Marketing
A Realtor will have many useful suggestions on ways to improve the marketability of your property, including cosmetic repairs and other items that will create a favorable impression among buyers. Your property will enjoy a wider exposure among buyers when you use a Realtor. In addition to using flyers and organizing open house days, a Realtor’s extensive contact list of former clients, newly qualified buyers and other industry professionals can significantly reduce the time your property is on the market. A Realtor will also allow you to tap into a highly productive and extensive industry network, such as a Multiple Listing Service or other industry marketing system. Advertising your property efficiently is another area where a Realtor can play an important role. A Realtor’s experience in deciding on the most appropriate type and frequency of advertising for your property can be invaluable. For example, placing too many ads can create the impression that there may be something wrong with the property or that the seller is desperate. |
Negotiating
When negotiating a purchase, most buyers prefer to deal with a middleperson who is objective, unemotional and professional. Buyers will often feel more comfortable with a Realtor than with the owner when they want to raise issues that need resolving before making an offer. Monitoring, Renegotiating, Closing or Settling A Realtor will guide you through the minefield of potential problems associated with the appraisal, inspection and financing process, including the often complicated escrow instructions. In addition, your agent can meet and instruct any specialists or tradespeople who may be required for repairs or other issues that need to be completed before closing. Security Security is a major consideration when showing your home. By using a Realtor, you can rest assured that all showings will be pre-screened and supervised. |
First Impressions
How your property appears from the outside is important. To make a good first impression on a buyer, a clean driveway, a freshly mown lawn or a trimmed hedge will work wonders. Do a critical inspection of the exterior of your property, paying special attention to the condition of your windows, shutters, screens and gutters. One of the first things a buyer will notice is the need for painting. If your property looks like it needs painting, many buyers will form an unfavorable impression. Elsewhere, little things count. Make sure the front door is spotless, including the doorknob, and that the windows gleam. Cleanliness Counts Once inside your property, one of the key factors that influences its appeal to a buyer is cleanliness. Most important is front hallway, the kitchen and the bathrooms. Do a room-by-room cleaning, and don’t forget any out-of-sight areas because that’s often where a discriminating buyer will look first. The state of the carpets can also be a determining factor. At the very least, have your carpets cleaned, and if they are worn, it’s wise to replace them, or remove them if there is hardwood underneath. |
Less is More
Clutter makes a poor impression. In closets, cabinets, kitchen countertops and other storage areas like basements, remove anything not needed for daily housekeeping. To make each room in your property look larger, get rid of or donate unnecessary furniture. Walk through your property and think: “Less is more.” Repairs Make sure everything is in good working order. Dripping faucets, squeaky steps and loose doorknobs can easily create a bad impression and reduce the value of your property. A few hours spent on repairs, whether by yourself or a tradesman, can pay big dividends when an offer is made. Little Things Count It’s easy to improve the appearance of any room. You may want to replace worn rugs or small pillows, put new towels in the bathroom or brighten up a room with a vase of flowers. Pull Together Get all the members of your household to pull together when it comes to getting – and keeping – your property ready to view. By getting everyone into the habit of spending a few minutes tidying up every morning for an afternoon showing, you improve your chances considerably. |
It Provides an "Out"
A quality home inspection can reveal critical information about the condition of a home and its systems. This makes the buyer aware of what costs, repairs and maintenance the home may require immediately, and over time. If a buyer isn't comfortable with the findings of the home inspection, it usually presents one last opportunity to back out of the offer to buy. Safety A home inspection can detect safety issues like radon, carbon monoxide, and mold, which all homes should be tested for. Make sure that your home-buying contract states that should such hazards be detected, you have the option to cancel the offer to buy. Reveal Illegal Additions or Installations A home inspection can reveal whether rooms, altered garages or basements were completed without a proper permit, or did not follow code. If a house has un-permitted room additions, it affects the insurance, taxes, usability and most of all the overall value of the home. In essence, a buyer is purchasing something that legally does not exist. Even new homes with systems that were not installed to code will become the new homeowners' financial "problem" to fix. Protection Home inspections are even more critical if you are buying an "as-is" foreclosed property or short sale. Dwellings that have been boarded often develop hazardous mold problems, which are costly to remedy and pose health concerns. it's also common for home inspectors to find that copper plumbing lines and outdoor compressors have been removed from foreclosed properties by people trying to sell copper to recyclers. Negotiating Tool the home inspection report presents an opportunity to ask for repairs and/or request a price reduction or credit from the seller. Work with your realtor to understand what requests can and should be made to negotiate a better deal. |
Forecast Future Costs
A home inspector can approximate the installation age of major systems in the home like plumbing, heating and cooling, and critical equipment like water heaters. They can diagnose the current condition of the structure itself, and tell you how long finishes have been in the home. All components in the home have a "shelf-life." Understanding when they require replacement can help you make important budgeting decisions, and it will determine what type of home insurance coverage or warranties you should consider. Determine "Deal-Breakers" home inspections can help buyers identify how much additional money or effort they are willing or able to spend in order to take the home to a condition that is personally acceptable. If you are unwilling to repair issues like faulty gutters, cracked walls or ceilings, perhaps you are not ready to end your home buying search. Learn to Protect Your Investment The home inspector is a valuable educational resource. He or she can suggest specific tips on how to maintain the home, and ultimately save you thousands of dollars in the long term. Reveal the Big Picture Many buyers "fall in love" with a property due to the updates, the layout, location, and even the paint colors of the exterior and interior of the property. However, a home inspection can show a potential buyer what they may be blind to, in order for them to make a well informed decision. Insurance Some insurance companies will not insure a home if certain conditions are found (i.e. mold, termites, radon, lead paint, etc...) or without the presence of certain certifications. |