Seller Resources - Articles

Selling Your Home - Common Q&A About Selling Your Home

 Will you help us find a price for our Home?

* We will do a Comprehensive Market Analysis (CMA) for you.

How do I prepare the house for sale?
First and foremost, put it in the best condition possible, especially if you are in a market with few buyers and lots of homes for sale. That means taking care of any major repairs that could deter a buyer (such as replacing any broken windows or replacing a leaky roof) if you can afford it. Next, work on your home's curb appeal. Make sure your landscape is pristine. Mow the grass, clean up any debris and weed the garden beds. Plant a few annual flowers near the entrance or in pots to be placed by the door.  Other quick fixes that don't cost a lot of money but can help you get top dollar for your home:  

Do I Pay Extra for a Supra Electronic Key Box, Frame and Sign?    
*The MLS Supra Electronic Key Box, Sign and Frame are included in your Flat   Fee.  There is no extra charge for it.
* The sign is a Double Sided Metal Sign and Frame with the Brokers' Company and phone number?  You do not want a "for sale by owner sign." Agents do not like to show homes listed only by the seller, as they are afraid they will have to negotiate with both buyer and seller. Also, they want to make sure they are getting their commission.

Do I Get Flyers?

*Flyers can be printed from Realtor.Com after your house has been listed on the MLS.

*  Any changes needed to the MLS will automatically show up on Realtor.com and all of the other websites.

 Will You Help Me with Any Offers / Contracts?
* Yes, the Buyer's agent will send any offers to us, the listing agent.

* We will email you the contract and go over the contract with you page by page and negotiate with the Buyer's agent in your behalf.  We do have good negotiating skills as we negotiate more often than most realtors. This process will be completed by phone and email.

* We also help when it is time with inspection negotiations.

What is an Option Period in a Contract?

The option period in a contract allows a buyer to terminate the contract for ANY reason during the agreed upon option period without risking their earnest money. 

How long do bankruptcies and foreclosures stay on a credit report?
Bankruptcies and foreclosures can remain on a credit report for seven to 10 years. Some lenders will consider an borrower earlier if they have reestablished good credit.  The circumstances surrounding the bankruptcy can also influence a lender's decision. For example, if you went through a bankruptcy because your employer had financial difficulties, a lender may be more sympathetic. If, however, you went through bankruptcy because you overextended personal credit lines and lived beyond your means, the lender probably will be less inclined to be flexible.

What are some tips on negotiation?
The more you know about a seller's motivation, the stronger a negotiating position you are in. For example, seller who must move quickly due to a job transfer may be amenable to a lower price with a speedy escrow. Other so-called "motivated sellers" include people going through a divorce or who have already purchased another home.   Remember, that the listing price is what the seller would like to receive but is not necessarily what they will settle for. Before making an offer, check the recent sales prices of comparable homes in the neighborhood to see how the seller's asking price stacks up.
Some experts discourage making deliberate low-ball offers. While such an offer can be presented, it can also sour the sale and discourage the seller from negotiating at all.

Do sellers have to disclose the terms of other offers?
Sellers are not legally obligated to disclose the terms of other offers to prospective buyers.