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"FEATURED LISTING" ON REALTOR.COM
Sellers - More than 89% of all home buyers are now starting their search on the Internet. 71% of those buyers begin their search on "Realtor.com." When you list your property for sale with me, I offer you an exclusive marketing opportunity on the # 1 real estate website, to give you outstanding exposure. When buyers do a search for homes in the Northern Virginia & D.C. area, your home will be one of the very first ones they see! And the information will be enhanced with extra photos, scrolling banners and more. Plus, it features a direct link to my website, allowing me to show them your home soon after it's listed.
Call me and let me introduce you to the "Featured Listing" marketing program, and this is at no extra cost to you! You can count on me to price your property properly, get it out to everyone possible, stay in touch with you on at least a weekly basis, and go above and beyond the call of duty to get the escrow closed.
Finding the Best Real Estate Professional
Finding the right real estate professional requires doing a little research and asking a few questions. You need to know everything about the selling process. What is the marketing strategy? What kind of advertising will be done? Is the Realtor® capable and willing to
communicate effectively? Can the Realtor® effectively present and sell the less-noticeable assets of the property?
Real estate professionals also need to be knowledgeable about the community. They need to have a feel for the history of the area and the approximate price that people will be willing to pay. Also, Realtors® should know what the competition is and how much it will effect your sale.
NEVER choose a Realtor® on price alone. Remember that a Realtor® cannot magically raise the selling price of the house. Consider the buyer. The purchaser won't willingly pay too much; it's most likely that he or she will do research on the market and try to find the best product for the best price. The facts simply cannot be changed, no matter which Realtor® you select. In spite of these unchangeable factors, the Realtor® you select must still be diligent and knowledgable.
If your property does not elicit attention within several weeks, the cause can most likely be attributed to one of these three factors: location, condition, and price. The location obviously cannot be changed. You should consider examining the conditioning of your property and reevaluating the marketing strategy. Ask your Realtor® to offer an explanation of the competition and your pricing strategy.
SEVEN SELLING MISTAKES YOU DON'T WANT TO MAKE!
Mistake #1 -- Pricing Your Property Too High
Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her product. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price.
Mistake #2 -- Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market Value
Unfortunately, a re-finance appraisal may have been stated at an untruthfully high price. Often, lenders estimate the value of your property to be higher than it actually is in order to encourage re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be lower. Your best bet is to ask your REALTOR® for the most recent information regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value.
Mistake #3 -- Forgetting to "Showcase Your Home"
In spite of how frequently this mistake is addressed and how simple it is to avoid, its prevalence is still widespread. When attempting to sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and looks presentable. A poorly kept home in need of repairs will surely lower the selling price of your property and will even turn away some buyers.
Mistake #4 -- Trying to "Hard Sell" While Showing
Buying a house is always an emotional and difficult decision. As a result, you should try to allow prospective buyers to comfortably examine your property. Don't try haggling or forcefully selling. Instead, be friendly and hospitable. A good idea would be to point out
any subtle amenities and be receptive to questions.
Mistake #5 -- Trying to Sell to "Looky-Loo's"
A prospective buyer who shows interest because of a "for sale" sign he saw may not really be interested in your property. Often buyers who do not come through a Realtor® are a good 6-9 months away from buying, and they are more interested in seeing what is out there than in actually making a purchase. They may still have to sell their house, or may
not be able to afford a house yet. They may still even be unsure as to whether or not they want to relocate.
Your Realtor® should be able to distinguish realistic potential buyers from mere lookers. Realtors® should usually find out a prospective buyer's savings, credit rating, and purchasing power in general. If your Realtor® fails to find out this pertinent information, you should do some investigating and questioning on your own. This will help you avoid wasting valuable time marketing towards the wrong people. If you have to do this work yourself, consider finding a new Realtor®
Mistake #6 -- Not Knowing Your Rights & Responsibilities
It is extremely important that you are well-informed of the details in your real estate contract. Real estate contracts are legally binding documents, and they can often be complex and confusing. Not being aware of the terms in your contract could cost you thousands for repairs and inspections. Know what you are responsible for before signing the contract. Can the property be sold "as is"? How will deed restrictions and local zoning laws will affect your transaction? Not knowing the answers to these kind of questions could end up costing you a considerable amount of money.
Mistake #7 -- Limiting the Marketing and Advertising of the Property
Your Realtor® should employ a wide variety of marketing techniques. Your Realtor® should also be committed to selling your property; he or she should be available for every phone call from a prospective buyer. Most calls are received, and open houses are scheduled, during business hours, so make sure that your Realtor® is working on selling your home during these hours. Chances are that you have a job, too, so you may not be able to get in touch with many potential buyers.
MOVING TIPS
Easing the Transition to Your New Home
Use the right boxes, and pack them carefully
Professional moving companies use only sturdy, reinforced cartons. The boxes you can get at your neighborhood supermarket or
liquor store might be free, but they are not nearly as strong or padded, and so can't shield your valuables as well from harm in transit.
Use sheets, blankets, pillows and towels to separate pictures and other fragile objects from each other and the sides of the carton.
Pack plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked.
Be sure to point out to your mover the boxes in which you've packed fragile items, especially if those items are exceptionally valuable.
The mover will advise you whether those valuables need to be repacked in sturdier, more appropriate boxes.
The heavier the item, the smaller the box it should occupy. A good rule of thumb is if you can't lift the carton easily, it's too heavy.
Label your boxes, especially the one containing sheets and towels, so you can find everything you need the first night in your new home.
For Your Family's Safety & Comfort
Teach your children your new address. Let them practice writing it on packed cartons. You can lighten your load and reduce any storage space you need to rent by hosting a garage or yard sale.
Fill two "OPEN ME FIRST" cartons containing snacks, instant coffee or tea bags, soap, toilet paper, toothpaste and brushes, medicine and toiletry items (make sure caps are tightly secured), flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a pan
or two, paper towels, and any other items your family can't do without. Ask your van foreman to load one of these boxes,
so that it will be unloaded at your new home first.
Why the second box? In case the movers are delayed getting to your house on the day of the move.
Keep your pets out of packing boxes and away from all the activity on moving day.
Let all your electrical gadgets return to room temperature before plugging them in.
Since you may need to call old neighbors or businesses from your new home, pack your phone book.
Work hand in hand with your mover
Give the mover's foreman your reach numbers and email addresses so you can stay in contact.
Read the inventory form carefully, and ask the mover to explain anything you don't understand.
Make a note of your shipment's registration number, and keep your Bill of Lading handy.
If you're moving long distance, be aware that your property might share a truck with that of several other households. For this reason, your mover might have to warehouse your furniture and belongings for several days. Therefore, ask your mover whether your goods will remain on the truck until delivered. If they have to be stored, ask whether you can check the warehouse for security, organization and cleanliness.
Thanks for visiting MarykayStults.com and let me know how I can help you!
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