SELLINGLakewood

Why should you use a Realtor to help sell your home?

From A-Z, there are literally dozens of things that need to be considered, handled and resolved in the course of selling your home. From placing your home on the market to signing the final closing papers, here's how I can help:

Preparing Your Home

Study Market and Recommend Price

(Comparative Market Analysis, or "CMA"):
I will generate a report that compares your home to the other homes currently being sold in your area. It may also show other homes that have sold recently, or "expired" from the market before selling. This data will help you and I determine the most effective, realistic asking (or "list") price for your property.

Recommend Interior and Exterior Improvements

Your home should "smile a welcome" to prospective buyers! The exterior attracts, with "curb appeal," and the interior closes the sale. I will tour your home with you, advising you about which improvements should or could be made.

Marketing the House

List House in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) In northern Ohio, the MLS lets real estate agents show and sell each other's listed properties as "cooperating brokers." It's an electronic database promoting large and small broker's listings - and the more agents know your home is for sale, the faster it's likely to sell.

Host Brokers' Open

This tour (usually held on a weekday morning) invites local real estate agents to see your home, previewing it for their buyers.

"HotList" Your Property

I am able to quickly broadcast new listings within the real estate community, via computerized "hot sheets" that announce your home's arrival on the market. The faster agents and brokers know your home's for sale, the sooner their buyers will pay a visit!

Provide a Lockbox for House

An electronic "key" or numeric combination will open this door-hanging box, which holds a house key allowing agents entrance to your home when you're not there. It's very useful for sellers who are often away from home, or for homes off the beaten path.

Marketing to the Public

Provide a Yard Sign

Yard signs are an awareness-generating tool, notifying neighbors and drive-by buyers that your home is for sale.

List House on Web Sites

The Internet is exploding in popularity with home buyers: nationally, more than 75% of people "in the market" for a new home are surfing web sites that promote homes in their market areas. It's especially valuable for capturing incoming transferees.

List House on Telephone Information System (HotLine)

Think about it: before you were ready to go looking at houses, didn't you want to know more about which ones were listed for sale? The Realty One HotLine is a telephone system that allows buyers to hear about listed properties before they start working with a real estate agent. They can listen to detailed property descriptions when they want to -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's a guaranteed component of our Marketing System.

Run Classified Ads

This most basic marketing tool still prevails in most areas. I will advertise your home in the real estate pages of your local newspaper, with a brief description, asking price and contact information.

Advertise House in Home Book Magazine

Free of charge and available everywhere home buyers shop, The Realty One Home Book is the second-most-popular marketing tool among sellers and a very useful catalogue when you're buying a home.

Arrange Showings

I will set up the showings of your home, accommodating the schedules of qualified buyers and their agents - without inconveniencing you and your family.

Conduct Open Houses

I may not already know your home's eventual buyer - but open houses can bring that buyer to your doorstep.

Advertise House with Direct Mail

Promotional postcards and other written materials about your home can be sent to targeted market areas and the potential home buyers who live there.

Sales/Closing Support

Qualify/Pre-Screen Potential Buyers

Prospective buyers visiting your home should be financially able to purchase it. I can work with the buyer's agent, assuring that the people who see your home can afford its price range. You may wish to require pre-qualification (or more complete pre-approval) by a qualified lender.

Attend Inspections

City code inspections, "general" home inspections, pest and radon inspections -- your I can represent your interests, attending various inspections of your home while it's listed and once you've accepted a buyer's offer.

Evaluate and Negotiate Offers

It's what we most often think of, when choosing an agent to represent us in a home sale or purchase. Is the price acceptable to you? Do you need to push back the closing date? Will you repair the roof in exchange for full asking price? These are just examples of why you'll want a trusted, objective professional to help shape your decisions.

Counsel for Contract Acceptance

Facing one of life's biggest decisions, most of us want to fall back on the guidance and objectivity of a trusted professional. I can make sure that details are remembered, and your interests are protected.

Prepare Required Documents

A real estate transaction today can involve listing and purchase agreements, multiple disclosure statements, addenda and amendments. Do you work with real estate-related legal documents every day? I do. Rely on my familiarity with the language, timelines and requirements that lie within the paperwork.

Negotiate and Resolve Disputes

Even the smoothest, simplest real estate transaction involves two parties, with needs and objectives that may differ. I provide skilled negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution, helping you navigate a potential minefield without "taking it personally"!

Facilitate Closing/Follow-Up

It's in the details that frustrations often mount - and the details come at closing time. Once you've accepted an offer for your home, I work like a duck: paddling like mad below the surface, so that what's above the surface moves smoothly! Broker, lender, title examiner - everyone needs papers, signatures, verifications and certifications. From opening escrow to title transfer, it's another area where the right agent provides soothed nerves better than alternative medications.

Coordinate Transfers

What's the #1 irritant among home buyers? That they ran into unanticipated difficulties gaining possession of the home they purchased! I will make it happen, finalizing the transfer of utilities, house keys and ownership to your home's new owners.