How To Help Sell Your Home

How To Help Sell Your Home

Let your home smile a welcome to buyers when the agent shows the house...

Three's A Crowd

Avoid having too many people present during inspections. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.

Music is Mellow

But not when showing a house. Turn off the blaring radio or television. Let the salesman and buyer talk, free of disturbances.

Pets Underfoot?

Keep them out of the way-preferably out of the house.

Silence is Golden

Be courteous, but don't force conversation with the potential buyer. He/she wants to inspect your house-not pay a social call.

Be it ever so Humble

Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let the trained salesperson answer any objections. This is his job.

In the Background

The salesperson knows the buyer's requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don't tag along. You will be called if needed.

Why Put the Cart Before the Horse?

Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishings to the potential buyer before he has purchased the house often loses a sale.

A Word to the Wise

Let your Realtor discuss price terms, possession and other factors with the customer. He is eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.

Use Your Agent

Show your home to prospective customers only by appointment through your agent. Your cooperation will be appreciated and will help close the sale more quickly.

First Impressions are Lasting

The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it is fresh, clean and scrubbed looking. Keep lawn trimmed and edged, and the yard free of refuse.

Decorate for a Quick Sale

Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal. Why tell the prospect how your home could look, when you can show him by redecorating? A quicker sale at a higher price will result. An investment in new kitchen wallpaper will pay dividends.

Let the Sun Shine In

Open draperies and curtains and let the prospects see how cheerful your home can be. (Dark homes do not appeal.)

Fix that Faucet

Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.

Repairs can make a Big Difference

Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from home value. Have them fixed.

From Top to Bottom

Display the full value of your attic and other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles.

Safety First

Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.

Make Closets look Bigger

Neat well organized closets show that you have ample space.

Bathrooms Help Sell Homes

Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Make this room sparkle.

Arrange Bedrooms Neatly

Remove excess furniture. Use attractive bedspreads and freshly laundered curtains.

Can you See the Light?

Illumination is like a welcome sign. The potential buyer will feel a glowing warmth when you turn on all your lights for an evening inspection.

Julie Wyss, serving all of Silicon Valley

Top Producing Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Bay Estates, Los Gatos

Call Julie Today

www.JulieWyss.com   |   Julie@JulieWyss.com   |   408.687.2026

9 Steps You Must Take Before You Sell Your Home

9 Steps You Must Take Before You Sell Your Home

The home selling process differs from state to state, but there are some important steps that you should take before you put your house on the market--all steps that protect your interests and help you get the most return from your investment. 

1. Get Pre-Approved for a Home Loan

I've known sellers who signed a contract to sell their house before they knew if they were qualified to buy another. Either their financial circumstances had changed since their last purchase, and they could no longer qualify for a loan, or they weren't able to sell at a price that allowed them to buy the type of replacement house they wanted. They ended up renting or buying something that was far from ideal.

Before you decide to sell the house, get pre-approved by a lender you trust and research the housing market in the area where you wish to live so that you have a good idea how much it will take to buy a replacement.

2. Check Your Mortgage Payoff

Call your lender to check the payoff for your current home mortgage. You'll need the figure to complete Step 6.

3. Determine How Much the House Is Worth

Determine your home's fair market value. Real estate agents will usually help you determine value as a courtesy, but you might take it a step further and order an appraisal.

4. Estimate Your Costs to Sell

• Real estate commission if you use an agency to sell.
• Advertising costs, signs, other fees if you plan to sell by owner.
• Attorney, closing agent and other professional fees.
• Excise tax for the sale.
• Prorated costs for your share of annual expenses, such as property taxes, home owner association fees, and fuel tank rentals.
• Any other fees typically paid by the seller in your area (surveys, inspections, etc.).
• Real estate agents deal with transactions every day and can give you a very close estimate of seller closing costs.

5. Determine Your Costs to Acquire a New Home

• Total your costs to acquire a new home: moving expenses, loan costs, down payment, home inspections, title work and policy, paying for a new hazard insurance policy--all expenses related to buying a home. Your lender should give you a disclosure of estimated costs when you apply for pre-approval.

6. Calculate Your Estimated Proceeds

1. Deduct your mortgage payoff from your home's fair market value.
2. Deduct your costs to sell from the remainder to get an estimate of the proceeds you will be paid at closing.

Will your closing proceeds cover your costs to acquire a new home? If not, do you have cash or other funding to make up the difference?

7. Make Necessary Repairs

Make all needed repairs unless you want the house to be regarded as a fixer-upper. I'm not referring to cosmetic updates, but to items in need of repair. Anything that's obviously broken gives potential buyers a reason to submit a lower offer.

8. Get the House Ready to Show

Most houses need at least a little spiffing up before they are shown to potential buyers. Great curb appeal, fresh paint indoors (and sometimes out), organized closets and cabinets, sparkling clean windows and appliances, and a clutter-free atmosphere are essential if you want the house to appeal to buyers.

9. Get Psyched Up to Let People In

If you're listing with a real estate agent, she'll no doubt ask you to leave when the house is shown. Why? Because lurking sellers make buyers nervous--they don't feel comfortable inspecting the house when they feel they are intruding.

Unless there's a real reason for it, don't ask your agent to be present for all showings. That's the kiss of death for showing activity. Other agents want privacy with their buyers and they don't usually have time to work around your agent's schedule.

Julie Wyss, serving all of Silicon Valley

Top Producing Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Bay Estates, Los Gatos

Call Julie Today

www.juliewyss.com  |  julie@juliewyss.com |  408-687-2026