"Seller's Checklist"

1. Find the right real estate representative.
The experience and knowledge of a dedicated real estate professional can be priceless. A good Realtor® forms a powerful team with his or her clients that makes it possible for them to have a smooth, successful, stress-free sale.

2. Determine your needs/wants for the sale and for your new home.
Selling your primary residence can be tricky because you have to simultaneously be thinking about where you would like to buy. First weigh your priorities – selling price is certainly important, but having a quick and efficient sale can often be worth accepting a slightly lower offer. Talk to your agent and make sure you’re comfortable with where your priorities are.

At the same time, you should be compiling a needs/wants list for the home you will buy. You will probably have to act fairly quickly when your house sells, so any amount of preparation you can do will serve you well.

3.  Gather your paperwork:  After you have selected your agent, gather these documents:

• Prior year's tax bill, utility bills, water and sewer bills;
• Declarations, covenents or deed restrictions on the property;
• Assessments, surveys and plats;
• Sales and repairs of major appliances and building components;
• Inspections for pests or environmental hazards;
• Lists of items to be included in or excluded from the sale.

4.  Get an appraisal.  You can have real estate agents prepare comparative market analyses, OR hire an independent certified appraiser.

5.  Price your home right!  One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is overpricing their homes.  This often can cause price reductions and in turrn, your home to stay on the market longer.  Remember. . . the house must appraise for a buyer who is buying with a loan.

6.  Consider a home inspection. . . before you put it on the market.  Of course this is not your responsibility, but it is a way to prevent potential problems and fix them before listing your home.  It is not a bad idea as well to have all repairs done.  Make it hard for a buyer to turn away such a great deal.

7. Prepare your house for showing.
Underprepared homes can be sales disasters. Your home will never get as much attention from potential buyers as when it is first listed, so clearing clutter, cleaning, making repairs, and putting your home’s best foot forward is essential. Don’t “open for business” until your home is ready to be seen as favorably as possible.

8.  Consider hiring someone to "stage" your home.  These are folks who spend a day making your home look appealing to buyers.

9.  While your home is on the market. . . keep it clean for showings, be able to leave during showings, and stay in touch with your agent.