Ready to Sell?

Preparing Your Home to Sell

When preparing to put your home up for sale, think about the home's exterior. If the outside looks good, people will more than likely want to see what's on the inside. Keep the lawn and landscape nicely manicured and be sure your front door area has a "Welcome" feeling. A fresh coat of paint on the front door looks great and is a simple fast solution to brighten up your curb appeal.

Of all the rooms inside your home, pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. They should look as modern, bright and fresh as possible. It is essential for them to be clean and clutter free. Ask one of our agents for advice to get the most impact for the least amount of time and money.

Reduce clutter and knick knacks, in order to let the Buyers imagine their own possessions inside the home.

Quick tips for showings:

  • Keep counter tops cleared

  • Replace all burned out light bulbs

  • Open all drapes and window blinds

  • Put pets in cages or take them to a neighbor

  • No dirty dishes in the sink

  • No laundry in the washer/dryer

FAQs

Q: I am thinking about selling my home, what should I do first?

A: The most important aspect of selling your home is determining the true value in today's real estate market. As real estate professionals it is our job to provide you with a detailed comparative market analyses (CMA) to determine your home's value. There are other variables including market conditions, interest rates and competition that will also play a role in determining it's pricing. Here at Town and Mountain Realty, we like to work together with our clients to determine how to address their exact needs after providing them with a custom CMA.

Q: What's my home worth?

A: Determining your home's worth can be overwhelming to someone who is not familiar with the details involved in making sure the property is not over priced or under priced. Our agents are trained to look at many factors and also to create a custom CMA for your property.

Q: What is a CMA?

A: A Comparative Market Analysis shows what homes similar to your own have sold for, and what homes currently on the market are listed for. It is an important procedure in determining the pricing for your home.

Q: I have seen For Sale By Owner signs in my neighborhood, can I sell it myself?

A: Only about 3% of all For Sale By Owner properties make it to the closing table as For Sale By Owner properties. With the absence of a Licensed and trained REALTOR providing forms for you, you risk putting yourself in a liability position for failure to obey disclosure laws. There is more information and statistics available on the National Association of Realtors website. There are many laws and procedures important to understand if you want your real estate transaction to go as smoothly as possible. Here are a few of the details a real estate professional will be sure to address for you:

  • State of North Carolina Residential Property Disclosure

  • Civil Rights Act of 1866

  • Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968

  • The Residential Lead Based Paint Hazards Reduction Act of 1982

  • Asbestos and Radon Disclosures

  • Necessary Legal Documents

  • Accurate Square Footage Measurements

  • Advertising your home

  • Pre-qualifying the buyers

  • Handling offers and counter-offers

  • Home inspections

  • Termite inspections

  • Preparing for closing

Most For Sale by Owner properties get sold by real estate agents. You can see by all the details that a successful sale usually involves a well-trained and experienced professional.