Buyers and Sellers
Buyer Information
Buying a home is one of the major purchase decisions of your life; therefore, it's important to be an informed buyer. The following information will help you better understand the buying process and assist you in your efforts.
First, examine your lifestyle. Do you long for wide open pasturelands? Feel energized by urban cityscapes? Looking forward to a family-friendly suburban lifestyle? It's important to think of the limitations each locale places on your lifestyle and the perks each has to offer before making the commitment to buy.
Suburban lifestyles are flexible, offering children the opportunity to play outdoors and enjoy a neighborhood environment; urban areas offer greater social, culture, educational and career opportunities; rural environs offer privacy, room to roam and the ability to pursue hobbies — such as gardening — on a larger scale.
In addition to locale, it's important to think about the type of dwelling you're considering. Will you quickly outgrow that handsome city brownstone? Is a country cottage the perfect size? Will purchasing a condo allow you to forgo lawn and home maintenance and enjoy more leisure time?
Seller
Information
Selling your home
is a complex transaction that takes time, effort and expertise. It takes a real
estate professional – ME! As your agent, I will work for you and with you
throughout the home selling process. It is my job to help you sell your home
with minimum delay, and to help you realize every dollar its worth.
Here is a handy checklist, and mark each item off as you get your house ready to sell.
- Use "home wash" (a hose attachment that is available at any home improvement store) to clean the outside of the house.
- Clean rain gutters as well as outside windows and screens.
- Make sure the front door is inviting. Paint it if needed. Also, replace any outdated outdoor lighting fixtures.
- Buy new house numbers if the old ones are dated or faded. Be sure buyers can see the new ones from the curb.
- Buy a new Welcome mat (only if needed).
- Keep yard maintained; add new plants or colorful flowers to bare areas.
- Eliminate half of your belongings — clutter can cost in a sale. Rent a storage unit or portable pod for extraneous pieces of furniture or knickknacks. Another idea is to ask a friend if you can borrow some space in his or her garage. (Again, only if needed)
- Organize all closets and drawers. Buyers might look there.
- Make any necessary repairs so that buyers don't have to add that to their list of expenses. Remember, you do not want repairs going through the buyers mind as they view your home.
- Rearrange furniture to make rooms appear as large as possible.
- Make every surface shine, from ceiling fans to baseboards. Don't forget interior windows, mirrors, and floors.
- Scrub every inch of the kitchen and bathrooms.
- Depersonalize each room, removing photo frames and posters or artwork. ( Where feasible, do not stress about this one)
- Buy new linens and pillows if necessary. Be certain they are a neutral color.
- Clean walls or repaint if needed.
- Buy air neutralizer and spray it often.
Here is the hardest part. Let go emotionally of your home, and get ready for an offer!
