Stan Gillies blog

Make sure your home is easy to show!

To get your home sold quickly, it’s important that other agents in the area show it to as many potential buyers as possible. The first thing a good agent will do when working with buyers is talk to the buyer and learn what kind of home they are looking for. Then the agent will search all the available homes for those most closely matching what the buyer wants. Next, the agent puts together a list of the best matches to go show to the buyer. When a busy agent is compiling a list of homes to show a buyer, the agent will naturally tend to show those houses that are easiest to gain access to first. Many homes on the market have “lock boxes” on them. The lock box is a device which holds a key to the home, that only qualified local agents can access. Homes that are listed as being “lock box, no appointment needed” will get shown more often than homes listed as “agent has key, call for appointment”. If at all possible, you should let your agent put a lock box on your home for easier showing.

If you can’t do a lock box, you need to be sure that you make it as convenient and easy as possible for other agents to show your home. If they call, do whatever you have to do to accommodate letting them show your home to buyers on their schedule. If you don’t, the agent will probably show the buyer other homes, and if that buyer makes an offer on one of them, you’ve just lost a great opportunity.

It’s best if you can leave when the agent and buyer arrive to see your home. Buyers won’t feel comfortable with you there, and it could sour an otherwise good impression.

Make sure your home is easy to show!

To get your home sold quickly, it’s important that other agents in the Lake Martin Association Realtor's area show it to as many potential buyers as possible. The first thing a good agent will do when working with buyers is talk to the buyer and learn what kind of home they are looking for. Then the agent will search all the available homes for those most closely matching what the buyer wants. Next, the agent puts together a list of the best matches to go show to the buyer. When a busy agent is compiling a list of homes to show a buyer, the agent will naturally tend to show those houses that are easiest to gain access to first. Many homes on the market have “lock boxes” on them. The lock box is a device which holds a key to the home, that only qualified local agents can access. Homes that are listed as being “lock box, will get shown more often than homes listed as “agent has key. If at all possible, you should let your agent put a lock box on your home for easier showing. Most agents in the local (Lake Martin MLS) Multiple Listing Service ask for a least 24 hours to show homes. Allowing the agent to make appointment for showing.

Always make it as convenient and easy as possible for other agents to show your home. If they call, do whatever you have to do to accommodate letting them show your home to buyers on their schedule. Keeping your home in a always ready appearance will make it easy to allow agents to show your home If you don’t, the agent will probably show the buyer other homes, and if that buyer makes an offer on one of them, you’ve just lost a great opportunity.

It’s best if you can leave when the agent and buyer arrive to see your home. Buyers won’t feel comfortable with you there, and it could sour an otherwise good impression

Keep your agents informed when you will be away for long periods of time and you home in showing condition.

Why you should get an Inspection

Whether you are buying or selling a home, you should have a professional home inspection performed.

A home inspection will look at the systems that make up the building such as:

• Structural elements, foundation, framing etc
• Plumbing systems
• Roofing
• Electrical systems
• Cosmetic condition, paint, siding etc

If you are buying a home, you need to know exactly what you are getting. A home inspection, performed by a professional home inspector, will reveal any hidden problems with the home so that they may be addressed BEFORE the deal is closed. You should require an inspection at the time you make a formal offer. Make sure the contract has an inspection contingency. Then, hire your own inspector and pay close attention to the inspection report. If you aren't comfortable with what he finds, you should kill the deal.

Likewise, if you are selling a home, you want to know about such potential hidden problems before your house goes on the market. Almost all contracts include the condition that the contract is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory inspection. And most buyer's are going to insist that the inspection be a professional home inspection, usually by an inspector they hire. If the buyer's inspector finds a problem, it can cause the buyer to get cold feet and the deal can often fall through. At best, surprise problems uncovered by the buyer's inspector will cause delays in closing, and usually you will have to pay for repairs at the last minute, or take a lower price on your home.

It's better to pay for your own inspection before putting your home on the market. Find out about any hidden problems and correct them in advance. Otherwise, you can count on the buyer's inspector finding them, at the worst possible time.

Curb Appeal Checklist

All homes should have great curb appeal. This curb appeal list will include additional items when you live on a lake or a golf course such as Lake Martin or the many golf courses around the area.  These homes have two fronts. The front facing the street and the front facing the lake or golf course.

• Inspect the outside ground. Remove any building materials, scrap wood, discarded household items, etc. from the property. Store garbage cans in the garage.
• Check the home from the roof line down.
  • Is the roof free and clear from obstructions and moss?
  • Are the gutters clear and neatly hung?
  • Are the windows clean and free from obstructions (such as overgrown bushes or trees)?
  • Are bushes, trees and shrubs neatly pruned?
• Inspect the condition of the paint or siding?
  • Is it time to power wash the siding?
  • Is touch up paint needed?
  • Is the front door in good shape?
• Do flower beds need an upgrade?
  • Are plants neatly pruned?
  • Is the bed free and clear of weeds?
  • Is the bed properly mulched?
  • Are flowers in bloom?
• Keep the lawn neatly groomed.
  • Is the lawn free from weeds?
  • Is the lawn free from grass clippings?
  • Is the lawn neatly edged?
• Contact a agent at Gillies Realty for more information on curb appeal

As we start the new year with what seems to be optimism in the market. Buyers and sellers should be more confident in buying or selling a home.

First Sellers, there are still a lot of homes on the market in various stages of foreclosure. Either pre foreclosure, bank owned or the banks are trying to work with the owner until the home sells. There are also the seller who are selling for the normal reasons, relocation, larger or smaller home needs. For what ever reason for selling if you don't have to sell now wait to put your home on the market until the inventory is stabilized.

  Second Buyers, It is a buyers market. There are many great deals on the market now if your have the cash to buy the home or you are pre approved to purchase a home. Remember the homes are AS IS  and where is, can you afford those conditions. Working with buyers who are only looking for the greatest deal may not see those condition which may hurt their investment in the future. Is the home on the market at a reduced price because it would not sell at the normal price even in a good market.

Go to my web site www.gilliesrealty.com for information on buying and sell a home, also check out the other tips

Stan