RESOURCES :: Sellers

Seller Pledge
Staging/Showing Check List
Three Reasons a Property Will Sell
Cleaning for an Open House
Moving Check List
Safety Precautions for an Open House

Seller Pledge
My goal is to provide my clients with the highest level of service in the real estate industry. I promise to provide you with the services listed below.

• To provide my clients with a comprehensive listing presentation
• To provide clients with a competitive market analysis
• To provide clients with a customized marketing plan for their home
• To provide my clients with access to a home warranty program
• To provide my clients with internet-powered marketing
• To list my client's property in the multiple listing service
• To communicate regularly with clients regarding all aspects of the listing
• To follow up with showings or comments about the home
• To promptly present all offers and provide negotiation services
• To answer or find answers to any questions that the seller may have

Staging is a way to decorate your house to make it look it's best. There are professional ‘stager's' available.

Exterior

• Prospective buyers will often drive by a house before deciding to view it. "Curb side" appeal is very important.

• Put away tools and toys

• Put garbage can in the garage

• Close garage door

• Park cars on the street or around the corner

• Wash windows, inside and out

• Clean yard—cut shrubs, mow lawn, rake leaves, sweep sidewalks, patios, decks

• Paint or touch up paint

• Welcome potential buyer at the entry—new door mat and potted flowers on the porch

Staging not only accents a listing's best features, it eliminates as many distractions and negative aspects as possible.

Interior

• Paint or touch-up, neutral colors are best, avoid eccentric décor

• Clutter control-remove all personal items, put away all pictures, knick knacks, collections

• Pack-dishes/china and small appliances rarely used; unused linens, towels and blankets;

• Furniture that crowds a room; exercise equipment; collections or antiques, books and/or video/dvds; magazine collections; toys not being used
• Clean, clean. Shampoo rug. You may want to hire a cleaning service to come in weekly.

• Clear off all counter and table tops. Set the dining room table

• Turn on all lights

• Open drapes and blinds

• Paint or touch–up, neutral colors are best, avoid eccentric décor

• Put soft music on the stereo

• Give the house a pleasant aroma

• Make all beds and turn down

• Set the temperature at a comfortable level

• Rearrange furniture so the house appears spacious, warm and inviting

• Bathrooms- always have fresh towels, new soap in dishes, buy a new shower curtin

• Fireplace-clean and neatly stack logs

• Fresh flowers in vases make a wonderful impression

• Try to empty closets so they appear larger, only half full

House and Community Information

• Please have the following information available if it applies and is possible

• Paid utility bills

• Current property tax receipt

• Real estate flyer

• Floor plan of the house

• List of upgrades

• Map and/or list of community features

• Warranty information on all appliances

1. PRICE
   You must have your price based on the current market value. Buyers do not care how much money you think your house is worth or how much money you need for the sale. They want a fair price.

2. CONDITION
   You should get your home in the best possible condition before putting it on the market. Fix any minor problems. Make sure all odors (pet, cigarette) are gone and the house has a pleasant smell.

3. MARKET CONDITIONS
   If there are many sellers and few buyers it is a buyers market and values tend to soften. If it is a buyers market it may take longer to sell your house

Vacuum: use the brush attachments to get cobwebs from ceilings and corners, light fixtures, ceiling fan blades, shutters, lamp shades, pictures, window sills, furniture and drapes.

• Dust and polish wood furniture.
• Wipe off wood work.

• Clean mirrors and glass table tops.

• Clean counter tops and back splash in kitchen and baths.

• Clean the shower, tub and toilet.

• Mop the floors.

• Vacuum instead of dusting or sweeping whenever possible. It’s quicker.

• Sort through your things: One stack for moving, one for garage sale/ebay or charily and one stack for garbage.
• Make repairs and clean up.

• Reserve a moving truck.

• Get a change of address form from the Post Office.

• Change your insurance coverage including auto, life, health, home/renter.

• Give all creditors and magazine subscriptions your new address.

• Contact all utility companies and phone companies with the disconnect date and the beginning date at the new house.

• Obtain copies of your medical, dental and prescription records.

• Open a bank account in your new city .

• Contact DMV with your new address.

• Defrost and clean refrigerator.

• Have a first day box with clothing, personal items, towels, cleaning supplies, toilet paper and paper towels.

• Do a final walk through and check all cabinets and drawers before leaving.
  

• Before an open house remove all small valuables from sight: money, credit cards, keys, garage door openers, check books.
• Some potential buyers may have small children so remove or secure as many breakable valuable items as possible.

• Make sure your pet is confined or removed.

• Remove or lock away all your guns.