Expect great service from your REALTOR®
In becoming a REALTOR®, an individual must complete a variety of courses and regularly update their professional education. They also have access to a wide array of optional courses, seminars and certifications. They must adhere to a strict and rigorously enforced Code of Ethics. On top of all that, through experience, they truly become local real estate market and community experts, as well as masters of property marketing, networking and negotiation.
In working for you, a REALTOR® will:
• Outline their professional responsibilities to you, including complete Disclosure, Loyalty, Confidentiality, Obedience and Accountability.
• Help you determine the best asking price.
• Extensively market your home in order to maximize the number of buyers who know about it, request showings and make offers
• Offer proven advice on how to prepare and show your property so you get top market value for it
• Assist you, if necessary, in fi nding any home-related services you need.
• Regularly communicate with you to keep you fully informed of everything they do to sell your home.
• Provide feedback from all showings and open houses.
• Update you on both real estate and money market changes that could affect your property’s sale.
• Be available to help pre-qualify potential buyers.
• Promptly present and evaluate each offer with you.
• Negotiate the highest possible price and best terms for you.
• Manage contractual, title and transaction details and keep you informed.
• Ensure that important items are signed, sealed and delivered on closing day.
• Arrange for a moving company and relocation agent, if required.
In short, they’ll provide you with comprehensive, high-quality service. So when you decide to sell your home be sure to take advantage of the knowledge, experience and professionalism of a REALTOR®.
Preparing your home so it’s more attractive to buyers
When presenting your home to prospective buyers, first impressions are crucial. Buyers begin judging your home the moment they see it and, unless they’re looking for a deal on a fi xer-upper, they prefer homes that are well maintained, clean and clutter-free. That’s why home improvements, particularly if they address the anticipated needs of buyers, can boost your home’s saleability and sale price.
Depending on your home’s condition, there are three kinds of improvements that will impress buyers and help you sell for top market value: renovations, upgrades and repairs, reorganization and maintenance. Along these lines, what follows are a few proven, cost-effective ideas that will help your home look its best so you get top market value.
Bear in mind, an experienced REALTOR® knows what today’s discerning buyers are looking for and can provide more ideas that will maximize your home’s appeal. Sometimes a small investment in time and money can give you a big edge over your competition and generate a faster sale at a higher price.
Renovations – Which Ones Are Market-Smart?
Generally, few home owners renovate their homes in order to sell them because they know they won’t recoup the full cost of the renovations in the sales price. However, in some cases minor renovations can really improve the overall impression of a property’s character and quality and, as such, will more than pay for themselves.
Here are a few “market-smart makeovers” you might consider:
• Kitchen– New flooring, cabinets, counter tops, appliances and lighting can be costly, but buyers typically look for updated kitchens, and you’ll recover a large percentage of your expenses on resale. Even a minor facelift – for instance, new paint, floor covering, cabinet doors and hardware – can pay off in a faster sale at a better price.
• Bathrooms– As with the kitchen, renovating bathrooms can pay off in terms of both value and marketability, especially in an older house. Opt for good lighting, large mirrors, attractive fi xtures and materials, plenty of storage and neutral colors.
• Energy– Efficient Improvements – With everyone “going green” these days, energy-saving upgrades and repairs that reduce fuel bills can be a selling point. For example: sought-after double or triple-pane windows and storm doors that keep indoor temperatures comfortable year round. There are many options, so do some research and talk to a home products professional to find those improvements that best fi t your plans and budget.
When considering renovations in anticipation of selling, there are two important rules: don’t over-renovate, and be careful not to make renovations which please you personally, but which might turn off otherwise interested buyers. Both scenarios will cost you. An experienced REALTOR® will be able to counsel you on which renovations are likely to be good investments in terms of your overall plan.
