Knowledge can be the key to a speedier
house sale. That's why you're smart to learn all you
can about selling your house -- from appraisals and
negotiations to what to expect at final closing.
Plus, now's a good time to find out how a CENTURY 21
agent can help you market your house for the quickest
sale at the best price possible.
Create a marketing plan for your home that
will help distinguish it in your local marketplace and
attract buyers to your property. This may include advertising
in the newspaper, posting your listing on the Internet,
holding an open house and more. CENTURY 21 Sales Professionals
often use the CENTURY 21 Customized Marketing System to
create a personalized selling program for clients. Its
purpose is to sell a home at the best price possible in
the shortest amount of time.
A key part of the marketing plan is setting
the list price. If a home is priced too low, it may cost
you money. If a home is priced too high, potential buyers
may be scared away. To determine the best asking price
review the cost of recently sold homes, evaluate the competition
and study marketplace trends. CENTURY 21 Sales Associates
are trained to use this information to help you reach
the right asking price. It is also helpful to discuss
other terms and conditions, such as timing and items that
can be included with the sale of the home. Both of these
can make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
An appraisal is a professional estimate of a property's
market value, based on recent sales of comparable properties,
location, square footage and construction quality. This
service varies in cost depending on the price of the home.
On average, an appraisal costs about $300 for a $250,000
house.
A comparative market analysis is an informal estimate
of market value performed by a real estate agent based
on similar sales and property attributes. Most agents
offer free analyses in the hopes of winning your business.
You also can get a comparable sales report for a fee from
private companies that specialize in real estate data
or find comparable sales information available on various
real estate Internet sites.
Now it's time to get your home ready for
the spotlight. Start with a good cleaning, then eliminate
any clutter, add a fresh coat of paint and tidy up the
yard. Talk to your real estate professional about other
tips that can help boost a home's curb appeal and impress
potential buyers once they're in the door. One way to
make a home more attractive is to purchase a Home Protection
Plan. This insurance protects you, the seller, from paying
repair or replacement costs of major items during the
listing period. It also protects the buyer during their
first year of homeownership.
In addition, make sure you are aware of all the federal,
state, and local disclosure laws. This information can
be obtained by the specific local and federal government
agencies or from your local CENTURY 21 Office.
A buyer has made an offer - now it is time
to negotiate. Rely on your real estate professional to
guide you through this process. He or she will help you
arrive at an acceptable price, terms and conditions. Once
you have accepted an offer, help keep the deal together
by meeting deadlines and criteria, including home inspections,
appropriate buyer visits, scheduled deposits and other
steps. In fact, during this period there may be a renegotiation
of the accepted offer price depending on the outcomes
of these visits. As the closing nears, you may also need
to perform repairs or do additional work to the house
as agreed upon in your contract. In addition, you will
need to have the house "broom clean" prior to
the closing so that the buyer can complete a final walk
through. When you finally arrive at the closing table,
come prepared with the appropriate certificates and approvals
as required by your town, county and state. Ask the appropriate
agency or get a list of what you need from your local
CENTURY 21 Office. Once the money has exchanged hands
and all the papers signed it's time to hand over the keys
and concentrate on your next big project - getting YOUR
new home in order.
