Seller Reports
Tips for Sellers in Oxford
Why use a Selling Agent
Often times people feel that they can sell their own house and have the idea that all we do as agents is stick a sign in the ground and unlock the door. Well, the reality is very different. Every day we are looking at what has sold, why these homes have sold, what people are looking for when they purchase – all of which gives us insight as to the value of property in our market. It is this information that we then apply to you and your home. When we come in as a team, we have very different tasks. One of us really studies the homes that have sold around your area, the different pros and cons of your house, the number of beds and baths, and the location. The other looks around and the house and tells you what is needed in order to get the house in tip top condition. This might include: a thorough cleaning job, touch up paint, cleaning up the clutter and even a little decorating. Of course the final decision is up to the seller but these areas reflect skills that we have acquired and tweaked over the years which have enhanced the attractiveness of other properties and have served to expedite sales. Through a through discussion of all of the above factors, we work with you to establish a selling price for your home that reflects its market value.
Marketing
With technology improving and evolving all the time, it is important that we stay ahead of the curve. Here we use numerous tools that allow us to have your house to stand out among hundreds of listings. We use websites such as, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Cannon | Cleary, and MLS that provide viewers with the most up to date information and virtual tours. Although many of you are familiar with some of these websites, the MLS (multiple listing service) might be a little more unfamiliar. This is a website that allows other agents to view all of the pertinent information regarding your home. This material is instrumental in matching the needs of buyers with available property and is invaluable to the goal of getting deals consummated. Without putting your home on this site many agents will never know that you are willing and able to sell your home. Along with technology, we still provide information to those who are not as technology oriented. We use Invitation Oxford, The Real Estate Guide, and flyers to give you property additional exposure by providing information about your home, numerous pictures of the inside as well as the price.
Taking the guess work out
Finally after agreeing to a listing price and getting your home in prime condition to be shown, the hard work is done for you and we go to work on your behalf. At this point other agents will call us with any questions they may have regarding your property and will also communicate with other agents in our company. Cannon | Cleary has an advantage over most other firms, in that we provide a full time secretary to set up all appointments and we always have an agent on duty to answer any questions that may come up. After a scheduled showing is complete, we contact the showing agent and ask for any feedback, positive or negative. This information allows us to gauge your house in the market, so that over time we can better understand what, if any, things we need to recommend to you in order to increase the appeal to potential buyers. When an agent brings a potential buyer, they contact us to get a sellers disclosure statement that you have prepared. This statement provides a opportunity to disclose to the purchaser the history of the house, including any problems you have had while owning it. Finally, if the potential buyer wants to make an offer, we contact you and assist you in any negotiations that may arise. Often times this is an emotional period for both the buyer and the seller and it is a relief to have a liaison who can act as a buffer between you and the buyer. We know the ins and outs of the contracts and it is our job to make sure you are fully represented. Often times this process can go through several iterations, and each time one party changes the contract the original is considered null and void. When both parties come to an agreement they sign a final contract and typically close within 30 days.
How to stage your house for success
Besides pricing your house it is extremely imperative that the house itself is in excellent showing condition. When people are touring the home, they are not always able to see past little things. Cleaning the house is the first step, whether you hire someone or deep clean yourself this must be done before the house even hits the market. The baseboards need to be washed down and possibly painted, grout needs to be scrubbed, windows and carpets cleaned. Tidiness is also key. The beds need to be made, dishes put away, and all clothes folded neatly. It is important to realize that this is not just something that is done for the listing but rather something that is ongoing because you never really know when you might get a call with another agent wanting to show the property. When the cleaning is complete then it is a good idea to remove any clutter from the house. Any items that are not necessary need to be moved into storage or at least out of sight; this visually makes the rooms look much larger.
The exterior of the house needs to be nicely manicured, this is the first thing a prospective buyer sees. When your house is listed it might be beneficial to have a lawn care company service your house quite frequently. The bushes need to be trimmed the drive needs to be blown off, and any debris needs to be removed. If possible, it would be great to have annuals planted to really allow people to feel a sense of welcome. The key to knowing what to do is really thinking about what made you purchase the house when you went through the process. At this time you are ready to list your house.