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As much as we would like to provide a simple or general answer for this question, it’s just not realistic. Every real estate market is different so the best time to sell is going to vary from community to community. In most cases, Spring & Summer are the most popular seasons to list as the weather is now warm and potential buyers have begun to stir. However, selling a home in the fall & winter months have also proven to be beneficial due to a combination of many factors including lower competition and the fact that serious home buyers are always looking for a home. When selecting an ideal time to list, get with your Realtor to ensure all factors have been accounted for based on your community and situation.

The expression “You never get a second chance to make a first impression!” never rings more true than when selling your home. When selling your home you must be sure that your home presents itself in the most welcoming way possible. Not preparing your home properly can put a home owner at a huge disadvantage from the time a prospective buyer pulls into the driveway. Here are a few things we have found that helps sellers get a jumpstart on their competition:

• Make sure clutter is at a minimum
• Ensure the home has a welcoming feel + nice curb appeal
• Freshly painted rooms with modern and/or neutral colors
• Installing new carpeting can go a long way
• Deep Clean, de-personalize + de-clutter

There are a handful of methods that Realtors use when determining the value of a home. The most common method is by completing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) in which an in-depth evaluation of recently sold “comparable” properties (typically within 6-12 months) has been completed. The CMA is not a crystal ball that provides an exact list price, however when done by a top Realtor, he/she should be able to greatly narrow the sale price range.

The answer to this FAQ is NO! Anyone who has bought a home, sold a home, or just looked for homes have heard of websites such as Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, etc. These are commonly referred to as third party real estate websites and they are not local to every real estate market, therefore in a lot of cases the home value estimates listed on these websites are inaccurate. By providing these inaccurate estimates, these websites can create a false sense of hope which leads to frustration. A seller who is told their home is worth less than the online estimate is going to be understandably upset, however it’s critical that you list at a fair market price out of the gate to make sure you get the most for your home. The best way to ensure this happens is by having the value determined by a top Realtor in your local area, not an internet website!

No! This is a common mistake made by many sellers. Most believe they should list higher than actual market value to leave room for negotiations and low-ball offers, however statistics show that using this strategy often leads to selling at a lower price than if it had been originally listed at market value. By overpricing, you open yourself up for longer days on market which leads to greater negotiating power for the buyer. Bottom Line: Price correctly out of the gate and the home will sell quickly and also sell for closer to the list price.

Absolutely! It is always in everyone’s best interest that a buyer speak with a lender and get pre-approved before looking at potential homes. First and foremost, it helps you better understand exactly how much you can afford as well as what costs are associated with buying a home. Also, by having a pre-approval letter prior to looking, it provides confidence to the seller that you are a serious buyer and capable of getting the deal closed if their home turns out to be a fit for what you’re looking for!

The sellers are responsible for paying realtor commissions. So, it’s always good to find a realtor to represent you in the purchase of a home (yes, even in new construction)!

GREAT question! This is often not considered when someone goes to buy a home! The buyers are responsible for closing costs, unless otherwise negotiated. We estimate this number to be 3-4%, but the lender really firms this up for you, as there are many variables that play in to this final number. This is separate from your down payment!

Heck no! First time home buyers have the option to put as little as 3% if they qualify for a conventional loan. There are many financing options that a lender can review with you to make sure you are comfortable with the down payment moving and how that equates to a monthly mortgage payment. Some lenders even offer 0% down financing options. Make sure you partner with a Loan Officer you trust and ask your realtor for recommendations – It’s not their first rodeo!

Earnest money is essentially a good faith deposit on the home you want to purchase. It is usually 1% of the purchase price and it sits in escrow until closing and will show up as a credit on your closing disclosure and goes towards the bottom line on the purchase of your new home! You receive this money back if you walk during due diligence or if there are any hiccups during the financing and/or appraisal contingency periods.