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 Selling Your Home
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Simplify Your Experience
From preparing your home
for sale, to setting
the price, and showing
your home, The Discovery
Team will simplify the
process. Keep in mind
the right agent is often
the key to a successful
real estate transaction.
And we will guide
you through the entire
process.
Pricing Your Home
Correctly pricing your
property is critical.
Price your home too low
and you'll lose money;
price it too high and buyers
will shy away.
We will be able to give
you a Competitive
Market Analysis for your
home, which will
help you determine the
value of your property,
as well as give advice
on the condition of
the present market.
Promoting Your Property
Effective advertising and
marketing are essential
when selling your home.
From descriptive,
colorful ads to internet
options, We are
able to attract potential
buyers. Promotional
campaigns are most successful
when the home
is priced right and shows
well. Competition
and current interest rates
can also affect
the success of a promotional
campaign.
Prepare Wisely
The presentation of your
home will impact
the buyer's first impression.
Buying a home
is an emotional process
and we can advise
you on simple and inexpensive
ways to prepare
your home for a successful
showing.
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A Team Effort |
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The overwhelming majority
of home sellers
find it advantageous to
team up withThe Discovery
Team. Most home owners
feel that it is better
to entrust the sale of
their biggest investment
to a professional. There
are a number of
complexities of modern
Real Estate transactions
that should be considered,
not to mention
the access to the MLS,
advertising, marketing,
and the screening of buyers
which are available
to assist the seller. We
will know the condition
of the market at the time
you are selling.
We will also be able to
help you determine
the value of your property
with a Competitive
Market Analysis.
Money Matters
Today's buyer is well informed
and price
sensitive. A property that
is priced over
the market can often deter
buyers who are
serious about finding a
property. If the
property is under-priced,
it will most likely
sell quickly - to the detriment
of your net
proceeds. Care and research
should be taken
when establishing the original
listing price.
There are many factors
that will affect the
selling price. The following
should help
you determine the price
you can expect to
receive:
What are the prices (listing
and selling)
of similar homes in your
area?
What is the size, layout
and condition of
your home in comparison
to others on the
market?
What is the location of
your home, are you
in a desirable area that
is in demand?
Does your home have amenities
that are currently
popular in the marketplace?
Is it a buyers' market
or a sellers' market?
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Get Ready to Show |
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It is time now to look
objectively and unemotionally
at your home. Look at it
no longer as your
home, but as a product
to be marketed. Be
aware of what you can and
cannot change about
your home. This knowledge
will allow you
to concentrate on those
items that will bring
the highest rewards.
First Impressions
The first thing a potential
buyer sees is
your home from the street
- the first impression
is called "curb appeal."
Take care
to:
Remove any junk or clutter
from the yard.
Have a clean, crisp lawn
(a bit of fertilizer
makes for a greener lawn).
Trim shrubbery and hedges.
Wash decks and porches
make sure they are
stained or painted.
Clean and paint or stain
your front door.
All exterior lights should
be operational.
Exterior windows should
be clean and operational.
Clean out gutters and downspouts.
Walkways should be swept
and free of snow
or ice during winter.
Make sure the garage door
is closed.
Through Open Doors
Most buyers do not have
a vision - so help
them. Present your home
dressed in its best!
Here are some minor investments
which may
have some major returns.
Paint - When it comes to
preparing a house,
fresh paint gives you the
best return for
money spent.
Flooring - At the very
least, all carpeting
needs to be steam cleaned.
Any worn, stained
or foul smelling carpet
should be replaced.
Any flooring that is cracked
or damaged should
be replaced, if possible.
Clutter - If something
is not necessary for
your day-to-day life, box
it up and store
it or throw it out!
Closets – Closets need
to be neat, clean,
and organized.
Cleaning – The cleaner,
the better. Dusting,
washing, waxing, and polishing
everything
will always make a good
impression.
Lights – Clean the fixtures
and make sure
the bulbs work.
Windows – Replace any cracked
windows.
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Room to Room
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Entryway:
Clean and polish everything.
Make sure it is well lit.
Make sure it is clutter
free.
Bedrooms:
Arrange the furniture for
the flow of traffic.
Make sure they are clutter
free.
Living Room/Family Room/Den:
Arrange the furniture for
the flow of traffic
and to give the illusion
of space.
Remove ashes from fireplaces
and woodstoves.
Make sure all light switches
work.
Clean the drapes.
Polish, mop the floors.
Storage Areas:
Basement, Garage, Attic
Remove all junk and clutter.
If the basement is damp
or musty, try a dehumidifier.
Make sure these areas are
well lit.
Kitchens Are Under Close
Scrutiny:
Clean the exterior of all
appliances, including
the stove hood filter.
Clean counter tops and
cabinet faces: the
shinier, the better.
Clutter free.
Remove magnets and messages
from the front
of the refrigerator.
Clean the floor and consider
replacing it
if it is worn.
If you have ceramic tile, make sure the grout
is clean and white.
Bathrooms Are Also Extremely Important:
If faucets drip, repair
or replace them.
Remove stains from all
fixtures.
Make sure all lights have
the highest wattage
that is safe for each fixture.
Put out fresh, clean towels.
Check ceramic tile, make
sure the grout is
clean.
Remove any mildew.
Make sure drains are clog
free.
Shower doors should sparkle.
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Finishing Touches |
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Most of the time you will
be given at least
a couple of hours notice
before showing your
home. Before you show your
home add these
small but important finishing
touches. Your
home will then put its
best foot forward!
Light and Bright – Whether
day or night,
a lit house gives a "welcome
home"
impression. So turn on
all the lights, indoor
and outdoor. Open all curtains,
shutters,
and blinds to let in maximum
light. Your
home looks more cheerful
and it also prevents
harsh shadows.
Out of Sight – Prospective
buyers may feel
like intruders if you are
home during a showing.
Allow the Us the opportunity
to speak freely
with buyers and emphasize
your home's best
features. If possible,
take a walk, visit
the library, go shopping
or take the kids
to the park. If you cannot
leave, try to
remain out of sight and
do not accompany
the buyers from room to
room.
The Scent of Success –
Scented sprays are
too obvious and may be
found offensive. For
a pleasing fragrance, add
a few drops of
vanilla extract on a stove
burner or boil
water and add some cinnamon.
Refrigerator
cookies are quick and easy
to bake, as well
as lighting a scented candle
prior to a showing.
Both will make your home
more attractive.
Waste Not – Empty the trash
in the kitchen
and any other waste baskets
before a showing.
Garbage does not send a
positive message,
even in small amounts.
Comfort Counts – Make sure
the thermostat
is set such that the house
is at a comfortable
temperature. Turn off the
television and
turn soft, melodious music
on.
Pets – It is best to try
and take your pets
with you while your home
is being shown.
If that is not possible,
at least keep them
outside. Animals under
foot will put a damper
on a showing.
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The Offer |
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Once an offer is made,
if you intend to accept
the offer, or make a counter
offer, do it
as soon as possible. Realize
that at any
time prior to accepting
or countering, a
buyer can withdraw their
offer.
When you make changes to
an offer, they require
written approval of all
parties for the contract
to be enforceable. Know
that even minor changes
facilitate the opportunity
for either the
seller or buyer to change
their mind.
Closing
To put it simply the last
part of the home
selling process is closing.
It is the time
between signing the purchase
contract (once
an agreement on price and
terms has been
reached) to the day the
deed is actually
recorded transferring title.
Once everything
is signed, then escrow
closes and your home
is sold.
Moving On
It doesn't matter if you
have moved once
or several times, it is
never an easy task.
There is a lot of emotion
associated with
selling a home. So on to
a new adventure.
The following are some
tips you may find
helpful.
Notify the post office
of a forwarding address.
Cancel subscriptions that
would not be forwarded.
Arrange for new checking
account if needed.
Arrange for utilities and
telephone at your
new location.
Plan for needs of children
and pets during
the move
Plan for sufficient cash/travelers
checks
during the move.
Are you packing/moving
yourself or will a
professional mover handle
the move?
Once you are reasonably
sure you will be
proceeding with the sale,
begin weeding out
your possessions.
Pack one room at a time.
Keep the weight of your
boxes reasonable.
Start packing and marking
every box according
to contents and room it
will go in.
If bubble wrap is not available,
use towels
and blankets to wrap fragile
items.
If possible, pack audio-video
and computer
equipment in their original
boxes.
Do not pack valuables,
carry them with you.
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