Top Tips for Home Sellers

Posted by sonnykwan

July 29, 2008

Use a Realtor®A Realtor® is an agent or broker who belongs to the National Association of Realtors and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Along with maintaining a high level of knowledge about real estate and marketing your home to potential buyers, a Realtor can help you evaluate and negotiate offers, remove contingencies, and assist in the escrow process. Assemble a Trusted TeamIn addition to choosing the right Realtor, you should also enlist the services of a title insurance representative, a homeowner’s insurance agent, and an escrow representative. Make Your House Sparkle!

New listings often get a lot of attention. So make sure your house is “show ready” before the keybox is on the door or the sign is in the yard. Ask your Realtor to advise you on which inexpensive touch-ups can reap the greatest reward. Also, get his or her opinion on more extensive cleaning, repairs, or renovations before you arrange for them.

Don’t OverpriceIf your home is priced competitively, it could attract multiple offers and a bidding war among potential purchasers, which could lead to a significantly higher selling price. Overpricing could make your home languish for days, weeks, or even months longer, and a price reduction might be the eventual outcome. Understand the Transaction ProcessHave your Realtor walk you through the documents that comprise the Purchase and Sale Agreement before you list your home. When offers are made—which could be within hours of the listing’s appearance in the MLS system—you’ll be better prepared to evaluate them. There’s a reason Purchase and Sales agreements are lengthy and can include so many addendums. Even provision in those pages is the result of a piece of legislation or court case. The agreement protects your most important financial asset.

Make the Most of Your Realtor’s AdviceAlong with helping you prepare your home to sell, a Realtor can provide invaluable advice on choosing which offers best suit your needs. They can also assist with evaluating contingencies, setting and controlling timelines, helping you take advantage of tax savings, and many other considerations.

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