Cox Real Estate Group Seller Guide

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Cox Real Estate Group

Together….Let’s sell your home!

Get Listed. Get Sold. Get Moving.

DRE # 01905240

Preparing your home for sale...

In preparing your home for sale, there are only 3 factors for you to consider…. CONDITION, PRICE and MARKETING. Yes, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION is what you always hear, and that is true. But your location is already set.

So is your floor plan, and whether you have 3 or 4 bedrooms or 2 or 3 bathrooms…these things are already determined.

The only three factors you can control are condition, price and marketing.

So let's first look at condition.

FIRST…It is a good idea to get a pest report now!

For the small cost of about $100, you will want to know whether you have dry rot or wood destroying organisms, and get an idea of what it will cost to get a clearance or fix the problems. Once you know, you will be in a better position to negotiate with your buyer over repairs.

The pest inspector will go under your home, into your attic make sure access is available, and they must be able to see the inside perimeter of the garage.

You will want to clear things away from the walls enough for them to see where the wall meets the floor.

NEXT…consider the repairs and upgrades that will give you the most bang for your buck. Buyers will buy fixer homes, but they want a discount.

We will look at repairs/upgrades that will bring you more in return than they actually cost, then you can decide if you have the energy and means to do them.

THEN…you will want to start on the clutter.

EVERYONE has clutter in some fashion. Start packing things and eliminating excess personal items like photographs these can be distracting to the buyer.

Maximizing first impressions...

Exterior & Curb Appeal - Experts say most buyers make their decisions at first sight General Exterior - Prospective buyers will react well to signs that your home has been well maintained. ● Apply a fresh coat of paint or stain to the front door and frame ● Manicure landscaping—mow, edge and water lawn, trim hedges, weed and fertilize flower beds, and prune trees ● Plant fresh flowers for color ● Keep driveway clean and free of parked cars keep garage door closed ● Repair or replace loose or damaged roof shingles ● Minimize cracks or crumbling on sidewalks, walls or steps keep them free of obstructions ● Make sure that from the street, your property appears clear hide trash cans ● Inspect appearance of interior window coverings from the curb ● Repair any peeling paint or loose caulking on windows or other areas ● Take steps to eliminate insect or rodent pests ● Pick up after your pets or neighbor’s animals ● Litter boxes should be in garage and changed often Doorway – While agents are opening the lockbox to get the key buyers have idle time to notice details. ● Apply a fresh coat of paint or stain to the front door and frame ● Consider adding pots of flowering plants in the entryway ● Eliminate cobwebs and clean doorway area and porch lights

Maximizing first impressions…

Clean, Clear, Light and Bright ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Give every room in the house a thorough cleaning and remove clutter Hiring a cleaning service may pay for itself by adding to a buyers perceived value of your home For a sleeker, more spacious look, consider placing furniture from crowded rooms in storage Clear kitchen counters of everything other than a few pretty items Remember – Closets will be opened! Keep closets, cupboards and even your attic orderly and neat Since you are anticipating a move anyway, consider holding a garage sale or store unused belongings If necessary, repaint or clean/replace dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls.

Keep floor coverings a neutral shade bright rooms look bigger and neutral colors help buyers envision their own furnishings and décor Sparkling windows and mirrors make a big a difference Repair dripping faucets, burned out bulbs or cracked window panes Repair cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper and tiles Warm & Homey

● ●

All personal photos should be removed from walls and counters to depersonalize the home Subtle scents of potpourri in a bedroom and bathrooms or fresh baked cookies or vanilla in the kitchen can make your home more inviting

Pricing your home right...

Most buyers today are educated about the home buying process and have done their homework before purchasing a home.

To determine the best price for your property, the market is the most accurate indicator.

The condition of the current market, the number of buyers, and current competition will dictate your home’s value. If your home does not meet the competition price, it simply will not sell.

An overpriced property: ➢ ➢ ➢

Reduces the number of showings Limits financing Minimizes the number of offers

In establishing the best price for your home, we investigate: ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢

Comparative or similar properties for sale in the area Comparative properties recently sold Comparative withdrawn properties in the area Expired listings properties that were priced at amounts buyers were not willing to pay

Keep in mind that the value of your property is not dictated by what you’ve invested in the property, what you paid for the property, or by the amount you feel you need to receive from the property.

Pricing your property correctly increases advertising response, stimulates buyer interest, compensates for property shortfalls, and provides you with a negotiating advantage.

Lock boxes and their use...

WHAT IS A LOCK BOX? A lock box is a metal box that holds your house key. Your real estate agent secures it to the outside of your house, usually on the door knob, water pipe or gas meter. It can only be opened with a special device or cell phone application, which is issued only to members of the MLS who pay a deposit, fee and sign an agreement regarding use and care.

WHEN IS IT USED? When an agent has a prospective buyer, he/she can use the lock box to enter your house if you are not home and show it to a buyer with your permission or the permission of your agent. It can also be programmable to only work beginning at a certain time in the morning and stop working at a certain time at night. These times can be discussed between you and your agent. A lock box is not mandatory; however it proves greater exposure of your property to prospective buyers by giving access to your home to authorized agents.

HOW SECURE IS IT? Each authorized agent has a key which will unlock the box when his or her code is entered into the special device. The lock box then creates a record of that code, so your listing agent knows exactly which agents have accessed your house key.

To eliminate any undue risk, whether your home has a lock box or not it is a good idea to keep all valuables out of sight, preferable in a safe.

WHAT ABOUT MY PRIVACY? Each agent has been educated to follow certain procedures to ensure the greatest amount of privacy possible to you.

Why you need a Realtor®...

Pricing When pricing your home, it is extremely important that the price not be set too high or low. Undervaluing or overpricing can slow down or impede the sale of a home. Real estate professionals have access to neighborhood information and pricing trends and they are experienced in the home selling process Marketing When you first list your home for sale, your agent has the skill and experience to recommend repairs and cosmetic work that will help enhance your home's appearance and marketability.

Next, your agent will advertise your property. Most buyers go to the Internet first when searching for a home so that will be a big focus. A real estate professional will also provide exposure to other industry professionals and the public. It has been shown that many home sales come about as a result of previous relations with a client and client referrals.

It is important that there is not an overexposure, too. This may cause buyers to see the property as distressed or to assume that the seller is desperate.

Security When selling your house, your agent will ensure that home showings are supervised.

Buyers must go through your agent to schedule a showing, thus being prescreened. This gives you time to prepare your house and gives you a peace of mind knowing that buyers are chaperoned in your home.

Negotiations Your real estate agent acts as an objective middle-person. They are perceived as unbiased professionals, and buyers often feel more comfortable negotiating with them.

Your agent will guide you through the processes of appraisals, financing and home inspections all necessary to complete the sale of a home.