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Overview:

A Contract for Sale

It is the responsibility of an agent to present an offer when asked to do so.  Regardless of the terms of the offer, an agent cannot refuse to present it.  You, as the owner, can certainly reject what you consider to be a low offer but please remember that a rejected offer has no chance of working.  I have worked numerous offers that have appeared laughable at first glance, but through negotiation, have resulted in successful sales!  We understand that your home is a major financial asset and is very important to you.  Please do not be insulted or angered by any offer.  Treat each one—no matter what the terms—as a potential sale.

Residential Service Contracts

I will give you brochures on the home warranty plans available through different companies.  They are an option you may want to consider in the marketing of your home. Neither MASTER REALTORS nor I are involved with any of the service contract companies and receive no fee or compensation should you elect to purchase one.  A home service contract is a small protection plan for the buyer and seller, and it covers many of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in your home for one year following the sale.


Sellers Disclosure Statement

It is mandatory that homeowners provide a Seller’s Disclosure Statement.  We are now in an era where the law requires full disclosure of items that could affect a buyer’s decision to purchase a home.  Simply said, if it’s broken and you know it, then it must be disclosed to the buyer and all questions must be answered truthfully.  We will provide you with a blank Owner’s Disclosure Statement which must be completed and signed by you, the seller, and furnished to prospective buyers.  The form must be updated should changes arise throughout the listing period.

Inspections and Repairs

The standard sales contract makes no provision for repair amounts.  We feel that it is imperative that you have your home inspected by a licensed home inspector as soon as possible and have all repairs made.  By having this done, your home will sell faster and the chance of a failed contract is greatly reduced.

Your Role

The marketing of your home is a team effort!  We will be working together until the finalization of the sale—and your role is extremely important.  Please be sure you do all you can to keep your home looking good and in top condition throughout the marketing period.


Answers to frequently asked questions


What is title insurance?

Title insurance protects the named insured (the home owner) against loss because of liens, encumbrances, adverse claims or other matters relating to their ownership of the property.  Title insurance protects against items that were not shown, found or disclosed to property owners before they purchased their home.  The title insurance policy is issued by the title company, and is usually paid for by the Seller, although the policy will be protecting the buyer.


What is a wood-destroying insect inspection report?

A wood-destroying insect report is a written opinion by a
qualified state licensed
structural pest inspector based upon what was visible and evident at the time of the
inspection. The inspection
report does not, in any way, represent or guarantee the
structure to be free from
wood-destroying organisms or their damage, nor does it represent or guarantee that the total damage or
infestation is limited to that disclosed in the report. 

What are the hazards of lead-based paint?

All buyers are required by law to receive and read a
pamphlet outlining the
hazards of lead-based paint for homes built before 1978.  This pamphlet explains the dangers of lead paint. 
Additionally, for all homes that were built before 1978,
sellers are required to complete a lead paint disclosure form.

What are closing costs?

Closing costs are an
accumulation of charges paid to different entities associated with the buying and selling of real estate. For sellers, they can range from approximately 8-10% of the total sales price of a property. Some of the closing costs you might
encounter are: discount points, escrow fee,
documentation fee,
homeowners’ association fees, real estate commissions,
recording fees, document
delivery, survey, home service contracts, and title insurance premium.


What is the difference between “pre-qualified” and “pre-approved”?

If a buyer is “pre-qualified” it has been determined, through a loan officer at a lending
institution, what price a buyer can afford and the lender will loan to that buyer based on the buyer’s personal financial
factors.  Being “pre-qualified” is only a determination of
probable loan approval. If a buyer is “pre-approved”, then the buyer’s credit has been verified by the lender, and the lender is ready to make a loan for the buyer’s home purchase once the buyer finds a home that meets the lender’s
requirements.



What is a home inspection?

Buyers will have a home inspected once they have entered into an executed
contract with the seller.  The inspection will be paid for by the buyer.  Inspections should
point out items that are not functioning properly and items in need of repair.  A licensed inspector should perform
inspections and all inspection reports should include, but not be limited to, an evaluation of the following:

1.Foundations
2.Roof
3.Heating and air  conditioning  systems
4.Plumbing
5.Electrical system
6.Ventilation
7.Ceiling, walls and floors
8.Doors and windows
9.Kitchen appliances




While Your Home is Being Shown to Prospective Buyers:

Before Your House Is Shown:
Open shades, curtains, and blinds throughout the home during the day to let in light.

Turn on enough lights so home is well-lit during showings.

At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting.

Tidy all the rooms. Neatness makes a room easier to view.  Be sure everything throughout the home is clean.

Clean dirty dishes in the sink and put away any dishes on counter.

Keep toys in the children’s rooms.

Put away items in the yard such as bicycles, gardening tools and skateboards.

While Your House Is Being Shown:

When possible, leave your home while it is being shown. If you cannot leave, wait outside if possible.  If you have to be in the home while a prospective buyer is there, don’t follow them from room to room.  Buyers will be more comfortable looking if you are not in the room with them.

Let the real estate expert show your house.
Answer questions honestly and candidly when asked, but avoid questioning potential buyers.

Refer inquiries about seeing your house to your realtor to take advantage of the agent’s professional skills in selling your home.

It is best to be away when your agent is holding an open house at your home.

Keep pets outdoors or in one area such as the garage or utility room or in their cage.

Keep children quiet and in one area.

Keep radio, stereo and TV on low volume.

Always store money, jewelry, and other small valuable items, securely and out of sight.

Remember there may be children with some potential buyers who see your home.  Children sometimes want to pick up and play with items they can reach.


Preparing for Showings

The most important thing you can do is keep your home clean and neat.  It will also help if you can be flexible enough to allow showing appointments at all reasonable times. 

Showing Service Agency

Our office uses an appointment  service called Centralized Showing Systems (CSS).  When agents want to set an appointment to show your home, they will call the CSS office.  An operator will set their appointment and will notify both you and our office that the
appointment has been set.  CSS will follow our instructions for giving notice of appointments, and they will tell realtors who call the
showing instructions we have given them.  If there are special time restrictions or instructions about pets or alarm codes, etc., you will need to let me know those things so that I can instruct CSS accordingly.  Usually it is best that we ask CSS to call you at home and notify you of requested appointment times, and then if you don’t answer when CSS calls, allow CSS to approve the appointment within the allowed time frame.

Electronic Keyboxes

The keybox is a most effective marketing tool and is utilized to make your home easily accessible to agents and potential buyers. In today’s market when buyers have many options it is essential to have your home as easily
available to show as possible.
A keybox provides controlled access to your home.  Specific showing instructions you have requested will be related. You will be notified of
showings and/or preview appointments set by our office or by other
realtors. Once the appointment is made, the agent can then use his personal identification ‘card’ to open the keybox at your property.  The
electronic keybox system has proven to be very secure because it is
computer-controlled and automatically records data about  who enters the home, at what time, and on what day. Your home security codes, if any, will be recorded inside the keybox with your keys or given to the Centralized Showing Service.
There may also be times when an agent will want to see your home with very little advance notice.  Because most agents have mobile phones they may call for an appointment while sitting in front of your property.  If you are not home, the showing may be accomplished immediately through the use of the keybox.  If you are at home, this may be inconvenient—but please weigh the inconvenience with the importance of a buyer seeing the house.  Of course, you have the right to ask for a few minutes to tidy up, finish dinner, etc.  Chances are the agent can spend a few minutes seeing another house or driving around the area so that the potential buyer won’t miss seeing your home that day.  The electronic key boxes do not allow agents to enter homes before 9:00 AM or after 9:00 PM.

Security

Real estate agents are guests in the homes they show, and have a responsibility to care for the safety of those homes.  We endeavor to secure all property carefully and leave it as it was when we arrived, and we respectfully ask your cooperation in the following:  Please keep money, jewelry, cameras and all other small valuables out of sight.  Let us know when pets should be kept in a certain room or not allowed to come in.  Please don’t assume that agents will know how you like your home to be kept.  If needed, simply place a note to agents in a prominent place stating things like “please do not let the dog go outside.”

Communication

Please never hesitate to call me with any questions throughout the process of marketing and selling your home.  I am here to answer all of your questions at any time, and to do all that I can to sell you home for the best possible price.  I will endeavor to make the process as smooth and easy for you as possible.

Please Email Me the Complete Sellers Guide Booklet!
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