Home Selling Articles and Advice

If you are thinking of selling your Winter Haven home or surrounding Polk County communities, chances are you're caught up in a mass of emotions. You may be looking forward to moving up to a new home or facing the uncertainty of a major move across country. You may be reluctant to leave your memories behind or eager to start new and exciting adventures. Remember, we are here to help you with any of your needs. Contact Us!

Helpful Hints

Choose a Real Estate Professional

The Real Estate transaction is a very complicated procedure involving many different parties with requirements and critical timing. A Real Estate Professional provides the marketing, forms, advice and experience to help achieve your goals.

Your Wants and Needs

Getting the highest price for the value your property offers is always a seller’s goal. The time required to find a willing buyer depends on the status of the market, competition, price, interest rates and other variables. Balancing your future plans with selling your home is the challenge.

Maximize the Value of Your Property

Listen to professional advice. Repair electrical and plumbing problems. Replace worn out maintenance items such as the furnace, water heater, carpet and roof. Clean the interior walls, woodwork, sinks, bathroom fixtures, closets, appliances, drapes and blinds. Brighten with new paint, light bulbs or fixtures. De-personalize by removing family pictures and personal items. Remove excessive or worn furniture. Increase the street appeal by painting or replacing the front door and painting, cleaning, weeding mowing and planting.

Welcoming the Buyers

Buyers are often on a short time frame.  The easier it is to show your property, the better chance of a sale. If you can’t show it, you can’t sell it. Stay out of the buyer’s area or leave during showings. Buyers are leery of anything sellers may say. Their own Real Estate Professional will answer their questions.

Selling Your Home

Professional Marketing Advice

Successful methods of selling Real Estate vary from area to area and season to season. As your local Real Estate Professionals we know the best approach for your wants and needs.

Selling and Moving

Selling involves relocating also. Getting ready to sell includes preparing to move. The moving plans may influence the selling plans. Plan the move in advance. To maximize the value, improve the quality, color, smell and feel of each area of the property. Outperform your competition.

Time on the Market

The time to sell a property depends on many variables. The buyer is looking for value for the price. The time to sell depends on how competitive your property is vs. the competition. Pricing to sell initially reduces the days on the market, time and hassle.

The Real Estate Transaction

As your Real Estate Professionals we will explain the steps in your situation. The offer to purchase includes price, terms and timing. There may be contingencies such as inspections, appraisals, mortgage approvals, repairs, changes of dates and addendums. Understand the transaction.

Marketing Plan

Maximum Exposure in Print and on the Net. The marketing plan includes many approaches to attract potential buyers, including such features as the Multiple Listing Service, Internet marketing with our amazing new website: www.michaelanddeenorris.com Realtor.com Featured Home marketing system, advertising in Real Estate magazines weekly and monthly, flyers, Realtor tours, open houses, signs, personal color brochures, virtual tours, etc.

Getting Your House Ready to Sell

• Introduction: Emotion vs. Reason
• De-Personalizing the House
• Removing Clutter, Though You May Not Think of it as Clutter
• Fixing Up the House Interior
• Fixing up Outside the House

Want to Start Off With a High Sales Price? Beware!

• Meeting with Realtors
• Which Realtor Do You Choose?
• What Happens Behind the Scenes
• Dropping Your Price...Too Late?

Types of Listing Contracts

• Open Listings
• One-Time Show
• Exclusive Agency Listings
• Exclusive Right to Sell

Details of a Listing Contract

• Price and Terms of Sale
• Lockbox - Yes or No?
• Real Estate Commission
• Multiple Listing Service
• Agency Duties of a Listing Agent
• Resolution of Disputes

Listing Commissions and Related Issues

• Is the Commission Negotiable?
• How and When the Commission is Earned
• "Hot" Market Under-Pricing Strategy - Commission Issues

The Listing Agent & Marketing Your Home

• The "Real" Role of a Listing Agent
• Preliminary Marketing - the "For Sale" Sign
• Preliminary Marketing - Flyers and the Brochure Box

The Listing Agent - Marketing Your House to Other Agents

• The Multiple Listing Service
• Office Preview
• Broker Previews and Culinary Delights
• Office Flyers
• Marketing Sessions

The Listing Agent - Marketing Your House to Homebuyers

• The Purpose of Advertising in General
• Real Estate Company Advertising
• Individual Agent Advertising
• Neighborhood Announcements
• Open Houses

Showing Your House to Home Buyers

• Convenience and Availability
• Why You Should Not Be Home
• Lighting, Fragrances, Pet Control and More
• Keeping the House Tidy and Neat

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