Preparing Your Home For Sale:

You’re getting ready to put your home on the market and you want it to stand out from off the rest…but how do you make it shine? Here are our tips for making that great first impression.
Start by being your buyer, forget your attachments and be critical of your home, it’s not fun but it will give you perspective. Start where the buyer will start: Stand in front of your home and ask the following:
· Street Appeal - Is the street neat in front of your home, are your sidewalks weed free, as well as your driveway?
· Landscaping - Is the grass in good shape? Are the shrubs overgrown?
· The Home’s Exterior - Does the front door need a fresh coat of paint? How does the roof and gutters look? Do the windows need cleaning or repainting?
Now, enter the front door and remember the senses: Light, Color, Sound and Smell:
· Are all your lights working, with proper wattage bulbs? Are your drapes or blinds open to allow maximum natural light?
· Are the walls and floors done in neutral colors? Buyers can be put off by strong colors or outdated wall papers that are outside their personal palette .
· Are there mechanical noises or a running dishwasher that may be distracting?
· Can I smell pets or smoke?
Proceed through each room asking:
· Is there an easy, clear path into the house?
· Can I eliminate any items on the kitchen or bath counters?
· Are the bathroom and kitchen “sparkling” clean?
· Do any rooms look overcrowded? Is there one piece of furniture that can be stored out of sight?
· Are there items stacked on stairways?
· Could I weed out closets to make them appear larger?
· Are there stains on any ceilings?
· Do the hardwood floors need refinishing?

When you are interviewing your Realtor® go over each of the above items. Ask that if changed would it be considered a good investment and make your home more attractive. Remember as hard as you may look, your Realtor® will have a fresh eye and see what you not see.

More than likely the reason you’re selling your home is because you want to purchase a larger home. In other words, you’ve outgrown your home and probably have a lot of “stuff”. By removing or at least packing away some items during the listing period your home will look bigger and more spacious to potential buyers. If cabinets, closets, garage and basement are packed full the house will not appear large enough to buyers.

The Steps to Selling Your Home:

• Interview agents to find a full time professional in your area. Log onto our blog 2/5/07 for questions you should ask during the interview.
• Have your Realtor® prepare a comparable market analysis on your property. This will show you the current competition as well as similar properties that have closed within the past five months.
• Review the CMA with your Realtor® and fill out the listing agreement. At that time the CT Sellers disclosures as well as Inclusion/Exclusion form will be filled out.
• Your Realtor® will go through each room with you giving you suggestions on how to best stage the home and list any needed maintenance items. Measurements and photos will also be taken at this time, or when proper staging is complete.
• Your property will be entered into the MLS system, a sign will be ordered and ads placed within 24 hours.
• An appointment will be made with you by our team to shoot photos for the visual tour.
• The “Team” will schedule a Sunday open house at your convenience and will have the office agents tour on the first or second Tuesday following listing.
• Upon receipt of an offer your agent will review all aspects of the offer with you. At the same time any changes in the market will be discussed as well as any recent sales or new listings.
• When you have agreed on a counter offer your agent will verbally pass this along to the selling agent.
• Once all conditions of the contract are agreed to verbally, a revised copy will be signed by the buyer and then the seller. Your agent will then forward a copy of the sales agreement to your attorney along with a copy of your deed for his/her use.
• In the event the buyer requests repairs or improvements as a result of the inspections, a letter will be sent to your Realtor® with these requests. Your Realtor® will review and help you decide which items are necessary for the sale to continue. A letter will be prepared and forwarded to the seller’s agent.
• Once the buyer has mortgage commitment your agent will notify your attorney and their office will schedule the closing. As soon as the closing is scheduled you will notify the utilities.
• Attend the closing.