STEP 1: Doing Your Homework

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It's a question thousands of homeowners ask themselves every year. If you're one of them, you have some difficult decisions awaiting you. Selling your home can be a long and complex process, so it's important to think about all the potential implications - both positive and negative - before choosing to go it alone.

To help you make the decision that's right for you, below is a list of some of the duties and responsibilities you would face as an independent home seller.

• Your first responsibility as an independent home seller is assigning your home an accurate value, meaning the highest price a ready, willing and able buyer will pay.
• As part of the decision, you need to consider comparable properties in your area, current market conditions, as well as the cost of financing and its availability.
• Remember that your listing should be in line with comparable properties and market trends - you don't want your home to linger on the market or sell for a lower price than you might have otherwise received.
• You should remember that "For Sale by Owner" typically attracts bargain hunters who may expect you to lower your price since they too are looking to save money on REALTORâ commissions.

Independent home sellers must also market their properties to the public. That means:

• Putting up signage that is consistent with local ordinances
• Developing and paying for display and classified ads in your local newspapers
• Holding open houses
• Working to ensure your home gets good word-of-mouth exposure among your friends, neighbors and community organizations

• As an independent home seller, you would be responsible for all showings of your home.
• With that in mind, always encourage prospects to make an appointment, and discourage drop-ins.
• Work to screen the "buyers" from the "lookers" – curiosity-seekers are common at "For Sale by Owner" homes.
• You should also pre-qualify potential buyers to ensure they can afford to buy your home.
• When the time comes to negotiate, you'll need to be prepared and informed.
• Try to resolve any doubts your buyers might have, work to keep their interest high and make a final agreement as quickly and efficiently as possible.
• Once an offer is made, agree on the price and terms, respond to objections and try to be responsive and flexible to legitimate concerns.

• Every independent home seller should have an attorney or other qualified individual to preside over all agreements.
• That individual will draw up the contract and manage the sale proceedings and closing. He or she might also help you set the closing date and time.
• You should be sure to include a list of items you want written in to the contract, including personal property that is to remain with the home (the refrigerator, microwave oven, dishwasher, etc.), or items excluded in the sale.
• Also remember that as the seller, you are obligated by law to disclose any material defects in your property to the purchaser.

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The Right Price Means a Successful Sale

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• How quickly you need to sell
• The amount of competition in your price category and area
• The availability, flexibility and affordability of financing
• The sale prices of similar homes sold in your area during the past six months to one year

• The original cost of the property - price is determined by today's market
• Any investments you've made in improvements
• The cost to build your home today
• Emotional attachment
• The opinions of friends and neighbors

• You might help sell similar homes that are priced lower
• Your home may stay on the market longer
• You could lose market interest and qualified buyers
• You might create a negative impression of the property
• You could lose money as a result of making extra mortgage payments while incurring taxes, insurance and unplanned maintenance costs
• You may have to accept less money
• A potential buyer may face appraisal and financing problems as a result of the inflated price

A Certified Residential Specialist Can Help You Price Your Home Right. With a mix of real-world experience and advanced training, a Certified Residential Specialist has the tools necessary to calculate the fair-market value of your home based on both the marketplace and personal considerations such as your must-sell date. Remember, the right price is the key to a successful sale. So work with a Certified Residential Specialist to price your home accurately the first time.

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Is My Home Ready To Sell?

Giving Your Home the On-the-Market-Makeover

You work with a Certified Residential Specialist because he or she is best able to sell your home quickly and profitably. But remember, your relationship with a Certified Residential Specialist is a partnership. While they market your property and screen potential buyers, it's up to you to give your home a sprucing up that can go a long way towards a speedy sale.

With that in mind, here are some helpful hints gathered from Certified Residential Specialists across the country.

Before The Showing Begins

Hint: First Impressions are Lasting Impressions

The exterior of your home often determines how buyers will view the interior, so:

• Make sure the front entrance is clean and inviting
• Paint or replace your front door if it's faded or worn
• Add some paint to shutters, trim and any other outside feature showing signs of wear

Hint: Beauty is More than Skin Deep
Buyers often see the surface condition of your home as a sign of what's underneath, so:

• Keep windows and floors clean
• Replace faded wallpaper and glue any areas that have come away from the wall
• Repair worn woodwork
• Repaint scarred or dirty walls in a neutral color
• Steam clean carpeting or replace it if necessary
• Repair loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers, broken light switches and other minor flaws
• Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers

Hint: Accentuate the Positive
Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and arrange each room to bring out its best attributes, including:

• Open draperies and curtains to let the light in during the showing
• Remove all unnecessary clutter from your attic, basement and closets to better display spacious rooms (consider storage or a garage sale to dispose of extraneous items)
• Arrange all your rooms neatly and remove excess furniture
• Keep fresh, clean towels in the bathroom
• Use candles or air freshener to give rooms a pleasant scent

Hint: Put Your Home in the Best Light
Strategically lighting your home, even during daytime showings, can create a cozy mood and highlight positive attributes of each rooms, so:

• Avoid the use of overhead lighting that makes rooms look washed out and lifeless
• Be creative and arrange lamps to help smaller rooms seem larger, and large rooms more intimate
• Use lighting to highlight the "living areas" of your home, such as a pair of chairs near a fireplace, or a table in a breakfast area

Put the spotlight on the strengths and potential of your home Create the right mood and atmosphere given the room's function, color scheme, etc. Accent the positive aspects and unique features of each area of your home Define the space Bring the room to life

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After The Showing Begins

Hint: Leave the Selling to the Professional
Buyers often feel uncomfortable in the presence of a homeowner, so:

• Try not to be present during showings
• If you are home, never apologize for the appearance of your house
• Only the Certified Residential Specialist should discuss any objections and subjects such as price, terms, possession and other factors with the buyers

Hint: Keep the Disturbances Down
Potential homebuyers have a lot to take in, so minimize the distractions:

• Pipe in classical, jazz or soft rock music, but keep the volume low
• If possible, turn off the ringer on your phone during showings
• Keep cats, dogs, litter boxes and feeding dishes out of the way, preferably out of the house

Hint: Create a Homey Atmosphere
Buyers try to picture themselves and their family living in your home, so:

• Create a pleasant aroma by baking cookies or bread, or placing cornmeal in a warm oven on the day of the showing
• Keep the heat or air conditioner at comfortable levels
• If you have a fireplace, light it during wintertime showings

Hint: Have Records Available

• Even if a buyer doesn't study them, having records available can make it clear you are conscientious and have nothing to hide
• Have copies of your gas, electric and water bill from the last 12 months available
• Be ready to show all home improvement and repair bills

MOVING ON

There are many things to consider when selling a home, and one of the most important is the financial impact the sale will have on your finances and family. Let's move on to Step Two where you can use calculators get a better idea of how selling your house will affect you financially.

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Step One: Do Your Homework -- Step Two: Calculate The Impact
Step Three: Choose Your Realtor