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Preparing A House For A Home Inspection

Click on image above to see a “Virtual Home Inspection”

There are many things that a Home Inspector will be looking at during an inspection. The list below may be helpful in preparing. Many of these items can be done with little or no cost and many are regular maintenance items for a home.

  • Remove grade or mulch from contact with siding. Six (6) or more inches of clearance is preferred.
  • Clean out dirty gutters or debris from the roof.
  • Divert all water away from the house; i.e. Downspouts, sump pump, condensation drains, and the like. Grade should slope away from the structure. Clean out basement entry drains.
  • Trim trees, roots and bushes back from the foundation, roof, siding, and chimney.
  • Paint all weathered exterior wood and caulk around the trim, chimney, windows and doors.
  • Seal asphalt driveways, if cracking.
  • Seal or point up masonry chimney caps. Install metal flue cap.
  • Clean or replace HVAC filter. Clean dirty air returns and plenum.
  • Patch up any failing mortar joints in brick or block.
  • Test all smoke detectors to ensure they are in safe working condition.
  • Update attic ventilation, if none is present.
  • Have the chimney, fireplace or wood stove cleaned and provide the buyer with a copy of the cleaning record.
  • Seal masonry walls in the basement.
  • Don’t do quick cheap repairs. You may raise questions that will unfairly cause great concern to buyers and inspectors.
  • Ensure that all doors and windows are in proper operating condition, including repairing or replacing any cracked window panes.
  • Ensure that all plumbing fixtures (toilet, tub, shower, and sinks) are in proper working order. Check for and fix any leaks. Caulk around fixtures if necessary.
  • Install GFCI receptacles near all water sources. Test all present GFCI receptacles for proper operation.
  • Check septic tank for proper operation.
  • Replace any burned out light bulbs.
  • Replace rotting wood and/or firewood from contact with the house.
  • Ensure that proper grading is followed under a deck.
  • Install proper vapor barrier in crawl spaces.
  • Caulk all exterior wall penetrations.
  • Check to ensure that the crawl space is dry and install a proper vapor barrier if necessary. Remove any visible moisture from a crawl space. Moisture levels in wood should be below 18% to deter rot and mildew.
  • Check that bath vents are properly vented and in working order.
  • Remove paints, solvents, gas, and similar materials from crawl space, basement, attic, porch, and so forth.
  • If windows are at or below grade, install window wells and covers.
  • Have clear access to attic, crawl space, heating system, garage, and other areas that will need to be inspected.
  • If the house is vacant, make sure that all utilities are turned on, including water, electric, water heater, furnace, air conditioning and breaks in the main panel.

If you have any questions or concerns about a Home Inspection, be sure to contact Michelle Fradella, Associate Broker – Keller Williams Realty Professionals

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Selling Your Home? Here’s How the Process Works

Even if you’ve bought or sold a home before, this process can still be daunting. Let’s look at the many steps involved in selling a home and see how a real estate professional works to tie them all together.

Step 1: List your property with a real estate professional. Select someone who’s knowledgeable, listens carefully to identify your needs, and with whom you feel comfortable.

Step 2: Discuss how the real estate professional can assist you in finding your new home. If you have not identified a property to purchase, you’ll want to work with someone with an in-depth knowledge of the area to guide you.

Step 3: Establish price and time frame. Your listing agent will prepare a comparable market analysis (CMA), which compares your home with similar homes in the area that are currently listed, in contract or have sold within the last six months. Supply and demand, craftsmanship, amenities, condition and any special circumstances can also impact price. For instance, a relocation might necessitate a quick sale.

Step 4: Develop and implement a marketing strategy. It’s important to develop a plan that will expose your home to as many buyers as possible. This usually includes scheduling open houses, advertising in local newspapers and magazines and on the Internet, preparing property brochures, registering with a multiple listing service, exposing the listing to brokers’ and referral networks and installing a lawn sign.

Step 5: An offer is submitted. A buyer will make an offer through his agent. The buyer’s agent will present the offer to your representative, who will promptly relay it to you and help you evaluate it.

Step 6: The negotiation process begins and eventually an offer is accepted. The process of offer and counter-offer may go on until parties arrive at an acceptable contract. This step can go very quickly or take days, even weeks.

Step 7: Buyers submit a loan application and home inspections are scheduled. Most often, the loan approval is contingent upon a satisfactory appraisal and various inspections.

Step 8: The loan is approved. All parties breathe a sigh of relief and begin preparations for moving.

Step 9: The listing agent coordinates all activities required for closing. Your agent will funnel all the closing documents to the escrow agent. Papers include the deed, mortgage, numerous tax receipts, a Certificate of Occupancy and other documents. A final walk-through will also be scheduled.

Step 10: Finalize and close transaction. What you call this final real estate transaction depends on where you live and if the parties gather for the proceedings. The term settlement applies when a meeting takes place.  In colloquial terms, many people refer to this as the closing.  In Mississippi, a closing attorney or title company “closes” the loan, and all parties sign at the closing table.

Step 11: Time to move!


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Attract Buyers With A Home That Has Eye Appeal

The housing market has become much more competitive. Many communities are beginning to see homes remain longer on the market and the bargaining pendulum swing in favor of the buyer. This is called a buyer’s market, as the number of available homes outnumbers the buyers. As a seller, your challenge is to turn a buyer’s market to your advantage.

The right price is vital, because overpricing your home can cause you to eliminate potential buyers and lengthen the time that your home stays on the market. But equally important is making sure that you give your home a competitive edge by giving it creative eye appeal.

Many homeowners make the mistake believing they are selling “their home,” but once on the market your home is actually a product.  You need to create an environment the buyer can’t resist. In other words, do everything you can to make the home so attractive, charming, cozy, inviting, comfortable and exciting that a buyer will want to buy that lifestyle for himself.

This can be accomplished by making just a few improvements in your home’s presentation.  Here are some guidelines to make your property distinctive and memorable.

1.  Eliminate clutter. Have you ever noticed how model homes are perfect with no mess, clutter, or mass of personal belongings heaped about?  There should only be a few exquisite and well-placed accessories on tables, desks, chests, etc.  Also, clear kitchen and bathroom counters and furniture of everything except decorative accessories.  Put the personal things–cosmetics, toiletries, clothes, bills, papers, and homework—out of sight.  Tuck wastebaskets under counters or inside cabinets.  Clutter and personal belongings detract from the important features of the home.

2. Create a color theme. If you embark on any investment decorating, like painting, wallpaper, draperies or new furniture purchases, create a color theme that’s consistent.  Wall-to-wall carpeting should be the same throughout the house.  Neutral colors are best to please all tastes.

3. Rearrange the furniture. Just the slightest readjustments can make a big difference. Pull the furniture from against the walls to create a more intimate setting. Move furniture from one room to another. That extra armchair in the living room may create a cozy sitting area in the guest bedroom.

4.  Create custom spaces. Luxury master bathrooms, decorator kitchens, built-in cabinets, computer workstations, exercise rooms, and children’s play areas are the kinds of features that generate sales appeal.  Even if you don’t have these specific custom spaces, you can fashion them or suggest the potential for creating them.  Accessories, mirrors, plants and fluffy new towels can generate a feeling of luxury even in a plain-Jane bathroom.  Turn an extra bedroom into an exercise room if you’ve got the equipment, or a loft space into a child’s play area or hobby center.

5. Keep it clean and pristine. Dust, vacuum, mop and polish on a regular basis.  You’re not selling the furniture, but a high shine on wood furniture and floors can make a room sing.  Touch up nicks on walls and make sure the porcelain sinks and tubs and metallic fixtures shine.  Windows should sparkle.  Keep yards and landscaping neat and attractive.  Add color spots of flowers to perk up entryways and yards.

6. Consult with a professional. There are decorator professionals trained to “stage” a home for sale. They are able to offer an objective view of what buyers are looking for in your competitive market.  Depending upon location, neighborhood, demographics and price range, the special touches that turn on buyers may range from splashy master bathrooms and gourmet kitchens to children’s play areas or home offices.

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9 Deadly Mistakes Home Sellers Make

Mistake #1.  Not knowing how to price your home to sell.

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of selling a home is listing it at the correct price. It’s one of several areas where the assistance of a skilled real estate agent can more than pay for itself. Listing the home too high can be as bad as too low. If the listing price is too high, you’ll miss out on a percentage of buyers looking in the price range where your home should be. This is the flaw in thinking that you’ll always have the opportunity to accept a lower offer. Chances are the offers won’t even come in, because the buyers who would be most interested in your home have been scared off by the price and aren’t even taking the time to look.

By the time the price is corrected, you’ve already lost exposure to a large group of potential buyers. The listing price becomes even trickier to set when prices are quickly rising or falling. It’s critical to be aware of where and how fast the market is moving – both when setting the price and when negotiating an offer. Again, an experienced, well-trained agent is always in touch with market trends – often even to a greater extent than appraisers, who typically focus on what a property is worth if sold as-is, right now.

 

Mistake #2.  Using a part-time real estate agent instead of a Full-Time Realtor(R).

A part time agent is not going to be there to dedicate their full interest in selling your home. If you were in need of medical care, would you trust your body to a part-time doctor?  Your home is one of your greatest investments.  Don’t trust it to someone who isn’t working full time to market your home.

Mistake #3.  Minimal marketing exposure. 

When selling your home there are no guarantees that the ultimate buyer of your home will have simply walked through the front door. In many cases you may have to bring your home to the buyer.  Effective marketing will help ensure that your property receives maximum exposure to attract a ready, willing and able buyer in the shortest period of time. Ask your Realtor to list for you all of the ways he/she intends to market your home and on what time-line.

 

Mistake #4.  Not paying attention to “curb appeal”.

When you’re preparing your house for sale, remember the importance of first impressions. A buyer’s first impression can make or break whether they even want to go inside for a look. It is estimated that more than half of all houses are sold before the buyers even get out of their cars. With that in mind, be sure to stand outside of your home and take a realistic “fresh look” and then ask yourself what can be done to make the “curb appeal” improve. Also ask your Realtor’s opinion as to how to improve the curb appeal. It could make a huge difference in your final sales price.

 

Mistake #5.  Forgetting about health and safety issues.

Be upfront and disclose to your Realtor any problems with the property. The problems are going to be discovered anyway. A decade ago, health and safety issues were rarely a part of the typical real estate transaction. Today, however, it’s common for inspections relating to health, safety, and even environmental concerns to be a part of most sales contracts. Moreover, in many states, the seller must disclosure to the buyer any knowledge of existing property problems. In many cases, these issues have been or can be factored into the home’s listing price.

Mistake #6.  Forgetting to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes

Remember that although people can be different in personality, they tend to be the same when it comes to expectations at someone else’s expense. In other words, a prospective buyer would probably like to see a perfect home from top to bottom, inside and out, when it comes to your home. Try to do as many of the following items as possible to improve the likelihood of your home sale in an expedient way.

On the outside

o       Sweep front walkway.

o       Remove newspapers, bikes and toys.

o       Park extra cars away from the property.

o       Trim back the shrubs.

o       Apply fresh, clean paint throughout.

o       Clean windows and window coverings throughout.

o       Keep plumbing and all appliances in working order.

o       Maintain all sealant (window, tub, shower, sink, etc.) in good condition.

o       Make sure roof and gutters are clean and in good condition.

o       Mow the lawn frequently and plant flowers.

o       Keep pet areas clean.

On the inside

o       The kitchen and bathroom should shine.

o       Quick once-over with the vacuum; carpets should be clean.

o       Place fresh flowers in the main rooms.

o       Put dishes away, unless setting a formal display for decoration.

o       Make all beds and put all clothes away.

o       Open drapes and turn on lights for a brighter feel.

o       Straighten closets.

o       Put toys away.

o       Turn off television.

o       Play soft music on the radio/stereo.

o       Keep pets out of the way and pet areas clean and odor-free.

o       Secure jewelry, cash, prescription medication and other valuables.

o       Enhance the spaciousness of each room.

 

 

Mistake #7.  Thinking you need to be in the home to explain things to a prospective buyer.

You will be better served if you allow your Realtor to do their job without you there.  An experienced Realtor will know how to show your home, and point out the items that matter most to their buyers.  Most potential buyers usually feel more comfortable if they can speak freely to the real estate professional without the owners being present.  If people who are unaccompanied by an agent request to see your property, you should refer them to your real estate professional for an appointment.

Mistake #8.  Not planning your move early enough.

Many sellers simply don’t plan their move early enough and then feel totally overwhelmed at the time of moving out of the house. If you are able to move at any time of the year, don’t wait until summer, the peak-moving season. Consider also that the first and last few days of the month are extra busy. If you plan to sell your house, get it on the market as soon as possible. Keep a record of all expenses related to the move, some of which may be tax deductible.

Fill out the Personal Household Inventory for each room. This is important for establishing the amount of declared valuation for the shipment and as a permanent inventory for insurance purposes. List, as nearly as possible, the year of purchase and original cost of each item. Attach any invoices or records of purchase to the completed inventory.

Prepare a separate high-value inventory if the shipment will contain articles of “extraordinary” value. The following list includes items that might fall into this category:

o       Antiques

o       Art Collections

o       Cameras

o       China  Collections

o       Computer Equipment

o       Crystal

o       Figurines

o       Firearms

o       Jewelry

o       Manuscripts

o       Oriental Rugs

o       Silver

o       Stones Or Gems

o       Tapestries

o       TVs Or Stereos

 

Also, unless you have been given a binding moving estimate where a firm cost is established in advance, the exact cost of a move cannot be determined until after the shipment has been loaded on the van and weighed. The weight on which charges are based is calculated by weighing the van before and after loading. The total cost of the move will include transportation charges, any charges for declared valuation, plus charges for any extra services performed at your request. All of these charges are based on tariff rate schedules.

 

Mistake #9.  Using a “discount broker” to list your home.

When working with a real estate agent, it’s critical that you have full confidence in that agent’s experience and education.  A skilled, knowledgeable agent will be a great negotiator.  If an agent is willing to drop their fees, before they even begin marketing your home, how strong of a negotiator do you believe they will be when it’s time to stand strong for YOU and negotiate the best price possible for your home?

These agents also offer less of the commission split to a cooperating broker (the one that will most likely be bringing the buyer for your home), and if your home is offering less commission, it will most likely be placed on the bottom of the properties offered to their buyers (if it’s even included in the list at all).  Think about it this way – if you were going to be offered $3000 on one job, and $2000 on another, which job would YOU pick to work?

 

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8 Hints to Help Sell Your Home Fast

By Jenny McCune • Bankrate.com

In a hurry to sell your house? Here are some ways to set a winning pace in the home-sale race.

1. Hire a top-notch sales agent – “You need a good agent, an agent who knows your neighborhood” says Julie Greenwood, co-owner of Greenwood King Properties, a Houston real estate agency.

2. Price it right – The No. 1 thing that will sell a house quickly is price. “That’s the name of the game,” says Tom Innes, president of Re/Max Commonwealth in Richmond, Va. “If you price it right, it will sell. If you price it wrong, it won’t sell.” OK, so just how do you play the home-sale-version of “The Price is Right”? That crackerjack agent you hired should have a good sense of what price will help sell your home sooner rather than later. As the owner, you are probably not objective, so give your agent free rein, within reason, to set the price. The broker will look at the average days a home in your neighborhood is on the market, how your home compares to others in the area and its condition.

3. Create an adjustable sales plan – Come up with a sales strategy, but make sure it’s flexible. What’s your initial asking price? How long will you insist on it before making a reduction? How much of a cut will you accept? What about after that? Having a plan in place will help you react quickly, according to Greenwood, and will move your home that much more quickly.

4. Clear out the clutter – “Get the clutter out of it,” says Stephen Roulac, author of the forthcoming “360 Housing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.” It will make your home more inviting to buyers. “After you thought you got out the clutter, take out more. Get it spare, open and fresh.”

5. Offer incentives – Incentives can help shorten the sales cycle, but be careful. Agents are divided on how much they help. “I think it can be a fine line between wanting to sell a house quickly and having it look like it’s a fire sale,” Greenwood says. If prospective buyers get the idea that you’re desperate to sell, they will try to get you to accept a bargain-basement price.  Roulac, however, believes that adding premiums can help speed a house sale. A popular incentive offered purchasers is closing-cost help. You also can encourage your sales agent: Offer a higher commission for a speedy sale or give your broker show tickets, a meal at a fine restaurant or some other perk if the property moves quickly.

6. They buy houses, don’t they? – What about those “cash for homes” ads you see on matchbook covers, billboards and late-night TV? Agents say houses sold this way are heavily discounted. You will sell your property quickly, but it will go cheap, probably at a price that really won’t make you happy. “If it’s too good of an offer to be true, it is too good of an offer,” says Re/Max’s Innes.

7. Ask for company help – If you’re relocating because of a job change or company transfer, you may be eligible for home-sale help from your employer or a relocation company representing your employer. “Generally speaking, these buyouts are fair,” says Todd Thornton, a real estate instructor, consultant and author of “Home Buying Without the BS.”
“An appraiser would appraise the property and the buyout would be for the suggested fair market value less a sales fee,” he explains. “The company would then put the home on the market with a local real estate professional.” While that’s a great deal for the home sellers, Thornton notes that many companies are scaling back on their relocation packages, so it may not be an option.

8. Rent it – If time runs out and you’ve got to get out of Dodge without selling your home, consider renting it. Just be sure to strike a deal with the renters so your home will be available for showing. For example, if a home such as yours normally rents for $1,000 a month, offer a discount (say $750) in exchange for the renters making the house accessible for showings to potential buyers.  The downside of renting a house that you’re trying to sell is that its condition probably won’t be as pristine as you or buyers would like. One way around this problem, says Innes, is to rent with an option to buy. “Let people move in six months and pay rent and then close,” he says.

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5 Reasons You Need a REALTOR®

  1. A real estate transaction is complicated. In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes.
  2. Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a strong market, homes in our area stay on the market for an average of 150 days. And it usually takes another 45 days or so for the transaction to close after an offer is accepted.
  3. Real estate has its own language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with someone who speaks that language.
  4. REALTORS® have done it before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. That’s why having an expert on your side is critical.
  5. REALTORS® provide objectivity. Since a home often symbolizes family, rest, and security, not just four walls and roof, homeselling or buying is often a very emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you keep focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you.
REALTORS®are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, a trade organization of more than 1 million members nationwide. REALTORS® subscribe to a stringent code of ethics that helps guarantee the highest level of service and integrity
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20 Steps to Help You Sell Your Home

  1. MAKE THE MOST OF THAT FIRST IMPRESSION – A well-manicured lawn and shrubs, and a clutter free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted or a freshly scrubbed front door. If it’s autumn, rake the leaves. If it’s winter, make sure there’s no ice on the sidewalk or steps. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.
  2. INVEST IN A FEW HOURS FOR FUTURE DIVIDENDS- Here’s your chance to clean up in real estate. Clean up in the bedroom, the bathroom and the kitchen. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration. Fresh wallpaper adds charm and value to your property. Prospects would rather see how great your home looks than hear how great it could look with a little work.
  3. CHECK FAUCETS AND BULBS – Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned-out bulbs leave prospects in the dark. Don’t let little problems detract from what is right about your home.
  4. DON’T SHUT OUT A   SALE – If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in the prospect’s mind. Don’t try to explain sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort can smooth the way towards a closing.
  5. THINK SAFETY – Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby-traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slipperythrow rugs and low-hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for visitors.
  6. MAKE ROOM FOR SPACE – Remember potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They are looking for storage space too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.
  7. CONSIDER YOUR CLOSETS – The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now’s the time to box those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.
  8. MAKE YOUR BATHROOMS SPARKLE – Bathrooms sell homes so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, use your best towels, mats and shower curtains.
  9. CREATE DREAM BEDROOMS – Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedroom. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.
  10. OPEN UP IN THE DAYTIME – Let the sun in. Pull back your curtains and a drape so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home really is. Be sure your windows are sparkling clean too.
  11. LIGHTEN UP AT NIGHT- Turn on the excitement. Turn on all your lights, both inside and out, when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color, warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.
  12. AVOID CROWD SCENES – Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they are likely to hurry through. Keep the company present to a minimum.
  13. WATCH YOUR PETS – Dogs and cats are great companions, but they are not when you’re showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting in the way. Do everybody a favor: keep your dog or cat outside if you can, or at least out of the way. Also, be sure your home does not have any pet odor that could make the buyer feel uncomfortable.
  14. THINK VOLUME – Rock ‘n roll will never die, but it might kill a real estate transaction. When it’s time to show your home, it’s time to lower the volume on the stereo or TV.
  15. RELAX – Be friendly, and don’t try to force conversation. Prospects want to view your home with a minimum of distractions or interruptions.
  16. DON’T APOLOGIZE – No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings. If a prospect volunteers a derogatory remark about your home, let Michelle handle the situation.
  17. KEEP A LOW PROFILE – Nobody knows your home as well as you do, but Michelle knows the buyers. She will know what they need or what they want. Michelle will have an easier time articulating the virtues of your home if you stay in the background.
  18. DON’T TURN YOUR HOME INTO A SECOND-HAND STORE – When a prospect comes to view your horne, don’t distract them with offers to sell your furnishings. You may lose the biggest sale of all; that is, your home.
  19. DEFER TO EXPERIENCE – When prospects want to talk about price, terms and conditions, or other real estate matters, let them speak to the expert, Michelle Fradella. That’s when a good agent earns his or her pay by putting highly effective negotiating and training techniques to use.
  20. HELP MICHELLE – Michelle will have an easier time selling your home if showings are scheduled through the agent’s office. You’ll also appreciate the results. If a prospect contacts you directly, get their name and number and give it to Michelle.
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15 Tips for Packing Like a Pro

1. Plan ahead by organizing and budgeting. Develop a master “to do” list so you won’t forget something critical. To estimate moving costs, use a moving calculator.
2. Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.
3. But don’t throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, you’re probably right. However, it’s possible to go overboard in the heat of the moment. Ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you’d feel if you no longer had it. That will eliminate regrets after the move.
4. Pack like items together. Put toys with toys, kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils. It will make your life easier when it’s time to unpack.
5. Decide what, if anything, you plan to move yourself. Precious items such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move should probably stay with you. Don’t forget to keep a “necessities” bag with tissues, snacks, and other items you’ll need that day.
6. Use the right box for the item. Loose items are prone to breakage.
7. Put heavy items in small boxes so they’re easier to lift. Keep weight of each box under 50 pounds, if possible.
8. Don’t over-pack boxes. That will increase the chances that items inside the box will break.
9. Wrap every fragile item separately and pad bottom and sides of boxes.
10. Label every box on all sides. You never know how they’ll be stacked and you don’t want to have to move other boxes aside to find out what’s there.
11. Use color-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Color-code a floor plan for your new house to help movers.
12. Keep your moving documents together in a file. Including important phone numbers, driver’s name, and moving van number. Also keep your address book handy.
13. Back up your computer files before moving your computer.
14. Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as soon as it arrives.
15. Remember, most movers won’t take plants. If you don’t want to leave them behind, you should plan on moving them yourself.
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10 Tips For First-Time Sellers

At first the task seems daunting: You haven’t sold a home before, the market looks complex, and what worked for owners 10 or 20 years ago seems inappropriate today.
What steps should you take? Here’s a baseline list to get you started.  You Can Do It. Other owners have done it and so can you.
Define Your Goal.
Do you want the highest sales price — or the biggest check at closing? They’re not necessarily the same. Imagine that two homes sell for $300,000, but one owner pays 2 points and agrees to replace the roof. The owner who sold without such costs got a bigger check at settlement. The bottom line: To have a successful sale you need to look at both price and terms — you must have a strong negotiator in your corner.
Times Have Changed.
Today’s real estate marketplace is radically different when compared with 10 years ago. Purchasers now use the Internet, receive seller disclosure forms, get home inspections, and are routinely represented by buyer brokers. The result is that buyers can be better prepared than in the past.
Sparkle And Shine.
Imagine going to a supermarket and seeing dusty fruit or aisles filled with old shelving and cans. It doesn’t happen because the grocery store knows how to present its goods. Sellers must do the same. Get rid of things you don’t want to move, organize closets and storage areas, and clean everywhere.
Mechanics Count.
Buyers expect everything to work. Home inspections are now entirely common and what buyers miss home inspectors will catch. Fix and paint things now and they won’t be an issue in the future.
Think Broadway.
When buyers see your home, it’s showtime. They want an environment where they can see themselves. Given them a show where everything is painted, arranged, and attractive, a home where the only issue is when to move in.
How’s The Market?
Real estate is local. Your broker can explain current market trends in your community, including what’s selling, what isn’t selling, and why. This information is central to getting the best possible price and terms.
Know Your Rivals.
Your property will be competing with other homes for buyer attention. Ask your broker how to be competitive — and how to have an edge.
What Time Is It?
Markets differ by location and time. When interest rates are low and the local job base is growing, it’s great to be a seller. But when times are slack and mortgage rates are rising, homes also sell. In 1981, when the prime rate topped 20 percent and the population was smaller, 2.4 million existing homes were sold. The trick is to be realistic, to get as much as market conditions will allow.
Understand The Plan.
Real estate marketing involves far more than a sign in the yard and an ad in the paper. Successful brokers use a variety of methods to attract and qualify prospects, including the latest Internet and communication advances.
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Can You Afford to Sell your Home?

by Michelle Fradella, Associate Broker – Keller Williams Realty Professionals

With the market changing drastically over the past few years, there is a new question that must be asked – “Can you, Mr/Mrs Seller, afford to sell your home?”  Now this question may be a bit alarming to some people, but the fact of the matter is sellers are finding that the market is not able to sustain the amount of money they owe on their homes (if they have refinanced in the past 5 years), and they may not be able to get enough for their home to actually close without bringing money to the table.

Many sellers may have heard about, and think they are in the position to consider a “short sale”, but unfortunately not everyone realizes the intricacies of doing one.  It’s important for a seller to notify their Realtor AT THE TIME OF LISTING, that they will come short of the amount they need to pay off their loan, and will need to ask the lender for the possibility of a short sale.  Keep in mind, however, that the lender is never, in any way, obligated to actually take less than what is owed on the house, and that there are specific circumstances that must be present, in order for this to be considered.

A short sale is not something that can be handled overnight, either.  The process will all depend on many variables that are not the same in each case.   A short sale can take as short as a few weeks, or a few months, to over a year to get approved.  A buyer may not be willing to wait for you to get that approval, or their lender may not let them wait, either.

Another important factor to know is that (even if you are in the process of working a short sale with your lender, and have a buyer ready to buy) if you don’t make your regular payments to your lender, they can, AND WILL, foreclose on your home.  If you aren’t able to make the payments during this time, your Realtor needs to know this, so they can also be in touch with the Foreclosure Department for your lender, and communicate with them constantly to assure that the house isn’t taken in foreclosure.  It’s standard practice that the foreclosure department and short sale department of a lender do not communicate with each other, and things can go wrong very quickly.

When putting your house on the market, you have to disclose to all Realtors and parties that your home can only go to closing if the lender approves a short sale.  You will also need to get all the contact information for your lender to your Realtor so they can be in constant contact with the lender to assure that things are moving in the right direction.  Be aware that not all Realtors are experienced in the intricacies of short sales.  It’s very important for your Realtor to know and understand the process, to be able to assist you in the best way possible.  Look for a Realtor that has the “SFR” designation (Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource).

Remember to always disclose to your Realtor, up-front, what your true situation is, and be prepared to be in the process for the long haul.