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There is a lot that goes into selling a home and as you might imagine, there are equally as many things to consider before, during and after the process. That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive list of 100 questions that every home seller must ask before the process even begins.
Now,
when you sit down with us and we go over the details, you will have an upper
hand with all the advanced preparedness you can imagine that comes with knowing
the right questions to ask. Here, we’ve covered some of the more prevalent ones
and included a link to the entire list below.
Pre-Listing
Preparedness, Home Value and Timing
One
of the most critical aspects of selling a home is to know whether or not the
time is right. This factors into the homeowner’s personal timing and also current
market performance. Important questions to ask include things like “how quickly
do I want to sell?” and “do I need to consider making an interim move?” The
answers will not only help you to determine the perfect time to list your home
but also make for a more successful transaction overall.
Home
values are key to this stage of selling a home because this is where many
homeowners’ are pointed toward realistic expectations – which in turn aids them
in the decision making process. Knowing the market value of your home can have
a significant impact on your decision to sell.
Agents, Agency and Contracts
Like
timing and market conditions, selecting the right agent is also key to
successfully selling your home. Once
the right agent is on board, the next thing to examine is agency and the
relationship between you and the selected professional. Agency can be confusing
and complex but by asking and learning the various roles each type of agency
plays, you will be an informed seller that knows exactly what to expect from
your agent.
Yet
another vital component of selling a home entails a detailed understanding of
the contracts involved. Listing agreements, agency disclosures, seller and
lead-based paint disclosures – are just a few of the many documents you may
need to review or sign. To ask “what are the contingencies I can expect to see
on a typical offer?” or even inquiring about the timing between an accepted
offer and the required inspection period will help you gain an edge.
Advertising,
Marketing and Offers
When
you set out to sell your home do you know how it will be marketed? How do you
feel about open houses? What are the statistics for open houses in your area
and are they effective? Something you will hear time and again through many
sources is the subject of preparing your home for sale. You will be advised to neutralize the
décor,
remove clutter, make any necessary repairs and so much more. Throughout doing
all these things there will be some expenses incurred – so ask yourself if you are
ready to make that investment to get your home sold.
Finally,
when you do have an offer or more than one comes in – what do you need to do
next? What is a reasonable counter offer without putting off the prospective
buyer? In today’s market one thing occurring in many areas is the issue of
multiple offers. If that does happen, have you considered how you might handle it?
Our list of 100 questions will share the essentials of these and many more concerns
that you may not even realize you ought to consider.
Finances and
Closing
Oftentimes
people are selling a home that they have lived in for quite some time, and as a
result they are out of touch with today’s marketplace. An issue that may come
to the surface is present day mortgage and finance practices. You want to ask
things about the HUD-1 Statement, tax proration and escrow. Also important to
know are lending guidelines, for example the fact that most sellers today are
in the strong position to request or require a mortgage pre-approval letter
with an offer. You will also benefit from knowledge about closing documentation
to expect on closing day.
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Remember,
the number one question that is asked by sellers is “When is the best time to
sell my home?” and the answer is simply, “When you are ready.” Though there is
the common misconception that homes do not sell during year’s colder months,
sellers should bear in mind there is plenty of activity in the market year
round. There are indeed fewer buyers out there but equally, there are fewer
homes on the market, leaving you less selling completion to worry about.
In
our region alone we have had a ten percent increase in sales year over year
despite a somewhat depressed market. The news is good and if you have been on
the fence about selling your home, this may be the perfect time to talk to us
and ask that all-important question, “Can you sell my home for top dollar, in
the least amount of time and without any hassles?”