Home Fact Sheet

A fact sheet prepared for your home will prove to be one of the strongest marketing tools.  Fact sheets, sometimes referred to as home brochures, are usually attached in a weather case to the For Sale sign in the yard of the home.  You can also place them inside your home to give to buyers.  It is a good practice to pass out fact sheets at open houses and home showings. 

Upon seeing a home, buyers naturally have many questions about the home.  How big is it?  How many bedrooms and bathrooms are there?  What are the special features of the home?  These are the questions that you answer on your home fact sheet.

When you prepare a fact sheet for your home, you should include several key pieces of information:

• Total square footage of the home
• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Dimensions of the bedrooms, dining room, living room, and kitchen
• The names of local schools
• Your contact information
• The address of the home
• A color photograph of the home
• Dates and times of future showings

Since school information is subject to change, it is a good idea to mention this on the home fact sheet.  Place an asterisk (*) next to the heading for school information and reference the asterisk at the bottom of the fact sheet.  Simply say that school information is subject to change and the government can be contact for the most up to date information.

Surely, there is more to your home than the size and number of bedrooms and bathrooms.  Did you recently remodel the kitchen?  Add on a patio?  These facts are perfect for including in your fact sheet.  In fact, the fact sheet should include the facts about your for sale by owner home that make it saleable.

Don’t clutter the page with too much information.  It’s unlikely that every single thing about your home is a saleable fact.  Even so, the buyer isn’t likely to read the entire fact sheet if it is filled with too much information.  Choose the absolute best features of your home and use those rather than trying to include everything that makes the house valuable.

The picture you use on your home fact sheet is important.  If you have already taken a picture for listing your home in a real estate magazine or other advertising vehicle, that picture might very well work.  Make sure the exterior of the home is attractive, the lawn is manicured, and there are no distracting objects in the picture.  You might also include pictures of the inside of the home to give buyers a better view of what you have to offer.

Your fact sheets will look best on glossy paper.  Although it might be a couple of cents more than some alternatives, it will present your for sale by owner home in its best.  This is exactly what you need to ensure a successful offer.

 

If you need assitance in selling your or preparing your home fact sheet before a sale, pointers can be given by Sarah Miller.

 

 

Do You Need a Seller’s Home Warranty?

Does your home insurance policy include things like plumbing or electricity failures?  It most likely doesn’t.  What will you do if something goes wrong in the home after you’ve successfully closed the deal?  Even worse, what if something goes wrong after the buyer has already moved in?  You could end up paying thousands of dollars to have the problem fixed.

Don’t think that just because ownership of the property has transferred from you to buyer that the buyer won’t come to you if there is a major home failure.  Imagine if your brand new vehicle malfunctioned within days of its purchase.  Would you pay for repairs without word to the dealer?  Of course, you wouldn’t.  Neither will your buyer if there is a problem with the home after closing.

 As a for sale by owner home seller, you can benefit from the purchase of a seller’s home warranty.  Not only will it cover the cost of repair in the case that a major home item fails, it can also make your home look more attractive to buyers.  Prospective buyers will be pleased with the assurance that comes from a home warranty.

The last thing you want is to have to have the pressure of dealing with a surprising failure in the home after you have successfully closed the deal.  Deciding whether you or the buyer is responsible for paying for the damages could result in a heated debate.  Even in the unfortunate event of a home failure, you can avoid this type of situation by purchasing a seller’s home warranty.

Essentially, the home warranty picks up where insurance coverage leaves off by paying for failures in items like heating, plumbing, electricity, and air conditioning.  Be advised that the warranty only covers these items if they fail on their own.  Improper installation or maintenance, code violations, and unordinary wear and tear can lead to a denial of coverage.  Even without a home warranty, the buyer could not reasonably ask you to cover damages that were caused by actions taken on their part.

Depending on the provider, seller’s home warranty coverage can differ.  Make sure you carefully study and completely understand the policy you are purchasing before you pay for it.  In some cases, the home warranty might cover different items before and after the closing.

In most cases, the home warranty lasts for a year.  Buyers are given the option to renew the warranty coverage when it expires.  Be sure to advise your buyer that the cost to renew the policy might end up being more than the initial cost of the policy.

One of the good things about a seller’s home warranty is that it can be included as one of the closing costs.  You can obtain the warranty and then defer payment until closing, receiving the benefit of the warranty without having to pay for it until later.  The benefit of paying for the seller’s home warranty yourself is that you have peace of mind knowing the buyer won’t have to call you about an unforeseen problem after closing.

 

To get a few more pointers in enforcing home warranty, Sarah Miller is readily available to answer and provide you solutions for faster facility of your needs and concerns.

Finding Homes For Sale in Bryan or College Station

It’s a common goal of many Americans to purchase a home.  Different people have different reasons for home purchases.  Some need the space.  Some like the feeling of stability.  Some want to have a yard where their kids can play.  The motives are virtually endless.  No matter what motivation you might have for purchasing a home, the first thing you have to do is find a home to purchase.  Finding homes for sale in Bryan or College Station can be done in a few simple steps.
The most traditional way of finding a home for sale by owner is through yard signs.  This method also takes a lot of time, especially if you are looking for homes in several different neighborhoods.  The benefit of finding a for same by owner home in this way is that you see the home immediately.  Based on the outside appearance, you can quickly decide to keep it on your list of possibilities or decide it is not the right home for you and continue looking.
If you already have some neighborhoods in mind, you can drive through them looking for signs in yards or streetlamps.  In many cases, the for sale by owner seller has attached fact sheets about the home to the yard sign.  In this case, you can easily take a fact sheet for future reference.  When there is no fact sheet for a particular home, you can write down the address of the home and contact information for the seller.  Also jot down some identifying information so you will remember the home.
The classified ad section in your local newspaper is another place that you can peruse to find for sale by owner homes.  Sunday papers are the best since more people advertise for sale by owner homes on that day.  As you are reading the advertisements, use a highlighter or marker to indicate the homes that you would like to know more about.  The advertisement should have a contact number that you can use to inquire about the home.
For sale by owner websites are increasingly used by homeowners to sell their homes.  One of the most popular of these sites is FSBO.com.  Through this website, you can find listings of for sale by owner homes in the area that you are looking to buy – even if it is not in your immediate neighborhood.  You can find similar for sale by owner websites by using an internet search engine to search for the phrase “for sale by owner”.
Finally, home magazines are a source you can use to find for sale by owner homes.  These free magazines are often located in the grocery store.  The good thing about home magazines is that they often include a color picture of the home.  This photograph gives you a better look at the home, allowing you to decide earlier in the process if it is a home you would like to know more about.
The most successful home search uses several of these methods simultaneously.

For more listings of homes for sale in Bryan/College Station, ask Sarah Miller and you will get the best value for your money.

Deal Killers to Watch Out For

You have just negotiated a deal with a buyer and managed to sign the sales contract.  The good news is that you’re almost there.  The bad news is that you’re not quite there.  Even though the buyer has signed the sales contract, there’s still room for the deal to fall through.  Two big parts of the for sale by owner housing transaction still lay in the balance – the inspection and the buyer’s mortgage.
Housing Inspections
With most standard sales contracts, the buyer has the right to have the  property inspected.  If these inspections aren’t satisfactory to the buyer, the deal could end up turning bad.  There are three major types of inspections that the buyer can have completed.

• Termite Inspection.  Depending on your state’s laws either you or the buyer could be responsible for the termite inspection.  If it is your responsibility as the seller, then you must have a letter from a licensed pest control company that states your  home does not have any termites.  Whether you or the buyer pays for the inspection, it is your duty to clear up the problem before closing.
• Roof Inspection.  Should the roof inspection result in repairs to be completed, you are required to cover the repairs.
• General Inspection.  This is an inspection of major appliances, air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical systems.  As the seller, you are required to repair or replace any of these items that fail inspection.
  

Avoid inspection problems by having your own inspection completed before you put the home on the market.  That way you have time to make the repairs before a buyer’s inspector catches them.  In many cases, it is cheaper to make these repairs when your own inspector finds them.
Alternatively, you sell the  home “as is.”  Such a stipulation must be included in the sales contract.

Mortgage Fall-Through’s
Your buyer’s ability to purchase the for sale by owner home is contingent upon his or her approval for a mortgage.  If the buyer does not get approved for a mortgage that is large enough to buy your , it is a major deal killer.  Without financing, it is impossible for the buyer to purchase your .  You certainly aren’t going to give it away.

What can you do to avoid this problem?  Pre-qualify your buyers.  Ask prospective buyers for a pre-approval letter from a lender.  Serious buyers will have already gotten pre-approved for a mortgage.  Make sure the amount the buyer has been pre-approved for will cover the sales price of your  home.

You might also work with the buyer to obtain financing.  If you are working with a real estate attorney, he or she might be a resource that can assist the buyer in contacting a lender or mortgage broker.  Alternatively, you can contact a local real estate agency to get recommendations on lenders or brokers.
It is a good practice to work only with those buyers that have been pre-approved for a mortgage.  This diminishes the likelihood of a deal-killing surprise later on in the for sale by owner housing transaction.

The Process Of Negotiation

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Presenting a beautiful and immaculate home for sale is not all that is involved in selling your home. Once a potential buyer has seen your home and is interested, it is now time for the most difficult (for some) part of the process: the dreaded for sale by owner negotiation process.

 Truthfully, negotiating with a buyer is not all that different from the everyday for sale by owner negotiations you may go through with family members and co-workers. It can seem intimidating in a situation such as this simply because of the high stress level associated with the sale of your own home.

 In the process of for sale by owner negotiation, emotions can easily destroy a good deal. It is characteristic of people to walk away if their offer is insulted in any way. It is a deal killer also if a potential buyer has different plans for your garden that you worked so hard to cultivate.

 A key rule to remember in for sale by owner negotiation is to establish trust. Avoid responses that may offend the buyer. It is at times hard to do, especially if you feel insulted such as if the buyer calls the wallpaper ugly or your favorite rosebush an eyesore, but if you hope to get a good for sale by owner negotiation in this deal you must let such things slide by. You must remember to be truthful in your for sale by owner negotiations as well. If the buyer notices something wrong such as a water stain on the attic ceiling, making false and ridiculous excuses will do nothing but damage your credibility before the for sale by owner negotiations can ever even begin.

 It is important, first of all to make sure the buyer can qualify for a mortgage loan big enough to cover your asking price. After this is taken care of, you must remember that the buyer is not the enemy. You are working with the buyer to achieve a mutually beneficial result. You must remember to refrain from getting defensive. If the buyer offers to pay far less than what you are asking, ask questions to determine how he got to that number.

 When you make your counteroffer, be respectful as you let the buyer know you have considered his position. Be willing to explain your counteroffer in a way that you would have liked to have the offer explained to you. You must remember above all else to be courteous and not to get defensive during any portion of the for sale by owner negotiation. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but you are engaging in a transaction and it must be handled in a professional manner. Be willing to discuss any property defects and to allow an inspection of these defects. If after inspection, a price quote is given to fix the defects, be prepared to lower your asking price by a portion of the cost to repair.

 For sale by owner negotiations can be a harrowing and intimidating process, but if handled properly, it will be just another step in the process of selling your home. If the above tips are followed, things will flow a lot smoother than you might expect and will produce a happy buyer and a happy seller.

For inquiries on how to effectively negotiate your selling and bidding price, visit Sarah Miller, the leading real estate provider for all your Bryan/College Station rela estate services.

Preparing Your Home For Show

When you decide it is time to sell your home, it is imperative that you cover all bases adequately. Your home should be in excellent condition and ready to be shown to potential buyers. It is not difficult to prepare your  home for show but it does require proper planning and a little bit of work on your part to ensure success.
The outside of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see so it is very important to make sure it is clean and attractive. “Curb appeal,” or the way your home looks from the outside, is what attracts potential buyers so if you spruce it up a bit, they will want to view the inside of home.
A neatly manicured and well-kept lawn implicitly signifies a well maintained home. You should make a weekly habit of cutting your lawn while your home is on display for sale. Be sure to rake leaves and to sweep the sidewalks on the weekends when your house is to be shown. If you have shrubs and or trees, remove debris and dead limbs to make them more presentable. It is a nice touch to plant extra flowers for color or to add potted flowers to lighten up the landscaping.
If fences are in ill repair or need work, repair them and touch them up with stain or with paint. Put away lawn equipment, children’s’ toys, and any other outdoor items. Keep large pets with neighbors so they do not interfere with the showing of your home.
The inside of your home is next on the list to make presentable for showing. It has been proven that people buy homes that appear spacious, clean, and solid. Dark colors and clutter turn off most buyers, this means you must get rid of everything that you can possibly live without. A good rule of thumb is this, if you cannot see your baseboard, the room is probably very cluttered.
To get rid of unnecessary things you may have, you may donate them to a charity or have a garage sale. The larger items that you must keep can be placed in storage. If you will be painting your interior, use white or an off-white paint. You should also replace your light bulbs with brighter, higher wattage bulbs. Again, the look you are going for is bright and spacious. Be sure to clean everything thoroughly including carpets and mirrored surfaces.
Clean the oven and all appliances and be sure to polish any chrome fixtures. Be especially particular about ridding your home of any odors such as from smoke or from pets. Fix any loose doorknobs, repair any broken windowpanes or leaky windowsills. Be sure any light fixtures are secure and in good repair. Also, be sure to repair any leaky pipes and to reapply caulk as needed.
These general tips will get you started on preparing your home for show. It is a good practice to view the home as though you are the buyer and to be particularly hard on yourself so a potential buyer won’t have to be. If you are worried that you may overlook something, it won’t hurt to get a friend or neighbor to do a walk thru of the home and to critique your efforts. This will ensure a complete and thorough preparation and will boost the appeal of your home.
 For other tips on marketing your home for sale, please contact Sarah Miller                     

Preparing Your Home For Show

When you decide it is time to sell your home, it is imperative that you cover all bases adequately. Your home should be in excellent condition and ready to be shown to potential buyers. It is not difficult to prepare your  home for show but it does require proper planning and a little bit of work on your part to ensure success. 

The outside of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see so it is very important to make sure it is clean and attractive. “Curb appeal,” or the way your home looks from the outside, is what attracts potential buyers so if you spruce it up a bit, they will want to view the inside of home. 

A neatly manicured and well-kept lawn implicitly signifies a well maintained home. You should make a weekly habit of cutting your lawn while your home is on display for sale. Be sure to rake leaves and to sweep the sidewalks on the weekends when your house is to be shown. If you have shrubs and or trees, remove debris and dead limbs to make them more presentable. It is a nice touch to plant extra flowers for color or to add potted flowers to lighten up the landscaping. 

If fences are in ill repair or need work, repair them and touch them up with stain or with paint. Put away lawn equipment, children’s’ toys, and any other outdoor items. Keep large pets with neighbors so they do not interfere with the showing of your home. 

The inside of your home is next on the list to make presentable for showing. It has been proven that people buy homes that appear spacious, clean, and solid. Dark colors and clutter turn off most buyers, this means you must get rid of everything that you can possibly live without. A good rule of thumb is this, if you cannot see your baseboard, the room is probably very cluttered. 

To get rid of unnecessary things you may have, you may donate them to a charity or have a garage sale. The larger items that you must keep can be placed in storage. If you will be painting your interior, use white or an off-white paint. You should also replace your light bulbs with brighter, higher wattage bulbs. Again, the look you are going for is bright and spacious. Be sure to clean everything thoroughly including carpets and mirrored surfaces. 

Clean the oven and all appliances and be sure to polish any chrome fixtures. Be especially particular about ridding your home of any odors such as from smoke or from pets. Fix any loose doorknobs, repair any broken windowpanes or leaky windowsills. Be sure any light fixtures are secure and in good repair. Also, be sure to repair any leaky pipes and to reapply caulk as needed. 

These general tips will get you started on preparing your home for show. It is a good practice to view the home as though you are the buyer and to be particularly hard on yourself so a potential buyer won’t have to be. If you are worried that you may overlook something, it won’t hurt to get a friend or neighbor to do a walk thru of the home and to critique your efforts. This will ensure a complete and thorough preparation and will boost the appeal of your home. 

 For other tips on marketing your home for sale, please contact Sarah Miller