When selling your property,
your Realtor will work with you to be sure that the
transaction will be completed in a timely and professional
manner. You are entering into a partnership with your
realtor and your contributions to the success of the
transaction include providing documentation, preparation of
the property for viewing, cooperation in showings and
availability for consultation and negotiation.
Provide your realtor with copies of as many of the following
documents as possible.
Deed to the property and any modifications
– this will verify the owners of record, quality of the deed
and the interest that the owners of record will be
transferring.
Mortgage, liens and assessments
– the outstanding financial obligations need to be factored
in to provide you with a more accurate estimate of the
seller’s net proceeds statement
Most recent tax bills
– in addition to providing the amount of taxes, these
documents give your realtor the property identification
number (tax map number). This will be needed to collect
information from the tax assessor.
Property Insurance policy and statement
– property insurance may be transferable to the new owner.
Title Insurance or Abstract of Title
– this document will show the extent of title being
transferred and any exceptions. To understand the legal
aspects of title, be aware that your realtor cannot
interpret this document for you, only an attorney can render
a legal opinion.
Inspection reports –
Any inspections done recently (roof, structural, wood
destroying organisms, water quality, etc…) will help to
present an unbiased opinion of the property’s condition.
This is even more important if you are planning to sell the
property “as is”. A prudent purchaser will still have new
inspections ordered.
Other – Any other
documents that you have that would affect the value or
condition of the property should be provided to your realtor
as soon as possible.
Marketing Materials:
Provide your realtor with photos of the property and its
features, a survey if possible and floor plans or blue
prints of the improvements. Put together a list of the
property’s features and personal property to be conveyed.
Property/Grounds – All
walks, parking surfaces, porches and decks should be free of
obstructions and in good repair. Grass and ground cover
should be neatly trimmed. Any dead shrubs or trees should be
removed or replaced. Thin out any over-grown areas and make
sure all doors and windows are not obstructed by any
plantings or vines. If you plan to take any of the in-ground
plantings with you when you vacate the property, make sure
you advise your realtor so that this information is excluded
from the sale.
Exterior improvements
– repair any loose siding, gutters, lighting fixtures,
shingles, etc. Replace any damaged areas to the structure.
Make sure all caulking and weather stripping is free of
cracks and holes. Clean or paint all exterior surfaces as
required. Pay particular attention to doors and windows.
Interior Condition –
if you plan to have a garage sale or yard sale do it now.
This will help you eliminate clutter, your garage, basement
and attic will show better and your closets will not be
jammed.
Interior walls and ceilings
– repair any holes, clean surfaces that are dirty especially
doors, doorways, light switches, moldings and baseboards. If
painted areas are chipped touch them up or repaint as
needed. Damaged wallpaper should be removed or replaced.
Interior flooring –
clean all flooring surfaces thoroughly. De-odorize any
carpeting. If your floor coverings are damaged, repair or
replace as needed.
Electrical fixtures and appliances
– make sure all electrical fixtures and appliances that are
to be sold with the property are in good working order.
Repair or replace any that are not. Make sure the surfaces
are clean, including the blades on any paddle fans.
Plumbing – check all
faucets and drains for leaks. Clean, repair or replace as
needed.
Organize closets- try
to have a minimum of about 10% free space and keep the floor
area in walk-in closets free of clutter.
Garage/Vehicle Storage areas
– make sure that all other materials stored in this area are
along the side walls with enough clearance for vehicle doors
to be opened easily.
Other – view each area
of your property objectively. Try to imagine you are a
prospective purchaser. What objections would you have? Can
you overcome these objections? Your realtor can help you
with this.
Absent Owner –
Whenever possible, the residents/occupants of the property
should not be in the same area as the showing agent and
his/her prospective purchaser. If the prospective purchaser
has any questions, they will be relayed to you at the
appropriate time.
Open house – in many
areas open houses are held so that agents can preview a
property. There maybe broker’s open houses, one for members
of the listing agent’s firm and a second one for all
cooperating brokers in the area. This is one of the most
important open houses you will have. Agents will be mentally
matching your property against the wants of prospective
purchasers.
Advertising – discuss
with your realtor, the most effective mix of media
available. (i.e. newspapers, real estate publications, open
houses, etc..)
Pets and Animals – if
you have an animal on the property make sure that this
information is made known and where the animal is located
during all showing appointments. It is best if the animal is
confined in an area that won’t interfere with the showing of
the property. This is also important to help prevent the
accidental release and possible loss of your animal.
Unannounced Agent – In
most areas, real estate agents will call in advance prior to
showing a property. In the event that an agent shows up at
your door unannounced, ask for a business card and to see
the agent’s real estate license. Copy down the agent’s real
estate license number and ask the agent to wait outside
while you make a phone call. Do not allow entry to any
unknown person until you verify the identity. Your listing
realtor may have already discussed this possibility with
you. If so, follow his/her advice. If not, you may contact
your listing broker and ask them to verify the identity of
the person at your door. Additionally, if the agent is with
a firm known to you, you may want to call that firm, provide
a description of the agent and verify that he/she is the
person at your door. If the firm is unknown to you, you may
want to contact your board of realtors, provide the agent’s
license number and ask that they verify that the person is a
member. If you are unable to verify the identity, do not
admit the person.
Other –
Keep in mind that the most important thing you can do in
having your property exposed to prospective purchaser is to
have information about the property itself as readily
available as possible. Be prepared to make adjustments to
any of the showing areas as needed, based on the advice of
your realtor partner.
Availability for Consultation and Negotiation:
During the listing period, you and your realtor will be in
touch many times. It is important that you establish the
“ground rules” early on in your relationship. Make sure that
your agent has all pertinent ways of contacting you, home
and work phone numbers, cell phone numbers, fax numbers,
beeper numbers, email address, etc..
Showings Update –
Advise your realtor of any showings as soon as possible.
Most agents will leave a business card or sign a guest
register when showing a property. Provide your agent with
the cooperating broker’s name, company name, date and time,
if possible. Your realtor will follow up to determine the
interest, if any, in the property.
Progress Updates –
Many realtors establish a regularly scheduled time for
communication with sellers. This communication may be verbal
or written. It may occur weekly, bi-weekly or whatever you
and your realtor agree upon. Even if there is no progress to
report the seller is kept informed.
Consultations – Your
realtor may need to consult with you regarding any aspect of
the marketing of your property. It may be based on feedback
from other agents, a shift in market conditions, changes in
the financial market that may affect your transaction, or
any other factor. The factors may affect the pricing
structure for your property (either up or down), adjustments
to the terms of the sale, re-evaluating the condition of the
property, marketing strategy, etc.
Negotiations – This is
the time when it is most vital for your realtor to be able
to contact you immediately. Offers have been made at any
time of day or night, on any day of the year – holidays
included. If you are serious about selling your property,
your realtor must be able to contact you at a moment’s
notice.
