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 HOME
BUYING TIPS [
HOME SELLING TIPS ] |
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Choose an experienced Realtor with a
proven record of success. |
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— Your Realtor should have recent sales in the areas
you are considering.
— Your Realtor should be able to explain agency disclosure laws and
offer to represent you as a 'Buyer Agent' to negotiate strongly on
your behalf.
— Your Realtor should have access to all area home listings using
the latest real estate technology. |
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Prequalify with a reputable lender, and shop for
homes in your price range. |
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Prioritize those things you want and need in a home. |
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Specify your preferred location, neighborhoods, shopping
and school districts. |
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Identify the size, style, lot preference, and amenities
you desire. |
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Itemize those features and amenities that you consider
a necessity versus those on which you may be willing to compromise. |
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Whenever possible, visit homes when the owners are
not present. You will feel more comfortable, you can openly discuss
your thoughts, and you will gain a negotiating advantage. |
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As you view homes, take detailed notes and ask for
or take pictures that may be referenced later during the final selection
process. Don't be influenced by cosmetic features. |
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Visit the neighborhood of interest at different times
of the day. |
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Talk with your prospective neighbors. |
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Try your commute to work from that location. |
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Feel confident that this is the right place for you. |
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Ask your Realtor where you may research area development
plans that may impact the future value of your home. |
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When making an offer, ask for more than you expect,
and be willing to compromise on items of least importance. |
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Your sale offer should be contingent upon a home
inspection performed by a certified professional home inspector. |
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Always carry your Realtor's cards with you. You never
know where or when you will find your dream home! |
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HOME
SELLING TIPS[
HOME BUYING TIPS ] |
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Today's buyers are looking for 'light
and bright' in a new home. Opening the drapes and turning on the
lights will make your home's interior look and feel larger. Using
extra bright bulbs will enhance the spaciousness. |
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Add a fresh coat of interior paint,
or if you just recently painted, touch it up. |
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Keep the kitchen neat and clean.
Take as much off the countertops as possible - store in the cupboards.
This will make your kitchen seem spacious. |
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Bathrooms are very important.
Keep these areas spotless, and store all your personal effects in
the medicine cabinets and out of view. |
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Unclutter. Box up and store those
items that are not needed for a few months. Rent a storage unit if
necessary, and remember, you will be packing to move anyway! |
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Try to leave whenever the house is
being shown, even if only for a short walk. Buyers feel more comfortable
when the owners are not there, and they will spend the time necessary
to get acquainted with a house and fully appreciate its features. |
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Create an appealing atmosphere.
Leave ceiling fans on, use potpouri or bake bread. In the wintertime,
have a fire crackling in the fireplace. Add to the ambiance with low
volume classical music or light jazz. Adjust the temperature - cool
in summer and warm in winter. Remember, you won't get a second chance
to make a good first impression. |
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Neutralize your home. Over time,
our homes naturally become an expression of ourselves. To make a house
more appealing to prospective buyers, your home should be depersonalized
so that those buyers can imagine themselves living there. Unclutter,
remove family photos and other personal effects - these things can
destroy that illusion. |
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Offer the home that buyers can't
refuse. View the sale of your home from a business standpoint
- make it appealling, package it right, market to the right people,
and don't take anything personnally. This will get you the best return
on your investment. |
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Your home may not be brand new, but the
more it resembles a new home,
the closer you will get to full list price!
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