Choose the Right Real Estate Professional

As a licensed Re/Max associate, I will be with you every step of the way as you sell your present home and purchase your new one.  From listing to closing you can count on me to keep your best interests in mind and to represent you honestly and ethically.

You will have a legal relationship with me.  When we complete the listing agreement, you are giving me the legal authority to put your house on the market for a specified period of time.

What I will do for you:

• advertise your home on MLS (Multiple Listing Service)

• advertise your home on my website, the Re/Max website and the Recorder &

• prepare photos and feature sheets to showcase your home an it's attributes

• arrange showings to prospective buyers

• arrange Open Houses to showcase your property

• provide you with feedback from other agents

Documents

Gather all of the documents you will need to sell your home. 

• Mortgage documents.  You may wish to meet with your lender to discuss transferring, discharging or paying out your mortgage.  Also check for any interest or pre-payment penalties

• property survey

• property tax bills and most recent assessment

• utility bills

• maintenance history including receipts for repairs and upgrades

 Determine Your Asking Price

Before you put your home up for sale, you must set the price.  And before you set the price, you must know what it is worth – not what you paid for it or how much you have upgraded it.  I can help you set a price by:

• helping you understand current market conditions; is it a buyer or seller market?

• providing you with recently comparable sold listings

• working with you to determine a realistic asking price.  Normally the asking price is set a little higher than the actual value of the home, to allow some negotiating room.  But..if the price is too high it may scare off perspective buyers 

During this time, we will also consider whether or not to include additional items such as appliances, window coverings and electrical fixtures.  These included items will also be factored into the asking price.

 Make Your House More Appealing

Sure it’s your palace.  But step back and look at your home with a critical eye.  Small improvements (and maybe some large ones!) could make a big difference in the price you receive.

• inspect the roof and gutters

• are the outside doors painted and in good condition

• are the windows sealed and in good condition

• are the gardens and lawn well maintained and appealing

• are the wall free of holes and painted

• repair dripping taps

• check floors and rugs for cleanliness

• repair any electrical outlets that don’t work

• make sure the furnace and air conditioning work

• put extra emphasis on having your kitchen and bathroom(s) sparkling clean

 The Offer 

Interested buyers will submit a written offer to me via their real estate agent.  I will walk you through the offer to ensure that you understand it and all of the conditions.  The offer will contain (among many things):

• the name of the purchaser

• the purchase price

• any conditions (such as survey, home inspection, inclusion of appliances) to be met prior to formal acceptance

• closing date

• and irrevocable date (you have until this date to accept or sign back a counter offer) 

You should have in mind how low you will go on the price, a target closing date as well as what conditions you are willing to accept. 

Together we will go over every detail of the offer.  If there is anything you don’t understand….just ask!

You may decide to accept the first offer, or go back with a counter offer.  Once you are satisfied with the final offer, you will want to accept it.  Once the offer is accepted by you, I will obtain a deposit from the purchaser’s real estate agent and when the deal is closed it will be applied to the commission owed.