Before you consider selling your house on your own, ask yourself if you are going to have the time needed to show, negotiate and generate the documents to sell your house - even if you just cover the basics.  People do it.  And some succeed in getting a good deal.  But there is more entailed than just the basics.

         ** Feel free to contact us to simply discuss the market -- we are happy to assist you. **

The Basics

• Complete an extensive research of local market conditions, including:
  • the listing and selling price of all houses in your area for the last six months,
  • the listing price of houses currently on the market, and
  • the listing prices of houses that were on the market but did not sell.
    Tips: The Internet is a great place to get information; but with no guarantee of its accuracy. Follow-up by cross referencing through several sites to determine the selling prices in your market.

     

• Put together a marketing plan.
  • How will you market your house to Realtors? Most buyers use a Realtor, so marketing to Realtors is essential. At a minimum, you'll want to send a letter and sales flyer to all Realtors within a couple mile radius.
  • How much money can you afford to devote to advertising? Call the local newspapers to determine how much it will cost for advertisements. You'll want to run daily and Sunday ads in the newspapers.
  • Who will create your sales flyers? Buyers expect fact sheets to take with them when they drive-by or tour a house for sale.
  • Where will you place signage? In addition to your front yard, is there areas leading in to your neighborhood where signage would be appropriate?
  • How will potential buyers find information about your house on the Internet? You'll want potential buyers who begin their house shopping on the Internet to find your house. Be sure to build a website to help sell your house.
  • Who will take inquiry calls and schedule appointments? You'll want someone to be available to answer inquiry calls and schedule appointments. Be sure to schedule showings as quickly as possible - even the same day.
    Tips:  Be sure to check with local officials or a home owners association to determine if there are any restrictions on how you market your home.
    " Pre-qualify" buyers before showing your house.  There are some very unscrupulous characters out there who are just looking for places to burglarize.

     

• Confirm that the potential buyer has pre-qualified for a mortgage loan.
  • If the buyer is buying with cash, confirm that they have the necessary resources.
  • If the purchase is contingent on the buyer selling their own house, confirm that the buyer's house is on the market. (You may also want to determine how long the buyer's house has been on the market.)

     

• Negotiations, Contracts and Closings
  • Are you prepared to negotiate the contract?
  • Do you know what the legal responsibilities of the seller are in your area?
  • Who will write the contract? Will you need to hire an attorney? If so, what will be the attorney's fees?
    Tips: We live in litigious times.  In addition to the sales contract, you'll need to complete Seller's Disclosure and be aware of any state mandated upgrades, such as water heater bracing and smoke detectors, as these may become legal issues.