Seller Services:

-Pricing Your Property ------------ A real estate agent can help you identify comparable houses that have sold and can show you what the current competition looks like. Given information regarding market value and the existing market conditions, you will be more equipped to price your property. You may want to price it to sell quickly or you may be willing to wait in order to get a higher price.

-Preparing for Selling ------------------ You will probably want a lawyer to review your contract and to take care of the "closing". It is important that you get all documents together that are possible: map or survey of the property, any permits for work you have had done, information such as yearly electric and fuel costs, real estate taxes, etc.

-Marketing Your Property -------------- The most important thing about selling is letting your potential buyers know that your property is for sale! A successful marketing campaign is the best way to achieve that. You will need to find an agent that understands the market area and who makes the best use of magazine and newspaper advertising. It is also important that your agent take advantage of the internet and perhaps offer an Open House.

-How to Make your Property Look Its Best ---------------- When you sell it is very important that your home look its very best! Prospective Buyerswant to know that a house has been well taken care of; your house needs to be clean and not cluttered. Washed windows and a fresh coat of paint can make a dingy room sparkle. If your home is full of family memoribilia or collections, your Buyer may have difficulty imagining the house as her/his own. Ask your real estate agent what s/he thinks.

-Getting a Contract -------------------------- At some point, a Buyer will make an offer! Usually this is the beginning of negotiating what the final Purchase and Sale Agreement(P+S) will say. The Buyer will make a deposit to show that his/her intention is serious. Often, a contract will have contingencies; the most common are financing, a building inspection, and review of contract by attorneys. When all contingencies and the price have been agreed upon, the parties sign and the contract becomes legal.

-Things to do for the Closing--------------------------Prior to closing, notify the electric, fuel, and telephone companies that you will be moving; let the Buyers know where your accounts are so that the transfer is seamless. Prior to closing, the Buyers will probably request a "walk-thru" where they take a few minutes to go into the house and reassure themselves that (1) the house is "broom clean", i.e. all excess trash has been removed and the house is as clean as if it had been swept out, (2) appliances are in "working order", and (3) they are buying what they expecting.