SELLING YOUR HOME:

To achieve these objectives you need a plan. We give attention to these details. We are equipped with training, skills and tools that allow us to provide excellence in service. What's more, we commit our marketing plan to paper. Our listing action file provides you with:

1. Constant feedback
2. Keeps you up-dated on market trends
3. Keeps you informed on the actions we take

Selling a home should leave nothing to chance!

Benefits of selling a home through a sales associate.

• Selling a home takes more than an ad in the paper, and a "for sale" sign on the lot. First, it takes experience and training to correctly price a home to sell. It takes a carefully prepared market analysis showing not only homes that have sold, but also homes that are still on the market and which represent your competition, as well as homes that were on the market and never sold.
• Second, you need to anticipate and solve the many problems that can arise during the selling process. Very frequently the buyer has to sell his or her own home in order to buy yours. It is sometimes difficult to keep control under these circumstances. Usually it does not cost the buyer anything up front to work with a sales associate. Someone maybe looking to buy a home at a lower price because they know you are saving the brokerage fee.
• If your goal were to sell your home for the best possible price, in the least amount of time, without a lot of stress, you would do well to consider an agent.

Selecting A Sales Associate.

Selling a home is serious business. Do not make the mistake of mixing business with friendship unless you are certain your friend or relative is capable of representing your sale capably and objectively. Loyalties are always important, but circumstances do change and past performance may not guarantee future performance. Check to see that the necessary ingredients to serve you well are still in place.

Things To consider.

• Does the agent/salesperson work for a respected and reputable company?
• Is the salesperson licensed to sell real estate, bonded and covered by required insurance?
• Is the salesperson a realtor, that is, a member of the local multiple listing service?
• Will the agent work for you and your best interest, and disclose any conflicting interest to you?
• Does the salesperson have a marketing plan for your home that leaves little to chance?
• Does the salesperson have a marketing presentation that convinces you that their services justify the commission they receive?
• Does the salesperson offer more than just to put your home on MLS and put an occasional ad in the paper?
• Does the agent work for a company with an "800" toll free number national reference network?
• Is the salesperson familiar with your area?
• Since the location of your home adds value to your home, how will your agent promote the location?
• Would a stranger recognize your sales agent to be an agent, even without introduction? How is he/she identifiable?
• Does your salesperson have management and team support for a combined effort to sell your home?

Sales Associate Services

When you select a sales agent to sell your home you are selecting someone to work on your behalf, not the buyers. Your real estate agent will protect your rights, and handle the details that you will find difficult to do. These are a few things they can do for you.

• Put the property on the MLS exposing your property to all other companies and their salespeople.
• Prepare a property board showing the interior features that make your home appealing. The property board is portable and can be taken and shown to people who can't come to your home. The property board will be displayed in high traffic areas to attract buyer's attention.
• Provide you with market information you need to price your home to bring top dollar. Keep you informed of market changes, and sales activity taking place.
• Pre-screen potential buyers to limit the possibilities of surprises and a collapsed sale later on.
• Provide 24 hour answering to avoid possibility of losing a possible buyer.
• Show your home, whether you are home or not. This saves you waiting around in case a buyer arrives.
• Provide objective viewpoint in handling difficult circumstances and buyer objections. It's easy for emotions to get in the way.
• Assist in contract negotiations. An agent's experience in mediating sensitive issues can help close the gaps and speed the process.
• Protect your interests during the selling process and look after details through the closing process right through to the possession date.

Preparing For The Showing

Remember you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression. First impressions count with buyers. In today's age of consumerism, every buyer is comparative shopping. A small investment in time and money can give your home a solid advantage over competing properties. So by paying attention to detail now, you can enhance the perceived value later. The following are some suggestions for preparing your home to show to its best advantage.

• Create A Buying Mood Turn on lights, turn on air conditioner/heater, open the drapes, light the fireplace.
• Exterior Appearance Keep the lawn cut, trim hedges and shrubs, weed and edge gardens, clear driveway and clean up oil spills, clean out garage. Make repairs where needed.
• Create Space
• Clear stairs and halls of clutter
• Clean furnace and filters
• Tighten door knobs and latches
• Repair cracked plaster
• Touch up paint
• Clean and repair windows
• Repair seals around tubs and basins
• Replace defective light bulbs
• Oil squeaking doors
• Repair squeaking floor boards
• Squeaky Clean Clean and freshen bathrooms, clean fridge and stove (in and out). Clean around heating vents, clean washer and dryer, clean carpets, drapes and window blinds.
• At the front door Clean porch and foyer; ensure doorbell works, repair screen on door, freshen paint or varnish front door, repair door locks and key access.

The Value Of Feedback

If your home does not sell it is important to know the reason why. Similarly you should also know why your home is not being shown. A good salesperson should always communicate with you even if you do not like what they have to say. If you do not know what is wrong you won't know what to fix. If more than one buyer makes the same remark about your home, it is significant information that you should receive.