Sara Hibbard
sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com
(o) 404.843.2500
(d) 770.399.8108
(c) 404.660.2481
(f) 770.924.5206
Service You Deserve. An Agent You Trust.

            
Seller Tips
In today's competitive real estate market you'll need more than advertisements in the newspaper and a sign in the yard to sell your home successfully.  You need a proven strategy for attracting the best buyer to your home.  A buyer who is ready, willing and able to make the purchase.  As a Premiere Service Realtor, I can offer you an exclusive Home Marketing System™.  This systematic approach to selling your home is designed to help you obtain....

                                                            The best possible price for your home....
                                                                  with the most favorable terms..... 
                                                                  in the shortest period of time.....
                                                         with the least inconvenience to you and your family. 

Gather The Facts 
Buyers want to know details; having the answers readily available is a powerful sales tool.  I will use the information you provide to answer questions, create an advantageous listing and exciting marketing campaign that targets the right kind of buyer.  You can help me by providing the following information:
•    The legal description of the property.
•    The number of rooms and their sizes.
•    A list of things/items not attached to the house that you're offering for sale, such as window treatments, carpet, fixtures, swing sets, dog house/kennel, etc.
•    Past utility bills, property taxes and insurance statements.
•    Any leins against the property.
•    If you live in a condominium or townhouse, include a copy of the association's declaration, bylaws, and financial statement, monthly fees and special assessments.  
•    If you live in a neighborhood sub-division, the Home Owner Association (HOA) covenants, names and telephone numbers of HOA board members and President.
•    Special items or improvements about the house.  (Point out things that may not be apparent on a walk-through).
•    The positive points about your neighborhood, such as ammenities, proximity to shopping, services, schools, parks and other areas.   
•    Any defects that are not apparent.  You must disclose all known defects.

Setting The Price 
Before we can set the asking price for your home we will conduct a complete Home Market Analysis.  When setting a realistic fair market value of your home, you'll want to consider a few points:
•    Don't base your asking price simply on what you paid for the home.  You may be asking too little or too much depending on current market conditions.
•    Determine your "sense of urgency" and how much time you have to sell your home.  If you must sell quickly, you may want to price your home more competitively.  Likewise, if you have some flexibility, you may choose a slightly higher price.
•    We will determine recent home sales of comparable properties in your area.
•    Avoid pricing your home too high as a means of making more profit.  You will lose a large pool of eligible buyers who won't even look at your home because they believe they can't afford the price.  Likewise, you'll disappoint those buyers who can find more house for their money elsewhere.
•    Recognize that the value of your home is based on the buyer's perception of that value, rather than the amount you originally paid for the house.  My Home Merchandising System™ will offer tips on how to make your home even more appealing to buyers.

Merchandising Your Home    
As you prepare your home to be shown to prospective buyers, you must look at your home through a buyer's eyes.  With my Home Merchandising System™, I will help you spot the little things that buyers will notice -- things they might otherwise use to try to negotiate a lower price including but not limited to the following:

•    Unclutter all areas of your home to create an impression of spaciousness.
•    Clean EVERYTHING!  
•    Neutralize your home by making any improvements in neutral colors that appeal to any decorating scheme.

In the yard 
•    Keep the lawn well-trimmed and edged.  Keep schrubs and trees trimmed and pruned.
•    Put away lawn equipment, toys and other outdoor items.  Stock firewood neatly or remove from property.
•    Repair, paint and / or stain fences.
•    Check exterior surfaces.  Make repairs, caulk, clean, power wash, paint as needed.
•    Clean, paint, reair and /or realign gutters.
•    Fix broken windows and screens, then wash.
•    Power wash the exterior of house, side walks, pateos, porches, drive-ways.  Fix holes in pavement.
•    Check the roof and repair loose shingles and / or flashing.
•    Make sure the entry light and door bell are in working order.  Replace house numbers, welcome mat as needed.  Paint, stain or wash the front and back doors as needed.

In the home
•    Discard all unused items to reduce clutter.
•    Arrange clothes and shoes neatly in all closets.
•    Leave kitchen countertops as clear as possible. De-clutter!  Clean and organize interiors of all cupboards and pantrys.
•    Check walls for smudges, chipped paint and torn or loose wallpaper.  Make repairs and paint surfaces in neutral colors.
•    Clean and organize the basement, attic and garage.
•    Tighten loose doorknobs, switch plates, cabinets, drawer pulls, etc.
•    Fix sticking doors and windows.  Don't forget squeaking floors and steps too!
•    Fix leaky faucets and remove all water stains.
•    Repair and / or clean caulking on tubs, showers, and sinks.
•    Replace all lights with higher wattage bulbs and open all drapes.
•    Wash / Dry clean all window treatments.  Replace smelly carpeting.
•    Kill any odors!  Pet odors and ethinic cooking odors will make buyers turn around before they are even inside the door!  Buyers often refuse to enter a home if they detect odors of any kind!  They are the first thing buyers notice, and often are a permanent turn off!

You can learn more about the home selling process by clicking on the link below.
More Advice For Home Sellers
 Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate, Atlanta, GA. A licensed real estate broker in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Equal Housing Opportunity © 2009 GMAC Home Services, LLC. An Independently Owned and Operated Firm. GMAC is a registered trademark of General Motors Acceptance Corporation.