Seller Resources

Selling a home is a complicated process that should not be taken lightly. If you're thinking about selling, you'll find answers to commonly asked questions below. When you're ready to move to the next step, be sure to contact me – my experience can make all the difference.

Look before you leap

Is this a good time to sell my home?

How do I set a price?

Tips to Help You Sell Your Home Faster and For More Money

Marketing your home

Is a home warranty important?

Should I get a home inspection if I'm selling my home?

How do I purchase home #2 if I have to sell home #1 first?

What happens at the closing?

Look before you leap

You'd never buy a home on a whim, you shouldn't try to sell one that way, either. So before you do anything, take some time to study the local market and current trends. The best way to do that is to schedule a pre-market consultation. I can help you understand your competition and how to properly prepare your home for sale.

Is this a good time to sell my home?

YES! There are ample buyers to purchase homes that are priced correctly, staged appropriately, and properly marketed. Each home has a range of value. Make your home as presentable as possible. Have a professional Realtor help you price your home. List your home with a real estate company that has a comprehensive marketing strategy. When you do all three, you will receive the maximum net proceeds for your home. It is not only a good time to sell, it is an excellent time to purchase your next home. Interest rates are at historical lows giving you more purchasing power. Due to increased cost of land development and home construction, prices are lower today than what they will be tomorrow. If you are looking to purchase a larger home, you may have an opportunity to purchase more home for the money if you act now.

How do I set a price?

Please take advantage of my experience in the market and extensive training in determining the best price attainable for your home. My knowledge of economic trends, the local real estate market, recent sales in your neighborhood, and an understanding of your situation help me advise you on an effective pricing strategy. In helping establish your price, I will complete and interpret a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). In a CMA, your home is compared to recent sales, competing properties, and listings that failed to sell. Selecting the right properties for the CMA is critical to a proper understanding of what the market will pay for your home. It would be my pleasure to provide a CMA for you.

Tips to Help You Sell Your Home Faster and For More Money

Outside

·Mow and water the lawn

·Trim trees and plant flowers

·Store all bikes, toys and equipment out of sight

·Paint or touch-up the outside of the house

·Put potted flowers in the front

Inside

·Get rid of unnecessary furniture. Use a self storage facility if
necessary.

·Clean closets and clear off countertops

·Scrub all tile floors

·Clean all carpets

·Clean all windows and mirrors

·Clean stains in all sinks and tubs

Fix It

·Fix leaky faucets

·Replace missing door or cabinet handles

·Fix or replace broken appliances

·Replace broken tiles in bathroom or kitchen

·Paint, if necessary

·Major repairs, I can discuss those with you

Freshen Up

·Stop smoking in the house

·Bathe pets and clean out litter boxes

·Empty all trash, recycle bins, etc

·Dry-clean drapes

·Use baking soda boxes in smell-prone areas

·Place flowers, potpourri or air fresheners around the house

Ask a "buyer"

·Invite a friend to walk through your home like a buyer would. Get their opinion on whether or not it's inviting, clean and well-maintained. Make any changes they suggest.

Marketing your home

A fast, profitable sale is seldom a matter of luck. Far more often, it's the result of sound planning and a marketing strategy that makes the most of all the available tools. At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty, we carefully track which marketing sources generate the most leads so that we market your home in the best possible venues. The HomeServices Relocation Division's ability to reach out-of-town buyers is superior to that of any other South Central - Southeastern Pennsylvania broker. PLUS we have an array of unique, exclusive programs to generate buyer interest in your property. Contact me to discuss a comprehensive marketing plan for your property.

Is a home warranty important?

There are reasons to purchase a home warranty, and there are circumstances where a home warranty may be less important. What I can tell you is that statistics indicate that homes sold with a warranty sell for higher prices than homes sold without a warranty. Buyers feel more confident that the warranted home they are purchasing will not cause them major problems in the future. The warranty you purchase can protect you during the time your home is on the market, to your date of closing, and will protect the buyer for one year after closing. I can help you determine if a home warranty is a good investment for you.

Should I get a home inspection if I'm selling my home?

Would you feel more confident in making an offer on your next home if you had the opportunity to see an inspection report prior to making the offer? Have you ever heard of stories where a real estate sale fell through because the buyer did not like the results of the inspection report? Are there circumstances where a home inspection is less important? Generally speaking, when a buyer has a chance to see an inspection report prior to making an offer, the home is sold for a higher amount with a decreased chance of the sale falling through. I can describe the pros and cons of getting your home professionally inspected prior to placing it on the market.

How do I purchase home #2 if I have to sell home #1 first?

Most of us cannot afford two mortgage payments; we need to sell our current home before completing the purchase of our next home. In a marketplace where there is a good supply of homes for sale, it's probably best to market your home successfully first. Then you enter the marketplace as a stronger buyer. None the less, you may find your next home prior to marketing your current home. I can help you choose from several different options in this case so that you can still have your dream home and avoid a double payment situation.

What happens at the closing?

The terms "real estate settlement" and "closing" mean the same. It is the meeting where the seller conveys the ownership of the property to the buyer. A settlement officer, either a title company representative or the buyer's attorney, will conduct the closing. Many papers need to be reviewed, signed, notarized and witnessed. Among the documents you will be asked to sign is a seller's affidavit and deed. Upon execution of the deed and the exchange of keys, you will receive your proceeds. I'll walk you through what to expect at settlement and answer any questions you may have.