SECURITY = PEACE OF MIND

If you are considering selling your own home by yourself here are some useful tips that may be of assistance:

   * CONSIDER YOUR CONTINGENCIES. DO YOU HAVE SPECIAL CONCERNS THAT WOULD AFFECT THE PRICE YOU’LL RECEIVE? FOR EXAMPLE, DO YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO MOVE IN FOUR MONTHS?

   * GET AN APPRAISAL. FOR A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS, A QUALIIFIED APPRAISER CAN GIVE YOU AN ESTIMATE OF YOUR HOME’S VALUE. BE SURE TO ASK FOR A MARKET-VALUE APPRAISAL.. TO LOCATE APPRAISERS IN YOUR AREA CONTACT ME FOR RECOMMENDATIONS.

   * ASK A LENDER. SINCE MOST BUYERS WILL NEED A MORTGAGE, IT’S IMPORTANT THAT A HOME’S SALE PRICE BE IN LINE WITH A LENDERS ESTIMATE OF ITS VALUE

   * BE ACCURATE. STUDIES SHOW THAT HOMES PRICED MORE THAN 3 PERCENT OVER THE CORRECT PRICE TAKE LONGER TO SELL

   * KNOW WHAT YOU’LL TAKE. IT’S CRITICAL TO KNOW WHAT PRICE YOU’LL ACCEPT BEFORE BEGINNING A NEGOTIATION WITH A BUYER

10 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOUSE MORE SALEABLE

     1.    GET RID OF CLUTTER. THROW OUT OR FILE STACKS OF NEWSPAPERS OR MAGAZINES. PACK AWAY MOST OF THE SMALL DECORATIVE ITEMS. STORE OUT-OF-SEASON CLOTHING TO MAKE CLOSETS SEEM ROOMIER. CLEAN OUT THE GARAGE

     2.   WASH THE WINDOWS AND SCREENS.LET MORE LIGHT INTO THE INTERIOR

    3.   KEEP EVERYTHING EXTRA CLEAN. WASH FINGER PRINTS FROM LIGHT SWITCH PLATES. MOP AND WAX FLOORS. CLEAN THE STOVE AND REFRIGERATOR. A CLEAN HOUSE MAKES A BETTER FIRST IMPRESSION AND CONVINCES BUYERS THAT THE HOME HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR.

    4.   GET RID OF SMELLS. CLEAN CARPETING AND DRAPES TO ELIMINATE COOKING ODORS, SMOKE, AND PET SMELLS. OPEN THE WINDOWS

    5.  PUT HIGHER WATTAGE BULBS IN LIGHT SOCKETS TO MAKE ROOMS SEEM BRIGHTER, ESPECIALY BASEMENTS AND OTHER DARK ROOMS. REPLACE ANY BURNT-OUT BULBS

    6.   MAKE MINOR REPAIRS THAT CAN CREATE A BAD IMPRESSION. SMALL PROBLEMS SUCH AS STICKY DOORS, TORN SCREENS, CRACKED CAULKING, OR A DRIPPING FAUCET MAY SEEM TRIVIAL, BUT THEY’LL GIVE BUYERS THE IMPRESSION THAT THE HOUSE ISN’T WELL MAINTAINED

    7.    TIDY THE YARD. CUT THE GRASS, RAKE THE LEAVES, TRIM THE BUSHES, AND EDGE THE WALKS. PUT A POT OR TWO OF BRIGHT FLOWERS NEAR THE ENTRYWAY

    8.    PATCH HOLES IN THE DRIVEWAY AND REAPPLY SEALANT, IF APPLICABLE

    9.    CLEAN THE GUTTERS

   10.  POLISH THE FRONT DOORKNOB AND DOOR NUMBERS

SOME LOW COST WAYS TO SPRUCE UP YOUR HOME

   * MAKE YOUR HOME MORE APPEALING FOR YOURSELF AND POTENTIAL BUYERS WITH THESE QUICK AND EASY TIPS:

   * TRIM BUSHES SO THEY DON’T BLOCK WINDOWS AND CUT DOWN ON LIGHT

  *  BUY A NEW DOORMAT

   * PUT A POT OF BRIGHT FLOWERS (OR A SMALL EVERGREEN IN WINTER) ON YOUR PORCH

   * PUT NEW DOOR KNOBS ON YOUR FRONT DOOR

   * PUT A FRESH COATING ON YOUR DRIVEWAY

   * EDGE THE GRASS AROUND WALKS AND TREES

   * KEEP YOUR GARDEN TOOLS OUT OF SIT

   * BE SURE KIDS PUT AWAY THEIR TOYS

   * BUY A NEW MAILBOX

   * CLEAN OUT GUTTERS

   * PUT OUT POTPOURRI OR BURN SCENTED CANDLES

4 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU SELL

   * GET ESTIMATES FROM A RELIABLE REPAIRS PERSON ON ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON, FOR EXAMPLE A ROOF OR WORN CARPETING. IN THIS WAY, BUYERS WILL HAVE A BETTER SENSE OF HOW MUCH THESE NEEDED REPAIRS WILL AFFECT THEIR COSTS

   * GET A PRE-SALE HOME INSPECTION SO YOU’LL BE ABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS BEFORE BUYERS BECOME CONCERNED AND CANCEL A CONTRACT

   * GATHER TOGETHER WARRANTIES AND GUARANTEES ON THE FURNACE, APPLIANCES, AND OTHER ITEMS THAT WILL REMAIN WITH THE HOUSE

   * FILL OUT A DISCLOSURE FORM. TAKE THE TIME TO BE SURE THAT YOU DON’T FORGET PROBLEMS, HOWEVER MINOR, THAT MIGHT CREATE LIABILITY FOR YOU AFTER THE SALE

OPEN HOUSE TIPS

   * ADVERTISE YOUR OPEN HOUSE

   * CREATE A PROPERTY SUMMARY SHEET

   * DEVELOP A SIGN-IN FORM FOR PROSPECTS’ ADDRESSES

   * PUT UP SIGNS ONE OR TWO DAYS BEFORE THE OPEN HOUSE

   * GET YOUR HOUSE READY REMOVE CLUTTER

   * DEVELOP A FOLLOW UP SHEET

STEPS TO PREPARE FOR AN OPEN HOUSE

   * HIRE A CLEANING SERVICE. A SPOTLESSLY CLEAN HOUSE IS ESSENTIAL.

   * MOW YOUR LAWN AND ENSURE THAT TOYS AND YARD EQUIPMENT ARE PUT AWAY.

   * SERVE COOKIES, COFFEE, AND SOFT DRINKS. IT CREATES A WELCOMING TOUCH. BUT BE SURE THE KITCHEN IS CLEANED UP; USE DISPOSABLE CUPS SO THE SINK DOESN’T FILL UP

   * LOCK UP YOUR VALUABLES, JEWELRY, AND MONEY. IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO WATCH EVERYONE ALL THE TIME

   * TURN ON ALL THE LIGHTS. EVEN IN THE DAYTIME, INCANDESCENT LIGHTS ADD SPARKLE

   * SEND YOUR PETS TO A NEIGHBOR OR TAKE THEM OUTSIDE. IF THAT’S NOT POSSIBLE, CRATE THEM OR CONFINE THEM TO ONE ROOM …. A BASEMENT OR BATHROOM

5 WAYS TO SPEED UP YOUR SALE

   * PRICE IT RIGHT

   * GET YOUR HOUSE “MARKET READY “ FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS BEFORE SHOWING IT

   * BE FLEXIBLE ABOUT SHOWINGS. IT’S OFTEN DISRUPTIVE TO HAVE A HOUSE READY TO SHOW ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT, BUT THE MORE OFTEN SOMEONE CAN SEE YOUR HOME, THE SOONER YOU WILL FIND A BUYER

   * BE READY FOR THE OFFERS. DECIDE IN ADVANCE WHAT PRICE AND TERMS YOU’LL FIND ACCEPTABLE

   * DON’T REFUSE TO ADJUST THE PRICE. IF YOUR HOME HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS WITHOUT AN OFFER, BE PREPARED TO LOWER YOUR ASKING PRICE

SAFETY

   * AN OPEN HOUSE CAN BE A GREAT SALES TOOL, BUT IT ALSO EXPOSES YOU TO NUMEROUS UNFAMILIAR PEOPLE FOR THE FIRST TIME. STAY SAFE BY PRACTICING THESE GUIDELINES:

   * MAKE SURE YOU HAVE “ESCAPE “ROUTES PLANNED FROM EACH AREA OF THE HOME

   * UNLOCK ALL DOORS TO FACILITATE A QUICKER ESCAPE

   * TURN ON ALL LIGHTS AND OPEN ALL CURTAINS (GOOD MARKETING TIP AS WELL)

   * ATTEMPT TO WRITE DOWN LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS IF POSSIBLE

   * DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR IDENTIFICATION FROM YOUR BUYERS

   * WHEN SHOWING THE PROPERTY, ALWAYS WALK BEHIND THE PROSPECT

   * NOTIFY SOMEONE THAT YOU ARE HOLDING THE OPEN HOUSE AND ASK THEM TO CALL YOU DURING THAT TIME

IS YOUR BUYER QUALIFIED?

   UNLESS THE BUYER WHO MAKES AN OFFER ON YOUR HOME HAS THE RESOURCES TO QUALIFY FOR A MORTGAGE, YOU MAY NOT REALLY HAVE A SALE. IF POSSIBLE TRY TO DETERMINE A BUYER’S FINANCIAL STATUS BEFORE SIGNING THE CONTRACT

   ASK:

   IF THE BUYER HAS BEEN PREQUALIFIED OR PREAPPROVED (BETTER) FOR A MORTGAGE. SUCH BUYERS WILL BE IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION TO OBTAIN A MORTGAGE PROMPTLY

      * DOES THE BUYER HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO MAKE A DOWNPAYMENT AND COVER CLOSING COSTS? IDEALLY A BUYER SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM OF 5 PERCENT OF THE HOME’S PRICE AS A DOWNPAYMENT AND BETWEEN 2 AND 5 PERCENT OF THE PRICE TO COVER CLOSING COSTS

      * IS THE BUYERS INCOME SUFFICIENT TO AFFORD YOUR HOME? IDEALLY BUYERS SHOULD SPEND NO MORE THAN 32 PERCENT OF TOTAL INCOME TO COVER PITI ( PRINCIPAL, INTEREST, TAXES, AND INSURANCE)

      * DOES YOUR BUYER HAVE GOOD CREDIT? ASK IF HE OR SHE HAS REVIEWED AND CORRECTED A CREDIT REPORT

      * DOES THE BUYER HAVE TOO MUCH DEBT? IF THE BUYER OWES A GREAT DEAL ON CAR PAYMENTS, CREDIT CARDS, ETC., HE OR SHE MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR A MORTGAGE

6 TERMS TO WATCH FOR IN A PURCHASE CONTRACT

      * THE CLOSING DATE. SEE IF THE DATE THE BUYER WANTS TO TAKE TITLE IS REASONABLE FOR YOU

      * THE DEPOSIT LOOK FOR THE LARGEST DEPOSIT POSSIBLE. A LARGE DEPOSIT IS USUALLY A GOOD INDICATION OF A SINCERE BUYER

      * FIXTURES AND PERSONAL PROPERTY CHECK THE LIST OF ITEMS THE BUYER EXPECTS TO REMAIN WITH THE PROPERTY AND BE SURE IT’S ACCEPTABLE

      * REPAIRS DETERMINE WHAT THE REQUESTED REPAIRS WILL COST AND WHETHER YOU’RE WILLING TO DO THE WORK OR WOULD LOWER THE PRICE BY THAT AMOUNT

      * CONTINGINCIES SEE WHAT OTHER FACTORS THE BUYER WANTS MET BEFORE THE CONTRACT IS FINAL ——— INSPECTIONS, SELLING A HOME, OBTAINING A MORTGAGE, REVIEW OF THE CONTRACT BY AN ATTORNEY. SET TIME LIMITS ON CONTINGINCIES SO THAT THEY WON’T DRAG ON AND KEEP YOUR SALE FROM BECOMING FINAL

      * THE CONTRACT EXPIRATION DATE. SEE HOW LONG YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE OFFER

MOVING TIPS

       * GIVE YOUR FORWARDING ADDRESS TO THE POST OFFICE, USUALLY 2—4 WEEKS AHEAD OF THE MOVE

       * NOTIFY YOUR CHARGE CARDS, MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS, AND THE BANK OF THE CHANGE OF ADDRESS

       * DEVELOP A LIST OF FRIENDS, RELATIVES, AND BUSINESS COLLEAGUES WHO NEED TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE          MOVE

       * ARRANGE TO HAVE UTILITIES DISCONNECTED AT YOUR OLD HOME AND CONNECTED AT THE NEW HOME

       * CHECK INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MOVED ITEMS. USUALLY MOVERS ONLY COVER WHAT THEY PACK

       * CLEAN OUT APPLIANCES AND PREPARE THEM FOR MOVING IF APPLICABLE

       * NOTE THE WEIGHT OF THE GOODS YOU’LL HAVE MOVED, SINCE LONG-DISTANCE MOVES ARE USUALLY BILLED ACCORDING TO WEIGHT. WATCH FOR MOVERS THAT USE EXCESSIVE PADDING TO ADD WEIGHT

       * HAVE A “FIRST OPEN” BOX WITH THE THINGS YOU’LL NEED MOST — TOILET PAPER, SOAP, TRASH BAGS, SCISSORS, HAMMER, SCREWDRIVER, PENCILS AND PAPER, CUPS AND PLATES, WATER, SNACKS