Making Your Home Look Its Best

Today’s buyers look at real estate differently than they did a decade ago. Today’s buyers appreciate a property that is “ready to move into” and are generally less interested in investing too much “sweat equity” in a property. This means that when you put your property on the market you'll want to present the very best product possible. From enhancing the "curb appeal" of your home to advice on decorating, cleaning and repairing, we can help you improve the marketability of your home.

When we show buyers your home they aren't coming for just a quick look but for a careful inspection. Keep the exterior neat by painting the trim, clipping the hedges, mowing, edging, and weeding the lawn and you may even want to plant a few flowers.

Inside you'll want to lighten up the darker corners, perhaps add some fresh paint and put the clutter away to give the rooms an open feeling. Make sure there are no "stale" odors in the home. This can be especially important for remote areas such as a basement or attic. On the day of your open house, you may want to consider baking some cookies or bring in some fragrant fresh flowers. This will add a cheery and pleasant scent to your home. These little things just may help you sell your home a bit more quickly.

Marketing Your Home

When selling your home, you must realize that it's not likely that the right buyer will simply walk through your door, on their own. Generally, you have to bring your home to the buyer, and that means counting on a real estate professional to put forth a successful marketing campaign. You'll want an agent who will make the best use of advertising, and one who uses state-of-the-art techniques. Gerrard-Hoeschler has the best web site in the market. Go to www.GHRealtors.com to see the difference between Gerrard-Hoeschler and the rest!

Our team of real estate professionals will combine traditional and innovative marketing tools to help sell your property. Gerrard-Hoeschler will feature your new listing on www.GHrealtors.com. Our team of professionals sells many listings through Gerrard-Hoeschler’s internal networking system. We will discuss other marketing techniques (see below) to be sure we tailor a marketing campaign design specifically for you.

Marketing Tools Available For Your Property

• Ordering a "FOR SALE" sign to be placed prominently on your property.
• Installing a lock box to make it easy for agents to show your home.
• Submitting your home to the Multiple Listing Service for immediate exposure to the real estate community.
• Arranging for Gerrard-Hoeschler and MLS agents to tour the home.
• Developing a flyer/brochure highlighting the features and benefits of your home.
• Holding open houses when appropriate.
• Contacting your neighbors to promote the property.
• Promoting your property at our regular office schedule meetings.
• Featuring your property on our web site and REALTOR.com.
• Asking clients and colleagues if they know of possible buyers.

Gerrard-Hoeschler agents do more than market your home but no one markets your home better than Gerrard-Hoeschler.

Negotiating The Offer

Your Gerrard-Hoeschler real estate professional will timely present and explain all offers to you. You will be able to accept, reject, or counter any offer presented. During the negotiation process, your Associate will leverage their experience and skills to advocate your interests:

• Reviewing the contract and obligations before you sign.
• Explaining how contingency clauses work.
• Protecting you from signing a "blank check" for unknown problems or repairs.
• Complying with legal disclosure requirements.
• Orchestrate the offer process for "back-up" offers, if necessary.

Throughout the negotiation, your Sales Associate will provide you with a professional, objective point of view; but the final decision of accepting an offer is yours. As the seller, you basically have three options: you can accept the offer, reject the offer or give a counter offer. A counter offer usually will encourage a buyer to continue their negotiations. You may also receive multiple offers. You may prefer to take slightly less for your property from someone who is willing to pay cash, versus someone who needs to sell their current home first. Contingencies, move-in dates, and financing are all things to consider when weighing an offer. If things seem a bit overwhelming, rely on your experienced Gerrard-Hoeschler real estate professional, who can go over the various points with you, and help you choose the best offer.

The Closing

Once you've accepted an offer on your property there's a number of details that still need to be finished. There will probably be an inspection of your home by a professional who will determine the condition and integrity of your property for the buyer. The buyer's mortgage company may choose to send out an appraiser who will assure the lender of your property's worth. The title company will warranty that there are no liens or existing encumbrances which would inhibit a transfer of title to the buyer. Either you or the buyer may choose to be represented by an attorney. Rest assured that you can always rely on your Gerrard-Hoeschler real estate professional to make sure the entire home selling process proceeds smoothly.

 
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