It is done. You have spiffed up your house, selected an agent, and set a price. And now the fun begins–showing your home to strangers. You’ll need to decide how you want the house shown. Most sellers will say to call first and if there is not answer, leave a message. Others will want to [...]

You’ve chosen an agent and filled out all the paperwork. The sign is up and the keybox is on the door. At some point, either right before or right after the listing agreement is signed, the agent will measure the house–room sizes and the exterior measurements for finished square footage. He or she will also [...]

You have selected an agent and agreed on a price and you are ready to put your house on the market. Your agent will ask you to fill out a 4-page disclosure form telling everything you know about the house. If it was built before 1978, you will also be asked to fill out a [...]

Today we are talking some more about the options you have in choosing a real estate firm and agent to represent you in selling your home. Last week I mentioned that there are firms that charge an up-front fee and put your information in the Multi-List System. Then there are the firms that offer a [...]

For the last few weeks, we have been talking about what all is involved when you decide to sell your house. Two very important tasks are to spit polish your home and to price it right. The next thing you will want to decide is whether or not to hire a Realtor and to figure [...]

You need to sell your house–you have ajob transfer, you’ve outgrown your present home, or hou’ve just found another house that y ou love and that would fit your family’s life-style so much better. Whatever the reason, the thought of having to sell your current house is mind-boggling. What do you do first? How long [...]

Whether you are selling your home or applying for a home equity loan, one person who’ll eventually show up on your doorstep is the appraiser. It is the appraiser’s job to determine the fair market value of your home. The first step is an actual physical inspection. The second is an analysis of comparable property [...]

The old saying, “buyer beware” has shifted to “seller beware” as many states and municipalities now require home sellers to sign disclosure statements that identify problems. But even in locations that don’t require disclosure, being up front with buyers can keep a seller out of hot water and out of court. Of course sellers want [...]

Real estate agents ask sellers to leave and take their pets with them when potential buyers are viewing the property. There are good reasons why: The house should be the sole focus of attention. The owners’ presence can be distracting, and it’s hard for buyers to mentally move into a house while the people who [...]

It’s time to sell your home and you have decided that you need to hire a real estate agent. How do you choose the right one? A good way to start is to ask friends and co-workers for recommendations. Attend open houses–this allows you to see how agents market their listings. And when you interview [...]