Category: Tips on selling a home
Time to Prune!Time to Prune!
Curb appeal is very important. If you are thinking of selling, now is the time to take a look at your place thru new eyes. Do you have trees that are growing too close to your home, or fruit trees that need trimming?
How to choose a real estate agent?How to choose a real estate agent?
What kind of real estate company and agent you want working for you is a very important question. At first you might say “I need a large company working for me.” Let’s look~
1. Size– You might feel the excitement and buss of a large office, however lets look a little closer. Will there be confusion on who to speak with throughout the real estate process? Can your realtor be reached? Do they return calls in a timely manner? How’s there reputation with other Realtors and clients? All Realtors can list your home on the MLS, and to hundreds of internet sites but what does the prospective office do differently than the others?
2. Location– Consider how long it will be to drive to the prospective office. Of course technology gives real estate agents and clients mobility to keep up on emails, and answer calls. However, a real estate office being in another town does not make it easy for you. How easy is it for clients to find the real estate office? What are the first impressions you get when you walk in?
3. Training– Does your potential realtor has specialized training? Sure all Realtors are licensed by the state but what makes them stand out? Have they gotten any awards?
4. Experience– How many sales has the potential realtor had in your area? Are they familiar with the domestic water systems in your area? How about the irrigation? In Montezuma County in Southwest Colorado do they know about “red signed roads?” If they don’t sell much in your area, the answer is no. Get a list of current clients and past clients to call and get reviews. Google them. Do they have a personal website that is user friendly?
5. Administrative Support– Meet their assistant. Are they friendly? Google them.
6. Commissions– Does the real estate office, offer the same commission structure to everyone? There are firms that will take a listing for a lower commission, however what kind of service will you get? Will other Realtors want to show your home if they are only getting paid 2 or 2.5% commission? Will a Realtor just list your house at any price to get the listing or will they do a market analysis to determine the fair price?
7. Marketing– For sellers, ask to see a marketing plan from a prospective realtor? If buying a home, will they look at everything on the market ie. Craigslist, MLS, and for sale by owners?
8. Community Involvement- Is your potential Realtor involved in the community? You want a Realtor who is known in the community and has a wide range of interests. For buyers, the Realtor will know what’s going on and who is about to list their home. For sellers, Realtors who are known in the community will have more clients, and that will equal to more showings.
By doing your homework, you can have a successful and stress free real estate transaction. If you would like more information on buying or selling a home in Mancos, Dolores, or Cortez Colorado, please give me a call 970-759-2540. MancosHomes.com. I’m here to help!
Tips to sell your home in the SpringTips to sell your home in the Spring
When selling your house in the Spring, you need to know how to stand out above the rest. Here are some tips that will help you.
1. Hire a realtor who can be your trusted advisor, knows the market and has sold homes in your area. Do your homework and get recommendations, and interview potential Realtors. I’ve lived in Mancos for 26 years, and would love to do a free market analysis for you.
2. Before the home is listed, get it inspected. This way, you have a chance to fix things and you won’t have any surprises once you find a buyer.
3. Clean the house this includes windows, and outside. Get the house power washed, clean the fans, do touch up painting and declutter. You want your house to be spacious, so buyers can imagine their stuff in the home. Make sure your closets are not stuffed. First impressions are huge.
4. On the day of a showing, have curtains opened up, for sunshine and turn on the lights. Also have bottle water and cookies out for potential buyers. You want them to linger and fall in love with your home.
5. Have a detailed sheet for the buyers in the kitchen for them to take home. List the things that you love about the home, ie. proximity to schools, forest, big yard, heated floors, views.
I’d love to help you get your home sold in Mancos, Cortez and Dolores, Colorado. I’m a Realtor here to help. Call me anytime. MancosHomes.com 970-759-2540
Can a garden help me sell my home?Can a garden help me sell my home?
Nothing better than seeing a home that has a bountiful garden. If you are thinking of selling your home this summer, plan now to have a garden! There is just something about warmer weather that makes you want to be outside. You can start plants inside now, however do not plant them outside until mid May. Even than your tomatoes will need to be protected from the cool nights.
Everyone knows that first impressions are huge. What can a seller do to make their home stand out from the competition? Sure clean the home from top to bottom: ceiling fans, windows, carpets, etc. But what else? I suggest working on the yard! Have a mixture of perennial flowers and vegetables! You want the buyers to linger and fall in love with your home, so I suggest baking chocolate cookies and having a plate for them with bottled water. There’s just something about the yummy smell!
Have a flyer with pictures on the kitchen table for potential buyers to take with them of things you love about your home. Want to sell your home? I’m here to help! MancosHomes.com
Selling your home – Is it underpriced?Selling your home – Is it underpriced?
Selling your home is a major decision. Several questions need to be asked.
Thinking of selling? Get your home pre-inspected?Thinking of selling? Get your home pre-inspected?
Are you thinking of selling your home? One of the best things you can do is get it pre-inspected and tested for radon.
What is radon? Radon is a cancer-causing radio-active gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it may be a problem in your home. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you’re at a high risk for developing lung cancer. Some studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage.
According to the US EPA, nearly 1 in 3 homes in 7 states tested have screening levels over 4 pCi/L, the EPA’s recommended level. Recently, I had buyer under contract for a home that tested for radon and it was at 55 pCi/L! The highest the inspector has seen. Also this same buyer had the house inspected and several issues arose: mold in attic, deck not secured properly, electrical issues and roof issues. The seller was not willing to fix the problems to my buyers satisfaction, so my buyer made the choice of picking a safer home for his family.
As a seller, you can be proactive and get it pre-inspected so that you can get things fixed. Once you do find a buyer, and they do their inspection there won’t be any issues and you can more forward to the closing.
This is just one way to help you thru the selling process. I would love to help you, so please call me anytime!
How to sell your home this Summer!How to sell your home this Summer!
How to sell your home this Summer! May 23, 2016
- Tackle the obvious repairs. Look at your home thru a buyer’s eyes. Broken windows, doors that don’t shut properly, mice, chipping paint, holes?
- Hire a realtor who will listen to you, do a free market analysis and who can be reached. So important!!
- Remove your junk and declutter. Take 1/2 the stuff out of your closets. Buyers like to see space.
- Depersonalize your home. Take down family photos, your collectibles, and heirlooms. Buyer’s want to invision their stuff in your house.
- First impressions are huge. Make the outside landscaping sparkle, clean the house really good, open window for fresh air and do not put in air freshners!
- Price your house to sell. Only have about a $10k wiggle room. If you don’t get showings and offers within the first 30-60 days, it’s priced to high!
Why isn’t my home selling?Why isn’t my home selling?
Why isn’t my home selling? February 8, 2016
Many people ask me why their home isn’t selling. Buyers start the process by looking at size, location, style and price of a home. Are you priced right? Have you looked at your home thru a buyer’s eyes? Give me a call for a free market analysis. Thanks for your referrals!