What to expect - Mortgage Español

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Prepare your home for sale

It is important to put your home in the best conditions possible before listing the property for sale. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. What attracted you to the property when you purchased it ? Is the property in good shape or does it need cosmetic repairs? Here are a few things that you can do to improve the "curb appeal" of your property.

Unclutter your home – remove almost everything from the countertops, tables and bookshelves
Throw out old or store items not being used
Neatly arrange storage areas, basement, attic, etc., so that a potential buyer views an organized space so as to see the depth of the area
Repair kitchen and bath fixtures and touch up paint where needed
Plant or pot flowers at entrance and in patio or backyard area
Prune and clip overgrown trees, shrubs and keep the lawn mowed
Contact two or three agents from our database to inspect and provide a comparative market analysis, they would be happy to give you a professional opinion of what it takes to prepare your home and improve the "curb appeal" (find an agent)

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Find an agent

Selling a home is a complex process. A professional real estate agent can smooth the process and help you avoid the pitfalls along the way. Search our database to find a real estate agent in your area that list and market your home. (find an agent)

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Set your price

While there are many factors that determine a property’s value, comparing recent sales of similar homes is still the most reliable way to set your price. Consider the following when weighing the amenities against the other homes that have sold;

Compare your home to others that have sold in the neighborhood
Consider the gross square footage and room count (number of bedrooms, bathrooms. Etc.)
Location is a factor. Are you near an unsightly power lines or adverse traffic, or do you have a superior view or more private surroundings like a canyon or park adjacent to your home

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Market your home - prepare for an open house

As the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Consider our tips to prepare your home ("curb appeal"- preparing your home for sale) and follow these simple rules when showing your home;

Make your property easy to find- put clear directions in your advertisement from a major street or highway
Clean countertops and tables of everyday items
Bedrooms should have clothes hung and beds made. DO NOT OVERLOOK THE OBVIOUS !
Bathrooms should be clean and free of clothes and towels. Clear the shower or bath area of soap and shampoo bottles
Advertise a set time of the opening (from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm)
Hold your open house in the daylight hours
Remove pet items and cage pets while showing the house
Check to see if there are any competing events in your community so that you can insure the highest traffic (don’t schedule your open house during the super bowl!)

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Negotiate the contract

Be realistic. Consider all that you have studied in anticipation of marketing your home; the recent sales in the area, the condition and amenity of your home, the trend in the market. Consider the motivating factors of the buyer and their ability to perform. When you are negotiating, think clearly about each term, and make sure that you understand what your responsibilities are. If you have questions, your real estate professional can guide you. Remember, they have been through this process many times.

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Closing

Once you have entered into the contract, make a checklist of things that you are required to do. Pest inspection, property [appraisal] inspection, repairs (as negotiated in the contract) can slow the process of selling. If there are contingencies that the buyer has to meet, make sure that they have been taken care of on a timely basis. The escrow or closing agent will inform you throughout the process. You will be asked to provide the closing agent with a signed Deed (conveying the property to buyer). This Deed will be held until all contingencies are removed, the loan funded, and deposits made. After all conditions have been met, the Deed will be recorded and the proceeds disbursed per the closing instructions.

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