What's Unique About Your Neighborhood?

We all know a house is more than just walls, windows, and doors. Help your agent market your property by telling them what makes your home special. 

Answer the questions below to help attract the buyer who's been dreaming of calling your house a home and share this with your agent. 

1. What are the top three features you love about your neighborhood?
2. Why do your friends/family enjoy visiting your home/neighborhood?
3. Why did you choose this home or neighborhood over others?
4. What is the best neighborhood addition since you moved in?
5. Describe your home's ideal next owner.
6. List the best places to shop that are close to your home for groceries, gas, dry cleaners, etc. 

To-Do List for First-Time Buyers

Green Cleaning

Spring cleaning is just around the corner and what better way to do it than with "green" products. Below are some ways you can eliminate harsh chemicals while cleaning get your home in perfect shape for guests or real estate showings. 

Glass and Mirrors

The windows in your home can be effectively cleaned with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with a half gallon of water OR  try 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 quart of water. Instead of paper towels, try using a lint free rag or old cotton T-shirt instead. 

Furniture Polishing

One very effective wood polish is 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice. Apply it to your furniture using a soft cloth. The combination gives your wood furniture a nice smell and a sparkling shine.

Cleaning Bare Floors

Your basic vinegar and water solution is really the perfect choice for cleaning most types of bare floors in your home. Mix 1 cup vinegar with 1-gallon warm water and mop it onto ceramic tile, linoleum, vinyl, or wood floor. There is no need to rinse afterward saving both time and water. 

How to Prep Your Home to Sell

Before you show your home, check to make sure its condition is one you would be proud to let a few million Americans see. Too often sellers delay or lost out on offers because they don't take preparing for showings seriously or relax after the first few visitors.

Here are a few tips to make sure your property makes the right impression.

Check the Computer View

Most home first impressions today are online, so it's important that you view your home like a buyer will. To do this, take pictures of the interior and exterior of your home and upload them to a computer. Zoom in and pan your photos to get a buyer's perspective on your property.

Walk-thru with an Outsider

Do a walk-thru of your home with a trusted friend. Fresh eyes, ears, and noses can spot defects you have learned to live with.

Curate Your Curb Appeal

Go outside and inspect the driveway, decks and porches. Take note of cracks, oil stains, and landscaping. These should be high-priority on your fix list if you don't want buyers to turn away before they've taken a real look.

Clear the Way

Declutter all flat surfaces, closets, and bathrooms. Donate excess or move items to a storage facility. Your goal is to show a home buyers can see themselves in. That can be hard with your personal effects in the way.

Consider Staging to Speed Up the Process

Home staging professionals use furniture, placement, accessories, and lighting to help make the best impression. A staging investment can help sell a great home in a flash or help buyers appreciate the potential in a harder to move listing.

photo credit: DSC_9543 via photopin (license)

Homebuyer Checklist

Here are 9 things to take care of once you have an accepted offer.

• Earnest Money - make sure that you deliver the earnest money in the format and timeline agreed upon in your sales contract.
• Property Inspection - choose your inspector and get them scheduled to determine if any repairs are needed.
• Lender Docs - let you lender know that you are under contract and make sure to get them all of the requested documentation on time.
• Appraisal - make sure your lender orders the appraisal as soon as possible.
• Insurance - choose your homeowners insurance provider and provide the relevant information to your lender and closing company.
• Utilities - schedule all of your utilities to be transferred or turned on before closing.
• Schedule Closing - schedule your closing early on to make sure the closing agent has a convenient time slot open. 
• Final Walkthrough - before closing, do one final walk through to make sure that everything is ready for closing.
• Close the Deal - Bring your photo ID and certified funds (if applicable) to closing. 

Four Ways to Shorten the Selling Process

Once you've decided to sell your home, your top priorities should be developing a selling strategy that attracts offers and a plan for overcoming the hurdles that can delay your sale.

Here are four tips to smooth out potential bumps in the road before you even hit them and to make sure your transaction finishes as fast as possible.

Trust Your Agent

Hiring an experienced real estate agent will make the selling that much easier. Your agent is your best possible source of advice to position your home favorably against the competition. 

Outwit the Competition with Incentives

With other houses nearby or in the same price range for sale, it helps to sweeten the pot for the buyer who's on the fence. Talk with your agent about the best incentives to offer in your area.

Resist the Temptation to Hover

Resist the temptation to hang around and "help" potential buyers during their visit. This interferes with an agent's job and makes it harder for buyers to imagine owning and living in the home.

Expect to Negotiate

Offers and counter-offers keep your potential sale alive. Negotiations are less stressful when you decide in advance how low you're willing to go early. Ultimately, you decide what to accept, but talk with your agent early about your expectations and stay open to his or her advice on what price is best for today's market. 

photo credit: The Point Front- Paul Reinckens via photopin (license)