Selling Your Home

There are 3 important aspects with regards to preparing your Home for the market, Staging, Curb Appeal and Preparing for Home Inspections. Not only does your Property and Home need to appeal to Potential buyers, it also needs to meet the requirements of a Certified Building Inspector as this is often a condition within many offers.

1. Staging: The Grime Team provides you with a Home Stager who will work with you to assist in preparing your home for the Market. The Staging process will begin with a member of our Staging Teams consulting with you and providing a list of recommendations to follow. These recommendations will allow you to enhance your property and maximize your return. See Staging Section for a full overview and video.
2. Curb Appeal: This is the First Impression that a potential buyer will have of your property. They need to like the outside Too!! See the Curb appeal section for additional information.
3. Home Inspection: Typically a Home inspection is a condition in an offer and is paid for by the Buyer once the offer is conditionally accepted. Inspections are approximately 2-3 hours in length and the potential buyer, along with their agent will accompany the Inspector to the property. They pay close attention to present and potential concerns and issues that may cost money or problems now or in the near future. Preparing for this inspection by repairing and rectifying issues ahead of time may require a bit of work on your part, but it will be worth it in the end to give home inspectors and potential Buyers the best impression.

Choosing The Right Sales Representative

Selling a home can be an exciting process. Here is how to choose the right Sales Representative for you:

A. Ask for Recommendations

1. People who have recently sold a home in your area.
2. The manager at a local Real Estate office.
   He/she can recommend a sales representative who has experience in your type of property and community.

B. Narrow Your Search

1. Do you trust the individual?
2. Could you have a solid working relationship with the individual?
   Note: You'll be working intimately with the sales representative/team through the duration of your home's sale.
3. Does the individual make you feel comfortable?

C. Ask the Sales Representative Questions

1. Where is the sales representative's primary market concentration?
2. What is the average price range?
3. What services does the sales representative provide for his/her fee?
   Sales Representatives with higher fees may offer more selling mediums, resulting in a higher selling price.
4. How would he/she establish the price and promote your home?
   Each sales representative would execute the sale differently. What promotional tools are relied on?
5. Is the sales representative a member of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service)?
   Did the Sales Representative ask you to compile an information sheet, featuring your home's strongest selling points? A top sales representative will, for it creates the most accurate platform to write an eye-catching, attractive listing description that will aid in the sale of your home.

D. After the sales representative Has Visited Your Home, Visit His/Her Office

1. Is the office professional, attractive, and well-organized?
2. Does it offer accessibility to meet your specific needs?

E. At the Conclusion of the Interviewing Process

REMEMBER: This is your home--you make the final decision!

Simple Home Improvements that will help you clean up

It simply makes sense to clean up both the interior and exterior of your home before listing it for sale. But that doesn't mean you have to undertake major home renovation projects on order to sell your home. With a little effort you can increase the perceived value of your home by a great margin.

Here are some simple things to keep in mind that you can do to increase the perceived value of your home and make the perfect first impression.

Exterior of Home

• Keep lawns cut
• Trim hedges and bushes
• Weed and edge gardens
• Clear driveway and clean stains
• Clean out garage
• Power wash home exterior
• Touch up paint
• Plant colorful flowers

At The Front Door

• Clean porch and foyer
• Ensure door bell works
• Repair any broken screens
• Fresh paint or varnish front door
• Repair any damages to the door and/or locks

Setting the Right Mood

• Make sure your home smells fresh and clean
• Turn on lights
• Turn on air conditioner/heater
• Open the drapes
• Light the fireplace

Maximize Open Space

• Clear halls and stairs of clutter
• Clear kitchen counter and stove top
• Clear closets of unnecessary items
• Remove empty boxes and storage
• Put away personal photos so buyers can envision the house as theirs

Maintenance

• Repair leaking taps and toilets
• Clean furnace and filters
• Tighten door knobs and latches
• Repair cracked plaster
• Apply fresh coat of pain or touch up where necessary
• Clean and repair windows

• Repair seals around tubs and basins
• Replace defective light bulbs
• Oil squeaking doors
• Repair squeaking floor boards

Squeaky Clean

• Clean and freshen bathrooms
• Clean fridge and stove
• Clean around heating vents
• Clean washer and dryer
• Clean carpets, drapes and window blinds
• Eliminate pet odors and stains

Closing the Sale

Closing is a time of packing and organization. Be sure you do not pack anything that you agreed to sell! Unless you specifically mentioned certain fixtures, everything must remain in place.

You are responsible for handing over the home in the same condition it was at the time of closing. This applies to everything that was in the agreement. If the home suffers a major disaster, you are responsible for telling the buyer, at which point the buyer may walk away from the deal and have the deposit returned. The buyer may also choose to close and receive any insurance proceeds. In this unfortunate event, remember not to make any repairs until you find out what the buyer wants to do.

The Closing