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Place
your home on the market as far in advance
as possible of purchasing a new home. Time
is money, so the sooner, the better.
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Be
sure that the exterior of your house is
visually appealing so that potential buyers
even driving down the street are attracted
to the property and motivated to contact
you or your selling agent.
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Now
that you’ve attracted the potential
buyer to your property, be sure that
the interior of your house is up to
the standards of the exterior.
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Clean,
Clean, Clean!!! Make sure that your
windows, floors, carpet, and bathroom
tiles are spotless.
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Remove
any clutter and make sure that items
are neatly stored.
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Add
some fresh flowers, scented potpourri,
or play some soothing music to create
a welcoming environment.
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You
don’t need to make major cosmetic
changes—the condition of the house
should suggest that it has been properly
maintained, regardless of how old the
property may be.
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Find
a real estate broker or agent who seems
knowledgeable and credible. You will be
working closely with him/her so you should
make sure that he/she has a personal style
that will suit well with your own.
Demand Experience: Selling
a home is a large transaction with lots
of rules and regulations so you need to
be sure that your broker/agent is experienced
in what he/she does.
Look for Commitment: Try
finding a broker/agent who works full-time
in the Real Estate profession.
Conduct Interviews: Get
recommendations from friends, relatives,
or neighbors regarding brokers/agents they
have worked with. You can also search the
Web, read through home magazines and newspapers
to learn about brokers, agents, and their
companies. The interview does not have to
be a formal one—it is just your opportunity
to meet or speak with a broker or an agent
so that you can explain your needs, ask
questions, and determine whether or not
you feel comfortable dealing with him/her.
Here are a list of questions you may want
to ask a broker or agent before working
with them:
i.How long have you been in business?
ii. How familiar are you with this area?
iii. How many houses have you sold in this
past year?
iv. What is your commission?
v. How do you intend on marketing my property?
vi. How do you plan on organizing meetings
with potential buyers?
vii. Can you provide me with any references?
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Set
Your Listing Price. In order to set an appropriate
listing price for your home, spend some
time evaluating market conditions and financial
factors. Your real estate broker/agent is
a great resource, so talk with them to come
up with an initial listing price. Do not
be in a rush to sell your home—you
will receive a fair market value in due
time.
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Show
Your House to Home Buyers: You should always
allow a buyer’s agent to show your
house, even if it may not be very convenient
for you. Your selling agent will usually
put a lock box outside the house so that
other agents can conveniently show your
property to homebuyers.
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Signing
the Settlement Papers: Be sure to read every
document carefully before signing.
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