Selling your house

Selling your home is a complicated process.

At Home Trust Team we produce consistent results for sellers, from creating flyers and brochures,running open house, down to dedicated in house transaction coordinator compliance standards are met.

 

Tips For Selling

• Know what you're selling and for how much. If you need to change a price, do so as soon as possible, but don't do it to often. Determine exactly what, if anything, comes with the house. Are you taking the porch swing of leaving it? How about the gazebo? Answering questions like these helps buyers understand whether your home will work for them. It also keeps your from leaving behind precious possessions.
• Keep it clean. That means negotiations, meetings and the house itself. Don't lie to buyers to make a quick sale. Although you be upset about selling, don't treat buyers with hostility. Make  sure your house is clean and neat before  every showing, as well; ask if your realtor stages homes of knows someone who will

 

10 must ask questions when choosing an agent

1) How long have you been working in real estate?

This question is key because it can lead to so much than a simple number. While it is true that experience doesn't necessarily equal success, real estate is a commission- based business, an it would be very difficult for an agent to survive for long providing awful service. An agent who has seen many different situations is less likely to be rattled should any bumps appear sown the road.

2)What is your average number of clients

Or if you really want to be blunt: Do you, and will you , have enough time for me? No one wants to as if they're thrown by the wayside while their agent is working with dozens of other clients. If your agent is working with a high volume of homebuyers or sellers, find out how she plans to remedy the situation should you need additional attention. Does she have other team members who can help?

3) What is your ratio of buyers to sellers?

As you talk with agents, you will find may work with primarily buyers or sellers. On many teams, there are designated buyer agents and listing agents. While it good to know one thing very well, this can also lead to a limited perspective. How well can your agent be expected to know what a seller may be thinking if he has only worked with buyers or vise versa? Not only that , but should you be looking to sell your current house and buy a another, the transactions will be much more seamless with one agent to oversee the entire process.

4) What area do you cover?

You'll like encounter agents that are neighborhood experts and other who will travel halfway across the country to make a sale. it's best to find someone in the middle. The internet gives agents a better understanding of a larger territory, but that doesn't mean they can cover an entire state while maintaining intimate knowledge of local markets. When working with that "neighborhood expert", he may try too hard to fit you in a specific area that ultimately doesn't meet all your needs.

5) Are you part of a team?

Working with a team can have many benefits, but the relationship you will have with the other members should be clarified fro the get-go. Within a team, its members will have a wider level experience, and you will often find one agent has more intimate knowledge of specific situations than another. However, it should be disclosed up front if the team plans for you to work with one agent for the duration of the transaction, of if you will be meeting with different people at different times.

6) Are you equipped to handle my unique situation?

Are you a long-term investor, first time homebuyer, house flipper, or selling an estate? these are just a few of the unique scenarios you may find yourself in, and you don't want an agent who has little to no experience handling your specific situation. Don't be fooled by someone who answers the question with, ' don't worry, I've dealt with this before." Ask the agent what unique issues could arise and how she would handle them.

7) What type of communication should I expect from you?

At this point, you should already notice if you and the agent communicate in the same way. Equally important, this should be where you both set expectations for how often you should be updated, the best method to use and who needs to be kept in the loop. These should be determined by what makes you, as the client, feel most comfortable.

8) Do you have a recommended vendors list?

An experienced agent will have developed trusted relationships with other industry professionals over a long period of time. From lenders and title companies to contractors and inspectors, your agent should be able to refer you to multiple sources so can ultimately determine who works best for you. These should be recommendations, nothing more.

9) Can I have the contact information for three references?

While and agent should be able to accurately judge the customer service he or she provides, no one can better say than past clients. Obviously, agents wont be handing out information for clients who hate them, so take what the say with grain of salt.

10) What questions do you have for me?

The most important question you will ask. The true determination of a person's mindset and priories is exposed nu the questions she asks. Anyone can ask how much you want to sell your house for or how many bathrooms you want in your new home. If an agent takes the time to get to know you, your goals and your priorities, this is an excellent indicator she is already setting a foundation of client-centered service, for which there is no substitute.

*above information provide by real estate us news.

How much does it cost to sell a house?

While many people save for and anticipate the costs associated with buying a home, not everyone realizes the selling a house also comes with its share of fees.

Realtor's Commission

The real estate commission is often the largest fee that a seller has to pay. In Many cases, these commissions can total 5% to 6% of the sale cost. This means that a house that sells for $250,000 could end up costing and additional $15,000 in commission fees. The commission fee is split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent. Many homeowners are attempting to skip these high fees altogether by going to sell it yourself route, but if you take this approach be prepared to assume the Realtor's responsibilities. These can include negotiation, hiring a contract lawyer, taking care of the transfer of title which can be come very costly.

Home repairs

If you are thinking about selling your home, chances are there are a few repairs that can boost the appeal of your home and even raise its value. If you've been putting off painting a bedroom, repairing a staircase or fixing a leaky faucet, now's it time to make those changes. If your paying for repairs or upgrades with a credit card, be sure your getting cash back or rewards. Inspection Repairs

You may spend several hundred dollars for cosmetic fixes on your home but if the buyers home inspection reveals any major problems, you might be responsible for paying to fix them as well. Major repairs could a financial setback, so its important to be prepared for them before you choose to sell, especially if you anticipate a problem with your home passing inspection.

Staging

Buyers like to have a clear picture of what the will look like with there items in it. If your home is currently vacant or your possessions are outdated, you may to hire a professional stager who can arrange furniture and accessories.

Utilities

If you plan to move out before you sell your home, you'll want to continue to pay for your heat and electricity. A home without heat and lighting can be very difficult to show to buyers. Your current utility bills can give you an idea how much this will cost.

Mortgage payoff

The proceeds of your home will be used off your mortgage, but it is likely that the number on your mortgage statement might be a little less than what you owe. You'll likely have to ass prorated interest you've accrued to the total balance. Additionally, your lender may penalize you for paying early if you have a prepayment penalty associated with your mortgage.

Closing costs and additional fees

while the closing cost to sell a house is typically the responsibility of the buyer, don't be surprised if you are asked to foot the bill, especially if you are trying to sell your home in a buyer's market ( one which has an influx of homes for sale). Some of these costs may include HOA ( or homeowners association) fees, property taxes, attorney fees, transfer taxes and title insurance. You also may be asked to pay an escrow fee, a brokerage fee and a courier fee. Altogether, closing costs can range from 2 to 4% of the selling price. Many of the above fees are negotiable, and it is unlikely that a seller will be responsible for all if these. Still, it helps to be prepared. Knowing how much it will cost to sell a house can help you avoid disappointment when the time comes to put it on the market.

*above information provided by bankrate