Selling your home
If you have decided to sell your home, chances are you have many questions. Here are some tips to consider when putting your property on the market. Click here for a free comparative market analysis.

A home that looks good from the outside will attract buyers to want to look inside.
Use the following checklist when examining your property’s curb appeal.

• Is the lawn, shrubs, and trees nicely maintained. Consider seeding with Rye grass for a fresh new green grass appearance.
• Are there cracks in the foundation or walkways?
• Does the driveway need resurfacing?
• Do the window casings, shutters, siding or doors need painting?
• Make sure garbage and debris stored out of sight.

Good curb appeal will lure buyers inside and you’ll want to live up to their expectations.
There are many inexpensive ways to make a great impression inside.

• Keeping it clean is a must. Buyers may judge that an unclean home is an unkept home.
  Make sure windows, floors, appliances, and bathrooms sparkle.
  Keep clean filters in heating and air units.
  Shampoo dirty carpets.
  Repair dripping faucets, broken tiles, broken blinds, tattered screens, and touch up paint if necessary.
  
• Remove clutter. Buyers will be placing their items in your home, and you want them to feel they have plenty of room for their belongings.
  Organize garage, closets, attic and storage spaces.
  Is your home crowded with too much furniture? Consider removing a few pieces for showing.
  
• Consider how your home smells. Odors such as pet or cigarette may be a strong turn off to others.
  
• Make your house feel homey. Fresh flowers, clean towels on a towel rack, and scented potpourri will make it feel warm and inviting.
  Keep in mind costly home improvements do not always offer a good return on your investment, however attention to small details will go a long way. The impression you would like to deliver is “This home has been well maintained”.

Often times a seller will consider selling their home themselves in order to save the commission charged by a real estate agency. Commission rates may vary depending on the area and the agency you choose, but it is generally around 6%. Handling the sale of your property yourself does not always insure getting more money for your home.

Be aware that a real estate agent probably knows more about the business of selling a home and the market than you do. Here are advantages to using a real estate professional.

• They will help you establish a good price for your home based on location, economic conditions, seasonal influences, other comparable homes in the area, amenities, and supply and demand.
• They will advise you on what changes you should or should not make to the home to make it more marketable.
• They will promote your home to other agents through the multiple listing service. This exposure allows every agent in your area an opportunity to sell your home at no additional cost to you.
• They know the most effective advertising sources, and will do all the advertising necessary to promote your home.
• They will help you during the negotiation process getting you the best price.

If you decide to list your property with an agent, the most important thing to remember is to choose an agent that you feel comfortable with. Select someone that you feel will do the best job for you and has your best interest in consideration at all times. When you have questions you don’t want to be afraid to ask, and you want to get them answered in a timely fashion.