Selling Your Present Home

Suggestions to Improve the Process

1.      Must I sell before buying?  Sale of a present home is often a lender requirement but for buyers who can qualify, there are valid reasons to consider contracting before selling, including:  favorable pricing (cut-off price increases), interest rate lock-in and other factors.  Alternatives to selling (or if your home doesn’t sell) are detailed on the reverse. 

2.      What can I do to make my present home sell faster?  Curb appeal is primary; a home with peeling paint, clutter, ragged lawn, untrimmed trees or shrubs entices few buyers.  Inside it’s important to de-personalize and de-clutter.  It usually isn’t necessary to make costly fix-ups of ‘normal wear & tear’ items, however damaged goods and leaky plumbing are buyer turn-offs.

3.      Should I consider a real estate agent?  Yes because most sellers are relatively inexperienced and an agent will advise you as to the current market and value.  Also, a real estate agent will usually result in an earlier sale because they will expose your home to more prospective buyers.

4.      How do I choose the right agent?  Choosing the right agent is important; you want someone who will give good advice… not what they think you want to hear.  Experience and market share is a must to get maximum exposure to the most prospective buyers. 

5.      How experienced is the agent?  This information isn’t readily available… there aren’t consumer reports for real estate agents.  You can get a feel for the more active agents from the number of neighborhood for sale signs.  Positive referral from sources you trust is another good way to judge if you are considering a good agent.

6.      What’s the agent’s record and game plan?  Do interviews and talk to at least three real estate agents and get a listing presentation from each.  Experience is essential and knowledge about your home type and neighborhood is important.  Don’t let the agent be vague; ask questions including: “What will you do to market the home I’m selling”… on the web and elsewhere?”  “How many homes in the neighborhood have you sold or helped buyers purchase in the past year?”  “Will you be doing open houses?”   “Will my home be included in newspaper ads?”

7.      Is the chemistry Good?   Ask yourself if you like the agent.  Personal chemistry is actually quite important.  It’s a personal transaction and a lot of stress could be involved.  Try to ensure that by the end of the deal, you’re not going to be loosing hair at the very sound of the agent’s voice.  If the agent has a bad reputation among peers, other agents may avoid dealing with him or her, which will cost you in ways you’ll never see.

8.      Selecting your agent.  Be wary of an agent who suggests a price that is too high or too low.  A home priced too high will likely sit awhile but if under priced, you’ll be leaving money on the table.  Give bonus points to the agent who talks frankly about the deficiencies in your home and requires fixes before accepting the listing.

9.      Is the commission negotiable?  In this area, residential real estate commissions are usually 6% split equally between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent.  If an agent proposes a lower commission for no apparent reason… it could be a signal for caution.

10.  Whom do agents represent?  You should receive a disclosure form from the agent to confirm the type of representation and a contract that includes the term of the agreement. 

11.  What do references say?  An agent highly recommended by someone you trust is golden.  In any event, you should interview several agents and call their former clients to get a sense of performance.  The most telling question you can ask is, “Would you hire this person again?”  If there is any hesitation, call another reference or two.

12.  Who do we recommend?  When you’ve made the decision to buy an Omega Home, it is important that you get the very best agent possible to expedite the process of selling your present home.  Your Omega consultant will be pleased to assist you in choosing a top performing agent, with extensive experience in listing and selling homes throughout the area.