Tips and hints

 

We want to point out that this is not a how-to or instructional manual on how to close a property sale. That is why you will have a real estate lawyer or notary. The intent of the Spotty's House Virtual Assistant is to help you do the best job possible to market your property and list it for sale on the internet.

You've decided to sell your house, ranch, cabin, cottage, piece of land, condo, etc. This is a big step and it is scary. Before listing your home, we recommend that you complete the following checklist:

  • Seek advice from a real estate lawyer or notary regarding laws in your state or province.
  • Prepare and read your contract, check with your legal counsel to make sure it is appropriate.
  • Prepare your disclosures form and a list of what is to be sold with the house.
  • Set your price - consider hiring an appraiser.
  • Cleaned,washed and vacuumed.
  • Repaired, repainted and / or replaced
  • Weeded and trimmed
  • De-cluttered and de-personalized
  • Photographed
  • Check out our "recipes" page to really welcome your potential buyers
Photos First:

Get them at the BEST time of the year. If wildlife frequents your property, make sure you get a visual record. Create a photo album of all the best views of the property during each of the seasons. Get photos of the landscaping when blooms are at their peak! Add all these photos into an attractive album to have available at your home when potential buyers arrive. If you have the technology and the skills, create an online photo album with Google, Picassa, Flickr, WebShots, PhotoBucket or any of the many other photo storing sites.

Impress:

Turn on ALL the lights. Now is not the time to save energy. You want your buyer to be able to see into all those corners. All those corners that you, of course, have swept clean! And open all the curtains and raise all the blinds. If you have a fireplace have a small fire burning, or at least have it cleaned and prepared to start.This helps create an air of comfort and hominess.

Disclose:

Fix all those things that can be fixed or consider lowering your asking price because you know something needs to be fixed. Whatever you do, don't cover up a flaw or something wrong in your house. It could come back to haunt you.

Inform:

Gather together all of the manuals for every appliance in your home. For anything that you will be selling with the home such as riding mowers, gas BBQ, tractor, etc. It shows that you take care of your property. If you cannot find the manual for your appliance, or equipment many of them can be found online and downloaded for free. Also have on hand any warranties for appliances that can be transferred to the new owner.

Inspect and repair:

Your buyers' lender may expect them to get a home inspection prior to purchase. But if you think your home has problems and you can afford the extra expense, hiring an inspector may help you to adjust your price accordingly and will help with that FULL DISCLOSURE list. You may already have the home inspection list from when you initially bought the home. When preparing to sell the home, pull out that list and go through it thoroughly. Attempt to fix every last thing right down to that cracked switch plate cover or missing screw on the overhead light.