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The Seller's Responsabilities
When Selling Their Home
Many sellers believe their role in getting their home sold is simply to sign a listing agreement.
If you are concerned about getting a quick sale and the highest possible price then you want to know what you can specifically do to assist the Realtor you choose to professionally market your home.
The 13 items below are the responsibility of the seller.
Item #1 Tell The Realtor That It's OK To Tell You The Truth
That certainly seems like a strange request doesn’t it! What this means is that often times a Realtor is afraid to tell the seller what they really believe. Some Realtors believe that if they told the truth about what fix-up or clean-up items were needed or about what price the home would really sell for that the seller would be offended and they wouldn’t get the listing.
Item #2 Fully Disclose Any Information You Have About The Home To Your Realtor
A seller disclosure form can create a lot of confidence in a buyer plus prevent a lawsuit if the buyer feels they have been mislead as to the condition of the home or status of the property. Accurately fill it out and give it to your Realtor. Take the time to give your listing agent your monthly utility expenses, property taxes, insurance information, etc.
Item #3 Remove Clutter From All Areas Of The House
Remember you never get a second chance at a first impression. Check out your basement, the closets, the yard, etc. and of course, you live there but do the best you can.
Item #4 Clean The Property Throughly
We’re talking about both inside and outside. Clean houses sell faster and for more money. If you need to hire someone to professionally clean your home and shampoo your carpets, do it.
Item #5 Cosmetically Fix-up The Property And Take Care Of The Little Things
Painting the interior and exterior will get you substantially more money or a faster sale almost always. Fix the drippy faucet, the toilet that won’t stop flushing and other deferred maintenance items. Whatever money you need to spend fixing these items usually comes back to you in the sales price you get!
Item #6 Make Your Home Easy To Show
Many home owners have missed a sale because a prospective buyer couldn’t get into the home to see it when they wanted to see it. Because lots of showings will be from agents that are not with the listing company, a keybox or lockbox are usually good ideas. This box allows a key to be securely placed at the home to allow Realtors access to the property to show it without driving to get a key from the listing Realtors office. Do not request the listing agent to be present when your home is being shown. If the listing agent is required to be present it will eliminate certain showings simply because of scheduling conflicts.
Item #7 Allow Short Notice Showing
Although you may want a 24 hour notice before your home is shown or at least 1 to 2 hours notice, some buyers can only look at your home if they can get in immediately. One example of this would be the out of town buyer that is in town "house hunting" and must buy a home. The out of town buyer may have driven past your home and seen your for sale sign while in the Realtors car. They ask the Realtor to see your home. Don’t be surprised if you get a call requesting to see your home "right now". Do everything you can to accommodate this type of showing….It probably won’t happen often but that one person could be your ideal buyer.
Item #8 Stay Out Of The Way When The Property Is Shown
When you look at houses or clothes do you want someone telling you all about them...Or do you prefer to look on your own and then be able to ask someone if you have any questions? Leave the house, go to one room in the house or go outside but don’t try to act as a tour guide.
Item #9 When A Contrct Is Written Allow The Realtor To Present It To You In Person
In other words don’t tell your Realtor to present it over the phone unless, of course, you are out of town. When you meet in person to review the offer you can fully discuss all of the aspects of the offer, including the buyers qualifications, contingencies, etc. IF you can’t accept the price or terms you can give the potential buyer a counter offer in writing. A written counter offer is much better than a verbal counter offer.
Item #10 Allow The Realtor You Hire The Freedom To Spend Their Time And Their Money As They See The Best Choise
If they are a professional they will do what is needed to get your home sold. If they are not a professional, don’t hire them! Remember a Realtor only gets paid if your home sells…Trust them to make the right marketing choices.
Item #11 Ask Your Realtor To Give You Honest Feedback After Your Home Is ON The Market For Sale
When your home is actively on the market for sale, you will get feedback from both Realtors and potential buyers. You want their feed back. If you are not getting showings it could very well be your asking price is too high. If you are getting showings and no offers, then both the Realtor showing your home and their client will have some feed back as to why it wasn’t the right home or they weren’t interested…You want truthful feedback even if it hurts your feelings.
Item #12 Price Your Home Correctly From The Beggining
Unfortunately many home owners price their homes too high when they originally put it on the market for sale. It’s unfortunate because they actually get less money for their property because they originally priced it too high. The ideal time to get top dollar for your home is the first 30 days. When there is a new listing on the market it creates excitement for both the Realtors and home buyers. Because it’s new on the market it doesn’t prompt low offers and may even have a buyer offer more than asking price if more than one buyer is interested in it. You will receive more money for your home if it is priced correctly from the beginning.
Item #13 Reduce The Price When Necessary
Ideally when you first put your home on the market for sale you priced it correctly. If you have not had many showings by the entire Realtor community then it could be the price needs adjusting. If your property initially had lots of interest or showings and now not much is happening, your price may be too high. The longer your home is on the market for sale the more it invites low offers. Reduce the price quickly if the marketplace is not responding. Remember the longer your home is for sale the lower price you will probably get.
It would be a privilege for me to meet with you and review a total marketing plan for your home.
I look forward to hearing from you.
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