think about playing some soft background music and light candles if you are present when the buyers are viewing your house. This makes the place seem cozy and inviting. Small little touches can make all the difference on attracting a buyer!
- Back to top...
Getting Your House Sold Quickly and Easily
- Price Your asking price is based on two things, an appraisal and a comparative market analysis. A certified appraiser performs the appraisal; this is an estimate of the value of your house at a given time. The real estate agent does the comparative market analysis; this is an informal estimate based on comparative homes in your neighborhood. These two sources need to be kept in mind when determining your asking price. You want to be careful not to start too high, or come down too low. Also, the market is always changing and fluctuating, so be sure that your asking price is based on the most recent appraisal and comparative market analysis. Your real estate agent can help you price your house so that it will be attractive to buyers.
- Condition Making sure that all cosmetic defects are repaired before showing your house can help you save time by not losing a buyer over a small repair that could have been easily fixed prior to the showing. This is especially important when in a buyer’s market. When buyer competition is low, buyers are able to be pickier about their new home and can be easily turned off by simple repairs. The better the condition of your house in relation to your asking price, the faster it will sell.
- Exposure Once your house is priced attractively and all minor cosmetic repairs have been fixed, it is time to talk about exposure. You could have the most beautiful home with a reasonable asking price, but if no one knows about it, neither price nor condition will matter!
- Back to top...
The Reality of "For Sale By Owners"
We've all heard stories about lucky homeowners placing a "for sale" sign in the yard, opening their front door on a Sunday afternoon and receiving a full-price offer at the end of the day.
If you're thinking of selling your home, you might be lured by these successful "for sale by owner" stories. After all, you reason, why pay commission to a REALTOR®, when you could keep the profits all to yourself? But the reality of FSBO listings is far less rosy than you might think:
- Advertising works best when it's run frequently over a period of time. Most FSBO sellers, however, try to cut costs by running a single ad here and there, usually not often enough to attract the attention of many buyers. The REALTOR®, on the other hand, advertises their listings often in print media, in electronic media, and in the Multiple Listing Service, which is only available to a licensed REALTOR® and broker.
- Most homeowners believe their house is worth more than it really is. Even if you study comparable homes and try to discern the value of yours, it's still a time-consuming process and an amateur's guess. If it's not competitively priced, many prospects will simply bypass your home. If you later lower the price, you'll have to advertise again, at more cost to you.
- Most of us grow accustomed to our home's imperfections over time. A REALTOR® can see a house the way a prospect would. He or she may suggest some minor improvements, like fresh paint, new vinyl flooring or furniture arrangements that could help your home sell faster and for more money.
- A REALTOR® will qualify prospects before showing them a home. A FSBO seller is at the mercy of everyone who calls or knocks on the door. You may spend valuable time giving tours to curiosity seekers or prospects that can't afford your house.
- Prospects often shy away from FSBO homes. Some fear legal problems because of the intricate paperwork involved. Some may worry the seller is not disclosing everything about the home's condition. Others may simply feel uncomfortable negotiating directly with the owner.
Many FSBO stories, unfortunately, don't have a happy ending. After a considerable outlay of time and money, sellers often list with an agent in order to get their house sold. Unless you have a sure buyer a cousin or coworker, for instance consider listing your house with an agent right away before it grows market-weary.
Let Us List Your Home, We Will:
- Complete a comparative market analysis that will compare your home's value to that of your neighbors.
- Compile a comprehensive plan detailing all the efforts we will employ to sell your home, including Internet and local media.
- Present your home to as many qualified buyers as possible getting your home maximum exposure.
- Help you stage your home and generate curb appeal to ensure you get the highest price.
- Assist with obtaining offers and help you in negotiating the best deal as smoothly as possible.
- Help you find your next home and answer all of your questions about the local market area, including schools, neighborhoods, the local economy, and more.
- Back to top...
- Title insurance fees depend on the sales price of the home.
- Broker's commission is a full-service fee and will cost anywhere between 5% to 7%.
- Local property transfer tax, country transfer tax, state transfer tax, and state capital gains tax are the charges that you'll pay for the privilege of selling your home. Credit to the buyer of unpaid real estate taxes for the prior or current year are variable and depend on when you close and when your taxes are due.
- FHA fees and costs are all fees are now negotiable between an FHA buyer and seller.
- Home inspections fees are in some circumstances paid for by the seller and include pest, radon and other inspections.
- Miscellaneous fees can accrue from correcting problems noticed during the home inspection.
- Back to top...
To start the process of getting your house sold, please call Dulansky Homes at 512-784-2756 or just complete the form below and someone will contact you asap.
