Selling Tips
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Decide what price you're going to ask for the home, an important and difficult decision. Buyers select by comparison shopping, so your home will have to have a fair market price. What have similar homes in your area sold for? Have homes in your area been increasing or decreasing in value? Realty Agent can help you determine the market value while still obtaining the top-dollar price for your property.
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When selling your home, put forth the very best product. Buyers come for a careful inspection. Outside, paint the trim, clip the hedges, mow, edge, and weed the lawn. Inside, lighten up dark corners, add some fresh paint and put the clutter away to give rooms an open feeling. (See Improving the Value of Your Home below)
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Make sure there are no stale odors in the home. This can be especially important for remote areas such as a basement or attic. On the day of your open house, bake some cookies or bring in some fragrant fresh flowers.
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Bring your home to the buyer, count on a real estate professional who makes the best use of TV and newspaper ads, and uses state-of-the-art techniques such as an interactive voice-response system, a front end MLS system and the internet. Have a number of open houses to expose your property to a wide variety of window shoppers.
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When you get an offer, you have three options: accept the offer, reject the offer or give a counter offer. A counter offer usually will encourage a buyer to continue negotiations. You may also receive multiple offers. You may prefer to take slightly less for your property from someone who is willing to pay cash, versus someone who needs to sell their current home first. Contingencies, move-in dates, and financing are all things to consider when weighing an offer.
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Once you've accepted an offer, there will be an inspection of your home by a professional who determines the condition and integrity of your property for the buyer. The buyer's mortgage company may chose to send out an appraiser who will assure the lender of your property's worth. The title company will warranty that there are no liens or existing encumbrances which would inhibit a transfer of title to the buyer. You or the buyer may chose to be represented by an attorney. First time sellers and buyers often feel more comfortable to have the paper work reviewed prior to signing.