Sellers

Tips for Home Sellers

· Find an agent: The selling process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. Your real estate agent at Terracotta Realty can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

· The Right Price: Every reasonable owner wants the best possible price and terms for his or her home. Several factors, including market conditions and interest rates, will determine how much you can get for your home. The idea is to get the maximum price and the best terms during the window of time when your home is being marketed. Your agent can best help you with the right price for your home.

· De-personalize: Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can't see past personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted.

· De-clutter: People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it.

· Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets: Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if she sees everything organized.

· Home Staging: You can hire a professional stager, ask your agent to help stage or stage it yourself. You will get more for your home if it is staged.

· Increasing your Home’s Value: If your home isn't selling, or you'd like to get more for it than the market seems ready to bear, consider investing in some upgrade projects.

· Getting Noticed: Once a home goes on the market, sellers should make sure the home is widely marketed. Buyers increasingly browse the Internet, so submitting an attractive photo spread of your home's exterior and interior can get more prospective buyers through the door.

· Extra Incentives Some eager sellers sweeten the deal by offering incentives to buyers. These won't make or break the sale, but can give hesitant buyers a little push.

· Sell before Buying: The moment your home goes on the market, you might be tempted to bounce around online looking at homes on the web. Next thing you know, you'll want to make an appointment to view a few homes. Don't get carried away by virtual tours and beautiful photographs of your dream home. It is almost always more profitable to sell before buying.

· Plan your move: The time to plan your move begins once you've decided to sell your home. Some of the activities required to sell the home can actually help with the moving process. For example, cleaning out closets, basements and attics means there will be less to do once the home is under contract.

· Tax implications: Check with your tax consultant on the factors that may affect taxes resulting from the sale of your home.