Home Selling Tips

1. When is the best time to put my house on the market?

While there are seasonal factors and market conditions that can have an impact on the sale of a home, the best time to list a house is whenever you decide you would like to sell. Typically, the spring and fall are the busiest real estate periods because homes tend to show best during those pleasant weather seasons. However, a busy season means more homes are on the market and more competition.The strength of the real estate market, current interest rates and the overall economy are other factors that can have an effect when trying to sell your home. While all of these conditions may affect the length of time a home remains on the market, they should not have a major impact on the ability of a sales associate to sell a home that is priced right.

2. Fair Market Value

Buying or selling a home is likely the largest transaction a person will make in a lifetime. Therefore, it’s understandable that people want to feel they bought or sold a home at a “fair” price and dread feeling like they left significant money on the table or spent too much.

But how do we determine what is “fair?” Simply put, the fair market value of a house is the highest price an informed buyer will pay, assuming there is no unusual pressure to complete the purchase. Often, this is different then the asking price. Determining fair market value will give potential buyers or sellers a realistic outlook on the current real estate market.

3. Competitive Market Analysis

For both homebuyers and sellers alike, determining the fair market value of a property is a necessary step when deciding on an initial offer or asking price. Listing a home too high can lengthen the time a home sits on the market, while making an offer considerably lower than asking price can hurt a buyer’s credibility with the seller.

A real estate professional can conduct a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA) of a property to give a free estimate of the fair market value. The analysis will provide information about recent sales of similarly styled houses in the immediate area, including how much they sold for and how long it took the properties to sell. The analysis will also include those comparable properties that are actively on the market.

Feel free to contact us if you would like additional information on fair market value or Competitive Market Analysis.

4. What if we can’t sell my house before we move?

Anyone who has ever purchased and sold homes at the same time knows how stressful it can be. Perhaps the biggest concern is whether or not you can sell your current house before moving into your next. If you do find yourself in that situation, there are some options you can consider.

If you do not have to sell your house in order to buy a new home, consider renting your existing home to create reliable monthly income. If you need to sell your house to purchase another, you may have to secure special “bridge” financing from a lender. Another option is to list your home with a broker who offers a guaranteed sales plan such as the ERA® Sellers Security® Plan - a written agreement to buy your house at a pre-determined price if it doesn’t sell by a certain date.

5. Curb Appeal

In real estate, as in anything, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. As prospective buyers pull up to a home they are already beginning to form an opinion about the property. Increasing your “curb appeal” can help ensure your home makes a good first impression.

“Curb appeal” is the common real estate term for everything a buyer can see from the street that might shape their opinion. Increasing your home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. Simply adding a new coat of paint, maintaining the lawn or sprucing up the shrubbery can do the trick. Just remember, the key to increasing curb appeal is neatness and neutrality.

If you are considering selling your home, we would be glad to set up an appointment to show you ways you could increase your home’s curb appeal.

6. What can we do to make my house show better?

While major home improvements such as finished basements, remodeled kitchens and patios add obvious value to a house, homeowners preparing to put their home on the market often do not want to incur any major expenses. Here are a few simple and inexpensive ways to help a home show better when the time comes to sell.

• Get rid of clutter: Discard, donate or sell items that are no longer needed to make the home look more spacious.
• Clean: Wash floor boards, shampoo carpets, use a power washer to clean the exterior and do everything else needed to make the house as clean as possible.
• Cosmetic repairs: Repaint walls, replace light bulbs, remove outdated wallpaper and re-grout bathroom tile.
• Updating: Replace inexpensive items such as drawer handles, door knobs, faucets and light fixtures to give the home a newer feel.

7. Should we be prepared to negotiate?

Just as sellers have a price in mind they would like to receive for their home, most buyers have a figure in mind they are willing to pay for a house. With a purchase as important as a house, most buyers leave room for negotiating when making an offer to get the best possible terms. Likewise, many sellers list their house for slightly more than they expect to receive as a sales strategy.

Whether you are looking to buy or sell a house in the near future, it helps to be prepared to be flexible. Recognizing that negotiation is a common element of real estate can help you remain calm and rational, and ultimately complete a transaction that otherwise might not happen. In particular, real estate associates can provide valuable advice and skills to help you in your negotiations.

To discuss real estate sales and purchase strategies further, please feel free to contact us.

8. Why should we use a Realtor® to sell my house?

For many, a home is the most expensive and prized possession they will ever own. Therefore, it is understandable that they would like to receive as much money as possible when they decide to sell it. Some sellers believe they can make more money by selling on their own, but there are a number of reasons to consider using a real estate sales associate when selling a home.

People often underestimate the cost, time and effort needed to sell a home. When you use a real estate associate, he/she handles all of the expenses and works to market your home. Unlike people who sell on their own, real estate professionals are always “on-call” to sell your home. Sales associates can also share their knowledge, as well as vast information they have at their disposal, with sellers to both help sell their house and avoid costly mistakes. Ultimately, choosing to work with a sales associate may save money in the long run because the home may sell quickly and for more money.

9. Multiple Listing Service - MLS®

When you decide to sell your home, you will obviously want to bring as many buyers to the home as possible. After all, if you increase the pool of potential buyers, you increase the chances of selling. By listing with a real estate professional, your home can be included in a multiple listing service (MLS) to help significantly increase its exposure.

Real estate brokers who participate in an MLS program agree to share commission on the sale of a house listed by any broker in the system. As a result, more professionals are now working to sell your home and this helps increase the pool of buyers.

10. ERA® Sellers Security® Plan

There is no shortage of competent, hard-working real estate professionals out there who are interested in selling your home. The trick is to select a sales associate who provides quality customer service and also offers the best ability to expose your home to potential buyers.

In the past, guaranteed sales programs like the ERA® Sellers Security® Plan were exclusively seen as tools for homebuyers. However, these programs can also help sellers market their homes. Brokers who offer guaranteed sales programs increase the pool of potential buyers by creating more qualified non-contingent buyers. In other words, buyers, who would normally have to first sell their current home, are now able to purchase the home from a seller.

We would be happy to provide you with additional information on how we can utilize the ERA Sellers Security Plan to help sell your home.

11. The Open House

Sellers often wonder what to expect when their sales associate holds an open house at their home.

While there is always a possibility that an open house will lead to an immediate sale, that is usually not the case. However, it is important to keep in mind that the greater value of holding an open house is in the information it can provide. The number of people who show up for an open house can provide valuable feedback on the listing price, curb appeal and current market for that particular home. Typically, potential homebuyers like to attend open houses because they provide a low-pressure chance to view a house. Buyers who see the home and are interested will often call for a private showing at a later date. This also offers the sales associate a chance to get more feedback about the home. If you are considering selling your home in the future, we can develop a specific marketing strategy to help sell your home.

12. Selecting the Right Real Estate Professional

Today, there are more real estate professionals to choose from than ever before. When selling a house, focusing on two key factors — competence and comfort - can help you select the sales associate best suited for your needs to make your real estate experience as smooth as possible.

It is important to evaluate if a sales associate has the ability to meet your real estate objectives. Ask the sales associate to provide a sales history, credentials and letters of recommendations. Pay attention to see if they have experience in your price range and neighborhood. Once you determine the sales associate can get the job done, decide if you are comfortable around them. Since you will have to interact with this person on a regular basis, it is important that you can get along. In the end, if you trust in your sales associate’s ability and feel comfortable with them, you should have greater peace of mind when selling a home.

If you are considering selling your home in the future, we can develop a specific marketing strategy to help sell your home.

13. Home Warranty

When buying a home, particularly an older house, buyers are often understandably concerned about the potential need for expensive home repairs in the future. Home warranty programs, such as the ERA® Home Protection Plan®, are available to buyers and sellers to help alleviate this concern.

Home warranty programs offer protection for the seller and buyer, covering most major repair or replace expenses within a home for up to a year or more after closing. With this added sense of security, it is easy to see why houses covered by home warranty programs on average sell faster than comparable homes without any such protection.

If you are interested in learning more about the ERA Home Protection Plan, contact us; we would be glad to provide you with additional information.

14. Neighborhood and School Information

Good schools and a safe, enjoyable neighborhood are two of the most common reasons why homebuyers select a particular house. Not surprisingly, these factors have a great impact on the value of real estate. If you are considering purchasing a home, it pays to learn all you can about the schools and local community.

But how do you get such information? You can start by calling the township to request information on public transportation, parks and recreational areas, city services and local amenities. The department of education in most states provides test scores and state rankings for each school district. The Internet is another good source for information. Web sites like ERA.com provide access to neighborhood and school district information. Of course, working with a real estate professional is perhaps the easiest way to get this information. Sales associates take pride in knowing the communities they serve and can provide homebuyers with a wealth of local knowledge.

15. Valuable Real Estate Resources

For first time buyers or sellers, the world of real estate can seem overwhelming at times. There are often terms and concepts that are unfamiliar and can be confusing. However, resources are available to help consumers become more familiar and comfortable with the real estate process.

A sales associate can also be a valuable resource for real estate information. These professionals take the time to discuss the issues you are interested in and can provide you with resource manuals like ERA® Answers — a comprehensive guide that addresses the most frequently asked questions about real estate.

We would be glad to provide you with a copy of the ERA® Answers guide if you are interested.

16. Buyer’s Agent vs. Seller’s Agent

The process of buying or selling a home is often one of the most important and often stressful events in life. That is why it is critical that buyers and sellers understand the specific roles of the sales associates that represent them in the real estate process.

Many buyers choose to be represented by a buyer’s agent — that is a sales associate that exclusively represents the buyer and their interests in the real estate transaction. Agency laws vary from state to state, but typically before you begin working with a real estate professional, they should present you with a disclosure statement that explains the difference between buyer’s agent and seller’s agent, and what dual agency means.

17. Five Things Buyers Should Look For in a Sales Associate

Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home, selecting a sales associate that can meet your needs is an important decision. It is important to evaluate if a sales associate has the ability to meet your real estate objectives.

Here are five things you should look for in a sales associate:

1. Select a sales associate who knows every detail of the community, from schools to parks and neighborhoods to shops.
2. Choose a sales associate who subscribes to at least one Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to gain access to the most available homes in your market or to properly list the home you are selling.
3. Work with a professional who can offer all of the necessary services and products to market your home
4. Choose a sales associate who can offer a homeowner warranty to avoid the headache of unexpected and unwanted repair costs in your new home as a buyer, or to make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
5. Select a professional who is first and foremost dedicated to your satisfaction and will listen to your needs to provide customized service specific to your situation.

18. The Role of an Attorney

Both buyers and sellers are required to review, amend and sign numerous papers during a real estate transaction. To the general public, these legal documents can be rather confusing. As a result, many people prefer to hire an attorney to manage the transaction and ensure that they don’t make any costly mistakes. An attorney will review the real estate contract and make you aware of any potential issues that might conflict with your best interest. Your attorney will usually accompany you to the closing as well to help make sure everything goes smoothly. If you are considering buying or selling a home now or in the future, contact us; we would be glad to recommend a real estate attorney in the area.

19 Types of Mortgages

Nearly all home buyers need to secure a mortgage when purchasing a home. Today, there are a wide variety of mortgage options available. Taking the time to discover the best mortgage product for your needs can offer great rewards in the long run.

While there are countless variations, most common mortgages can be categorized as either fixed or variable. Fixed mortgages offer the same interest rate and monthly payment over the life of the loan, while variable mortgages offer adjustable rates or payments. ARMs (Adjustable Rate Mortgages), the most popular variable mortgage option, offer a lower-than-market interest rate to provide buyers financial flexibility initially during the mortgage, with the trade off being the potential for higher interest rates and monthly payments later on.

Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in learning more about mortgage products or any other real estate information.

20. What are the benefits of being pre-approved for a loan?

Applying for a pre-approval from a lender is a quick and easy way for homebuyers to increase appeal with sellers. A pre-approval is an agreement from a bank or mortgage company to provide a loan up to a certain amount for the purchase of a home. While the lender commits to providing a loan, the buyer is under no obligation to use that company. If presented with a more attractive loan offer, the buyer can elect to use another lender without paying any penalty or fee.

Sellers prefer to work with buyers who are pre-approved because they know they are serious about purchasing a home and will not waste their time. An added benefit of being pre-approved is that it provides buyers with the peace of mind of knowing they are looking for a home they can afford and they are not spending beyond their means.

If you would like to learn more about the value of being pre-approved, contact us; we would be glad to provide you with additional information.