Seller Info

Before trying to sell your home, make it a home people will want to buy. 

Unless your prospective buyers are looking for a “fixer-upper” (which translates to a lower selling price), you’ll want to assess the wear and tear on your property and address flaws that can lower your home’s appeal and sales value. 

Take a good look around to determine where your current home needs improvement. Some fixes are mainly cosmetic and you may be able to them handle on your own; fresh paint, sprucing up the lawn, updating lighting, replacing doorknobs, and the like. 

Other problems are more significant and may require item replacement and/or hiring home maintenance professionals. Issues concerning heating, plumbing, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC system), mold, water damage, wood rot, the water heater, gutters, foundation, or roof can all be deal-breakers if left unaddressed. 

Once you’ve taken stock of it all, tackle what matters most. Be smart. This initial investment of time and money can help generate a faster sale at a higher price.

Setting the right price for your property is a delicate balancing act. Aim too high and your home might sit on the market for months, and possibly not sell at all. Price it too low and you miss the potential for a more lucrative outcome. 

Get a comparative market analysis (CMA) 

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a document, drawn from a local Multiple Listings Service (MLS) database, that presents pricing information, property details and photos of homes similar to yours (termed “comps”) that recently sold, failed to sell, or are currently on the market in your area.

Lyle & Grace Caddell will typically provide you with a CMA as part of a listing presentation they deliver at your home in hopes of being able to exclusively represent your interests when you sell. This CMA will include the price or price range Lyle & Grace Caddell suggests for your listing. 
Generally, studying what has worked in your area – and what hasn’t – will help you to strategically price, position, and present your property to sell for top dollar in a reasonable time frame, with the least inconvenience for you. 

Allow room to negotiate 

Adding a bit of a cushion to your asking price is a wise move. Most buyers will want to engage in some wheeling and dealing, so set your sale price to allow for this. Lyle & Grace Caddell can help you determine the amount of wiggle room. Another way to help seal the deal is offering to cover closing costs while sticking to a higher asking price.

Real estate industry surveys have repeatedly found that neighborhood quality is the most important reason why home buyers choose where to live. In fact, experience shows that buyers usually “buy” an area first, and are often willing to pay a premium for homes there. 
Therefore, it’s crucial to highlight your community’s amenities – like proximity to quality schools, restaurants, and shopping, local parks, and attractions, as well as other benefits that impact lifestyle. Lyle & Grace Caddell have access to the kinds of detailed community and school information that buyers want and is skilled at presenting the relationship between your community and home together. 

If you’ve painted in neutral tones, add touches of color with accessories 

• Place fresh flowers where they’ll stand out 
• Open all doors and windows beforehand to circulate fresh air 
• Pick up toys, remove all clutter, ensure beds are made, put clothes away 
• Floors should be clean, carpets and rugs vacuumed 
• Trash and recycling bins should be tidy and odor-free 
• The kitchen and bathrooms should sparkle 
• If possible, bake cookies or put a pan of cinnamon in the oven to create a warm and inviting aroma 
• Ideally, pets should be unseen. Pet areas should be clean and odor-free. Not everyone may share your love of animals, and some may be allergic to them 
• Remove all cash, jewelry and small valuables from view

If you and your buyer have both efficiently taken care of your respective contractual obligations associated with finalizing the sale, the process of completing the transaction will go smoothly with no surprises. 

A pending sales agreement generally includes contingencies and special conditions that must be fulfilled by the buyer and seller by the closing date, which usually falls 30 to 60 days after both have signed the agreement. 

Common contingencies and conditions: 

• The buyer’s securing of financing 
• A Title Search – a historical review of all legal documents relating to ownership of the property to ensure that there are no claims against the title of the property.
• The purchasing of Title Insurance in case the records contain errors or there are mistakes in the review process.
• A professional appraisal of the home, requested by the lender to ensure that the home’s actual value justifies the loan amount.
• Any additional contractual promises you have made in connection with buyer incentives, home improvements, etc. 
• An independent inspection of the home’s structural and functional condition (foundation, roof, electrical, heating, plumbing, etc.) 
• An independent termite inspection.
• A final walk-through by the buyer to verify that the home is in the same condition as when the sale agreement was signed.

Carefully review the sales agreement with Lyle & Grace Caddell to have a clear understanding of your obligations. Any shortfalls or mistakes at this point can be costly.