Helping you reach your Real Estate goals

There are many aspects and stages to the home selling process and the right information and mental attitude determines whether your home will sell in a short period of time or remain on the market longer than necessary.  Even in today's challenging market homes are being sold every day.  

What determines Market Value

It is important to note that Realtors and Appraisers do not set property values.  Properties compete for Buyer's attention.  Buyers compare properties to determine which home is the best "deal".  Proper pricing anticipates what buyers will be willing to pay by comparing similar properties recently sold, and competing listings currently on the market.   It is well documented by studies done that properties listed too high in the beginning end up actually selling for less than otherwise would have had the home been priced right from the start.  This is because if a sale is not achieved in the beginning when the majority of showing activity takes place, it then becomes necessary to reduce the price to regenerate new activity.  Buyers are well aware of homes that have been on the market for a long time and are typically inclined to bring lower offers in those situations.  So it is imperative to price right from the beginning because pricing high only lengthens the process, and results in a lower net to seller.

 Here are some of the factors that do not effect property values:

• Seller's original sales price
• Net proceeds that seller requires
• Opinion of others (Even Realtors and Appraisers have to do their homework before they can come up with an estimated value)
• Major Improvements rarely recoup their full cost
• Maintenance items to keep home in good working condition

At our initial meeting I will go over the market data in your area and discuss many other factors that will be applicable to your particular property.

Preparing your home to Stand out

I am a trained Staging professional and will help you by giving you tips on how to best present your home to the market.  There is a lot more to staging than addressing clutter and cleaning, so the better the condition of the home when I first come to visit your home, the more we can take it to that next level. 

• First Impression is everything.
• Many homes do not sell because of cluttered rooms, dirty kitchens and bathrooms, stained/worn or outdated carpets and wall colors, unkept landscaping and unpleasant odors.
• Applying a bit of "elbow grease" is the cheapest and most effective way to make a home sparkle and stand out from others on the market.
• In Indiana, New Homes Construction drives our economy and builders are building as far as the eye can see.  This is partly why we have never enjoyed higher appreciation rates compared to other states.  Your home will be competing with lots of other new or newer homes so maintaining good condition and updating if necessary will go a long way in causing buyers to choose your home over others.

Ready, Set, Go!

Once the home is ready for market we need to arrange for your home to be photographed, and all the marketing we discussed at our first meeting to get implemented.  Better be ready because you may receive showings the first day!  I will work with you to arrange showings and convey feedback from showings to you directly.  At this stage you will also receive automatic updates on market activity.  It is very important that you as the seller keep abreast of both the feedbacks we receive and the market updates I will send you.  We are a team and I am always open to your suggestions and points.  The more we communicate the better results we will have.

The moment we've been waiting for

Once we receive an offer, I will be contacting you to set up a time ideally in person so I can go over the information with you.  Price is not the only thing to be concerned about, as closing dates, items that will or will not remain with the home, financing, and other factors are equally as important.   It is important to allow yourself some time to consider the details and not be hasty or take any offer for granted.  I am a trained negotiator and know how to approach any situation and can offer solutions.

Once we have an "Accepted Offer" which may come after a few rounds of countering, we are ready to get busy getting things lined up for closing.  This is a typical progression from this point on highlighting the major phases:

·         Delivery of Earnest money

·         Home Inspection - Just like showings, seller should *not* be present

·         Reviewing the Inspection Report, and preparing responses

·         Helping you obtain estimates for repairs if needed

·         Appraisal ordered by lender

·         Final Walk-through

·         Closing

We will discuss each step in detail prior to each event, and I will answer any questions you might have.  This will be a busy period and each situation, home and closing is different.  But I will be here for you to walk you through and advise you throughout each step, even after closing. 

If you are moving to a new home in the area, I am well qualified to arrange for a seamless move from your current home into your new home in most cases.  Unless you are building a home after selling your existing home, or any out of the ordinary situation, there is no reason why you should not be able to move from your current home straight into your next home.  I’m here to help make that happen for you.