Great tips to help you sell your home quicker and for more money!

1. Should I use a real estate professional?
Yes! As your professional agent, I will secure the best price for your home. Negotiating the
complex workings of the market are incredibly involved. Having a professional’s
invaluable expertise will make every aspect of the transaction easier, from financing to
the purchase contract.

2. What is the MLS?
MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service. When a real estate agent is a member of the
MLS, he or she has the ability to be part of any aspect of a home purchase or sale. In other
words, even if a property is listed with Company A, an agent working for Company B may sell it.

If you, as the seller, list your property with a real estate agent who is a member of the MLS, you’ll give yourself the added benefit of having more agents aware of your listing and, ultimately, working for you.

3. How can I get my house to sell faster?
There are numerous factors that go into the speed of which a house sells. Generally,
a house sells most quickly when it has been well maintained and priced similarly to other
houses selling in the area in a healthy sales market. Also, if your home has been
remodeled within the past ten years, you’ll find it will not only sell more quickly, but also will also top the prices of your competitors in your neighborhood.

4. How much home improvement is too much?
There is generally a cap to the amount of home improvement that should be done. In other words, there are high-return improvements that will generally recognize a higher sales price, such as kitchen, bathroom and mater suite remodels. But other less-obvious upgrades may not have such significant returns. It’s not a good idea to start a major remodeling project just before putting your home up for sale. You probably won’t recoup the money you spent remodeling. Small high impact projects yield the best results. Planting flowers and adding pine straw can make a big difference in creating curb appeal.

5. Is there a “best” time to sell my house?
There are typically better times than others to put your house on the market. The ultimate selling factors are, of course, supply and demand and general economic conditions. Another factor is the month in which you list your home, which can actually net you a higher selling price.

On average, the real estate market begins to pick up in February. For our area, the most active selling season typically occurs from March through late summer.

6. How do I set the selling price for my home?
When selling your home, setting the right price is essential. Follow these steps to makesure you’ve set the best price for your home:

Review the current real estate market and price your home accordingly. Take into consideration factors like square footage, number of rooms, and location. Real estate prices are dynamic; they are always changing. It’s critical that you base your home price on the most recent comparable sales in your area.

Consider using the Cape Fear House-Values Analysis TM – a background report that helps you create a reasonable list price for your home. I offer these to you at no charge or obligation.

7. What should I do if my neighbor just sold their home for a lot more than I’m asking?

It’s not uncommon for houses in the same neighborhood to sell at different prices. Location is just one of the components that factor into home pricing. Before raising your asking price, consider other factors such as age, features, size, style, and any recent additions or remodels you have made to your home. You’ll quickly find that the difference in price is reasonable, given the differences in the homes. If there is no discernable difference between your home and your neighbor’s, consult your real estate agent about considering an adjustment of your asking price.

7. What should I do if my neighbor just sold their home for a lot more than I’m asking?

It’s not uncommon for houses in the same neighborhood to sell at different prices. Location is just one of the components that factor into home pricing. Before raising your asking price, consider other factors such as age, features, size, style, and any recent additions or remodels you have made to your home. You’ll quickly find that the difference in price is reasonable, given the differences in the homes. If there is no discernable difference between your home and your neighbor’s, consult your real estate agent about considering an adjustment of your asking price.

7. What should I do if my neighbor just sold their home for a lot more than I’m asking?

It’s not uncommon for houses in the same neighborhood to sell at different prices. Location is just one of the components that factor into home pricing. Before raising your asking price, consider other factors such as age, features, size, style, and any recent additions or remodels you have made to your home. You’ll quickly find that the difference in price is reasonable, given the differences in the homes. If there is no discernable difference between your home and your neighbor’s, consult your real estate agent about considering an adjustment of your asking price.

 

 

8. What types of issues must a seller disclose when selling a home?
When selling your home, you (the seller) and your broker (if you have one) are responsible for disclosing any known issues that could materially affect the value of the property. More specifically, disclosure must include items that may not be obvious to the casual observer, such as a cracked foundation, of which you, as the homeowner,have knowledge. When dealing with the sale of homes, the seller is usually required to provide a Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement. This identifies the current condition and history of all physical aspects of the house.

 

9. Nobody came to my Open House-what's happening?

In today's real estate market it is entirely possible to have empty Open House. Here is why it happens. Here are a few reasons why you might not be seeing the kinds of interest you were expecting, but the most frequent is a too high price tag. As you well know, being a homeowner yourself, homebuyers are a savvy lot. They will be doing their research, comparing home prices, and knowing exactly what homes in your neighborhood are selling for. Unless you have some hidden gem that you've well-advertised, buyers aren't going to spend time looking at an unreasonably priced home. Check your list price against other comparable homes in the neighborhood and assess if you need to adjust your price. If it's an issue of too high a price tag, believe me, when you bring it down to the appropriate pricing, you'll sell that home faster than you imagined possible.

 

9. Nobody came to my Open House-what's happening?

In today's real estate market it is entirely possible to have empty Open House. Here is why it happens. Here are a few reasons why you might not be seeing the kinds of interest you were expecting, but the most frequent is a too high price tag. As you well know, being a homeowner yourself, homebuyers are a savvy lot. They will be doing their research, comparing home prices, and knowing exactly what homes in your neighborhood are selling for. Unless you have some hidden gem that you've well-advertised, buyers aren't going to spend time looking at an unreasonably priced home. Check your list price against other comparable homes in the neighborhood and assess if you need to adjust your price. If it's an issue of too high a price tag, believe me, when you bring it down to the appropriate pricing, you'll sell that home faster than you imagined possible.

 

 

9. Nobody came to my Open House-what's happening?

In today's real estate market it is entirely possible to have empty Open House. Here is why it happens. Here are a few reasons why you might not be seeing the kinds of interest you were expecting, but the most frequent is a too high price tag. As you well know, being a homeowner yourself, homebuyers are a savvy lot. They will be doing their research, comparing home prices, and knowing exactly what homes in your neighborhood are selling for. Unless you have some hidden gem that you've well-advertised, buyers aren't going to spend time looking at an unreasonably priced home. Check your list price against other comparable homes in the neighborhood and assess if you need to adjust your price. If it's an issue of too high a price tag, believe me, when you bring it down to the appropriate pricing, you'll sell that home faster than you imagined possible.

 

 

 

9. Nobody came to my Open House-what's happening?
In today's real estate market it is entirely possible to have empty Open House. Here is why it happens. Here are a few reasons why you might not be seeing the kinds of interest you were expecting, but the most frequent is a too high price tag. As you well know, being a homeowner yourself, homebuyers are a savvy lot. They will be doing their research, comparing home prices, and knowing exactly what homes in your neighborhood are selling for. Unless you have some hidden gem that you've well-advertised, buyers aren't going to spend time looking at an unreasonably priced home. Check your list price against other comparable homes in the neighborhood and assess if you need to adjust your price. If it's an issue of too high a price tag, believe me, when you bring it down to the appropriate pricing, you'll sell that home faster than you imagined possible.

• Financing contingency: The home purchase is contingent upon whether or not the buyer can secure a loan from a lender.
• Inspection contingency: A buyer has the right to have the property inspected for any problems that may have not been disclosed. If significant issues arise, the purchase offer could be revoked.

• In either contingency, the outcomes may vary. A deposit can be forfeited if the buyers renege on a sale for reasons other than those contained within the contract agreement. If the seller does not fulfill his or her responsibilities (e.g., clear title not given, agreed-upon repairs not made, substantial changes to the property effected before closing), the purchase again may be forfeited or other consequences may occur.

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