Selling Your Home
Preparing Your Home For Sale
Gather any pertinent financial information of your home- Your mortgage balance and mortgage company contact information. Any improvement district {SID/LID} balances owed and contact information for the payee. The names and contact information for any home owners’ associations. Also, note any IRS balance or mechanics liens on your home and the respective contact information. This information will help begin the process of selling your home and help facilitate the closing process.
Pricing your home- Properly pricing your home is probably the most important aspect of selling your home. Price it too low and you will lose money. Price it too high and you will lose valuable marketing time. If your home is over-priced you will risk your home not being shown. If you do find a buyer at the higher asking price your home will be under contract until the appraisal comes in, at which time your buyer will most likely opt out of the purchase. A comparative market analysis will provide you with a reasonably accurate market price. This analysis compares the sale price of properties with comparable features and amenities in your area that have recently sold. Please contact me for a free comparative market analysis for your Las Vegas or Henderson home.
Short Sale- Do you owe more on your home than its current market value? Even if you owe more on your home than what it’s worth you may still be able to sell your home. Your lender will have to concede part of the mortgage balance to consummate the sale. The lender must be convinced that a short sale is in their best financial interest. The seller is required to fill out paperwork and provide financial data and instruments. Please feel free to contact me for a list of required documents. I also have a dedicated, full-time, professional, short sale negotiator on staff.
Showing your home- When your home is finally on the market it should be ready and available to show at all reasonable times. Listing your home on the Multiple Listing Service {MLS} will provide the greatest exposure for your home. This will avail your home to all cooperating Realtors as well as prospective buyers searching the internet for homes for sale.
Safety first- Do not let anyone into your home that you are not expecting. Realtors should present their card when they arrive with their clients. Passersby should not be let in; they should be referred to your Realtor. Your Realtor will screen all potential buyers to insure that they are legitimate prospects and are qualified to purchase your home.
Preparing To Show Your Home
The Exterior
The buyers’ first impressions of your home- “curb appeal”
ü Pick up any litter
ü Mow, edge and weed the lawn
ü Trim trees and shrubbery
ü Address should be visible and easy to read
ü Replace cracked or broken windows
ü Doorbell should be in good working condition
ü Touch up paint on front door
ü Remove any dead plants
ü Repair or replace broken roof tiles
ü Keep garage and carport clean and orderly
ü Wash all windows inside and out
ü Replace burned out bulbs
ü If possible set up outdoor lights on timers to ensure your home is lit up
after sunset
The interior
Clean and clutter free – warm and welcoming!
ü Lights should be on and drapes should be open during the day
ü Room temperature should be comfortable
ü Fresh flowers and plants add a nice touch
ü Chipped plaster and paint should be touched up and repaired
ü Doors and cupboards properly closed
ü Leaky taps and toilets repaired
ü Replace burned out light bulbs
ü Oil squeaky doors
ü Mirrors, fixtures, and taps cleaned and polished
ü Seals around tubs and basins in good repair
ü Floors cleaned, garbage containers emptied
ü Inside of closets and cupboards neat and tidy
ü Valuables should be out of reach, out of sight, or locked away
ü Pets absent, where possible, or contained during showings
ü Torn screens should be repaired or replaced
ü If painting is required white or light tones are preferred to make rooms
appear larger
ü Fireplace lit in cooler weather
ü Air cooler on in warmer weather
ü Counter tops cleaned and clutter free
ü Appliances cleaned
ü Swimming pool and spa cleaned
ü Waterfalls turned on
