For the Seller, I...

• Perform a comprehensive computerized market/price trend analysis to determine the best LISTING price based on CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS
• Place a For Sale sign on the property to generate public interest
• Enroll the home in the MLS service with multiple photos
• List the home on www.bettywalls.com with multiple photos
• Install a lockbox for easier and faster showings
• Monitor listing and sales activities to keep competitive with changing market conditions
• Analyze alternative financing plans
• Prepare a home booklet with school, neighborhood information, etc
• Contact the top 50 selling agents to increase awareness of your home
• Notify 50 neighbors that the home is on the market to see if they have someone interested in the neighborhood
• Mail a flyer to 50 of your friends, family and co-workers whose names and addresses you provide
• Offer experience in VA Compromise loans
• Provide a video or CD "Preparing for the Buyer's Eye" (a $29.95 value)
• Offer free staging advice and service (limited) to help get the best price in the least time. More detailed staging services require the services of an Accredited Staging Professional (ASPM)

The 5 Dumbest Mistakes Smart People Make When Selling A Home

#1: Basing their asking price on needs and emotions rather than market value. Many times, people make their pricing decisions based on how much they have invested into their home Or what they feel they need to make their move. THIS CAN BE A COSTLY MISTAKE. Overpriced homes take longer to sell and eventually net the seller less money.

#2: Failing to "Stage" their home. First impressions are the most important. Experience shows that for every $100 in repairs that your home needs, a buyer will deduct $300-$500 from their offer. Thoroughly clean and prepare your home before you put it on the market.

#3: Signing a listing contract with no way out. Most traditional real estate agents want you to sign a listing contract with no way out. When you list your home with me, you can cancel your listing agreement at any time, depending on the circumstances.

#4: Choosing the wrong agent or choosing them for the wrong reasons. many homeowners list their home with the agent who tells them the highest price. Or they list with the agent who works for the biggest company. You need to choose the agent you are most comfortable with who had the most experience in real estate

#5: Not knowing all of their legal rights and obligations. Real estate law is complex. The contract that you will sign when listing/selling your home is legally binding. Small items that are neglected in a contract can wind up costing you thousands of dollars. You need to consult a knowledgeable, professional who understand the in's and out's or real estate transactions.

Get More Money for Your Home

MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION-keep the lawn trimmed and edged or snow and ice removed from the sidewalks and steps

WELCOME PROSPECTIVE BUYERS with a clean and painted front door-a seasonal door decoration adds warmth

ASSURE A QUICK SALE AND TOP DOLLAR BY DECORATING-faded walls, worn and scratched woodwork reduce appeal

SHOW THE BRIGHT SIDE OF YOUR HOME-open draperies and blinds

ENTICE BUYERS WITH A CLEAN KITCHEN-many judge the housekeeping by the oven and the stove. Clean them until they shine

CLEAN YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS-pack away items not needed. Baking soda is good for removing stains on Formica and it will not mar the finish

SELL YOUR HOME WITH SPARKLING BATHROOMS-repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Shower door, ceramic tile and grouting should be clean and free of soap film. Fixtures should be polished and free of water marks

AVOID CLUTTERED APPEARANCES-remove excess furniture and other items that you seldom use. Clean stairways are essential and safer

MAKE CLOSETS LOOK LARGER-remove items that can be stored elsewhere (not in the house or garage). Neat, well organized closets show ample space

DISPLAY THE FULL VALUE OF LAUNDRY-remove all unnecessary articles. Brighten dark, dull walls with a lighter coat of paint

CHECK MAJOR APPLIANCES-Change the filter on the furnace. Correct noisy attic or appliance fans with a little oil. Clean the exterior of the water heater, furnace and other appliances that will be seen by prospective buyers

FIX MINOR FLAWS IN YOUR HOUSE-they suggest neglect to the prospect

HAVE AS FEW PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE IN THE HOUSE WHEN IT IS SHOWN-none is best and if someone has to be there they should not be talking on the phone, listening to the radio or TV. House should be quite or have easy listening music playing softly

LET YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT DO THE TALKING

BE POLITE, BUT DO NOT STRIKE UP ANY CONVERSATION WITH PROSPECTIVE BUYERS-give them a chance to clearly absorb the advantages of the property

TURN ON THE PORCH LIGHT WHEN SHOWING THE HOUSE AFTER DARK

SELL THE HOUSE FIRST-do not try to sell the buyer any furniture, rugs or drapes in the house at this time.

The Market Value of Your Home

The Market Value of your home IS NOT...

• What you have in it
• What you need out of it
• What you want
• What it appraises for
• What you heard your neighbor's house sold for
• What the tax office says it is worth
• Based on memories and treasures
• Based on prices of homes where you are moving

The Market Value of your home IS WHAT A BUYER IS WILLING TO PAY FOR THE PROPERTY...

• Based on today's market
• Based on today's competition
• Based on today's financing
• Based on today's economic condition
• Based on location
• Based on normal marketing time

In today's market, on a scale of 1 to 10, the "10's" are the ones that are selling. you can help make you home a "10" if you:

• Improve the condition dramatically
• Offer good terms
• Improve the way the home shows
• Adjust the price

As you advance through your marketing period, you may observe some warning signs that your home is not appealing to agents or buyers in your area:

• If the agents are not previewing it or if they preview but do not show it
• If it is being shown with no offers being made

In either case, the buyers are finding better properties to buy, which indicates that your home is not priced competitively in the current market.

REMEMBER: Price Overcomes All Objections

What an Appraiser Looks For

Exterior:

1. Type and condition of roof
2. Condition of trim, soffit and fascia
3. Type of exterior siding and condition
4. Types of windows and if there are storm windows
5. Types of porches and condition
6. Types of garages and condition
7. Landscaping, driveways, walks
8. Condition of surrounding properties and general price range
9. What public utilities serve the property
10. Make-up of neighborhood: Commercial, industrial, agricultural. How does this property fit with the others
11. Measurements of exterior, type of house, how many stories

Interior:

1. Detailed notes on number of rooms, type of floors, walls, ceilings and condition
2. Square footage
3. Wall outlets in each room
4. Baths: runs the sink faucet and flushes the commodes, checks for water pressure. Type of floor and walls around the tub/shower
5. Handrails on stairwells
6. Condition of kitchen, type of cabinets, appliances
7. Number of bedrooms, closets in bedrooms, condition
8. Is there an attic, is it floored, is it insulated
9. Attic: is there evidence on the ceiling of water leakage from the roof
10. Type of insulation in the house: walls and roof

Basement:

1. Types of walls and floors
2. Type of sub floor
3. Condition of floor joists...is there dry rot
4. Type of wiring-fuses or circuit breakers 220 or 115 volts-a min. of 60 amps required
5. Type of water heater, size and condition
6. Type of water lines: copper, galvanized, plastic
7. Type of heating system and condition
8. Type of air conditioning and condition
9. Evidence of water leaking into basement; check walls for dampness
10. Is there a floor drain or sump pump
11. Is there an outside entrance
12. Does the property have a well; is it outside the preimeter of the house, what type of well-dug or drilled, etc. Type of pump and how far away from the septic system, if any
13. If the property is served by septic system, how large is the tank, type of tank, how many leech lines are there and size, when was it last cleaned
14. Check for asbestos

Miscellaneous:

1. If on a well and/or septic, most lenders require a water purity test and septic test
2. Appraisers will use three comps of sales within the last 6 months, if available, of similar size properties in the same or like neighborhoods
3. Appraiser will look at the overall marketability of this house for resale, under normal marketing conditions
4. Need to know flood certification issues.

Free CMA/Price Trend Analysis

To get the current market value of your home, just email me. with your contact information and address of property to be priced. You will receive an email report within a short period.