If you'd like some help and resources on where to start, visit http://smallbusiness.expion.com

I'm happy to say that the tools I've been using to become a multi million dollar producer are now being shared with you.  Expion is a new company I'm working with and I've stepped out of real estate.  My team is still running full steam ahead but my passion and drive lies in helping businesses build the buzz.

Step 5:  Take the U out of your HOUSE

Earlier in this series I mentioned that selling can be emotional.  The home you’ve lived in has memories, your belongings and it’s your safe haven.  Realtors know this, but it’s not our job to sell you; it’s our job to sell your home.  Don’t take offense if we’re harsh or insistent on asking you to take down photos or remove belongings.  We are trying to help you detach from your home and help a potential buyer put their U into your space. 

Realtors need to open the U space in your HOUSE so someone else can insert themselves there.  It’s hard to fit two different U’s into one spot.  If a buyer cannot see themselves fitting in they won’t buy your home.  It has to be cozy, comforting and feel like their future in a matter of seconds.  Their decision is emotional too and human nature is impulsive.  Feelings push harder than facts.

Here's where your work starts...your Realtor will step back into the picture once you're ready to list and start showing your home.

In the next post I'm going to cover how to proceed with house hunting while your home is for sale.  How many times have you heard of people taking the plunge and buying a home before theirs is sold.  Don't be foolish and do this in a difficult market.  There are ways to avoid this!

If you're considering selling a home in Raleigh, Cary, Apex or Wake County NC, our team can help.  We always prefer to start building trust with our clients even if your timeline is 12 months down the road.  It never hurts to collect information.

Till the next post...Happy House Hunting!

Step 3:  Qualifying for a Mortgage

You may think I’m jumping the gun here but I’m not.  Here’s why…if you want to upgrade or purchase another home you need to review your credit and down payment requirements.  I’ve often heard sellers say,

“Well, this place was no money down and easy to get a mortgage on so it shouldn’t be a problem to buy again…”

WRONG!!  If it’s been several years since you’ve purchased a home, times have changed.  You watch the news or see it all over the Internet, right?  Mortgages are available but they are tougher to qualify for.  You’re also looking at some sort of a down payment in 99% of scenarios.  If you don’t have equity, don’t have savings and don’t have decent credit, you may not be able to buy right now.  If that’s the case…stay put if you can.  Renting is your other option.

Step 4:  Take off the Goggles

DISCLAIMER: I’m guilty of this too!  I’ve lived in a dozen homes in my life and everyone gets this disorder.  When you first purchase a home you have plans or updates you want to do, right?  Time passes, life happens, money comes and goes and the goggles appear.   Repairs, updates, broken things, maintenance, etc.  You learn to live with all and it becomes a part of home.  A buyer isn’t going to see it that way.  They are going to see work!

You’ve got three lifelines here:  Phone a Friend, Ask an Expert or Poll the Audience

1.   Phone a Friend: I’d suggest calling a brutally honest friend.  Ask them to walk around making a list of everything that stands out to them as work needed.

2.   Ask an Expert:  Now is a great time to bring back the Realtor to help you wisely spend money for updates or repairs.  Use the Expert as a source of recommendations.  You don’t always have to spend a lot of $$ to create value.  Cleaning, organization, yard work, color neutralization are all great improvements.

3.   Poll the Audience:  This is NOT the way to go.  Sticking your home on the market without preparing to “See what buyers say” is not profitable.  If you’re not ready for showings, you’ll be beat up and eaten alive.  It’s competitive out there!!

If you’re considering selling a home in the Raleigh, North Carolina area my team would be more than happy to answer any questions.  This blog is meant to aide you in moving forward in your decision.

Seller Series Blog:

The decision to sell a home can be exciting, scary, overwhelming and emotional.  It’s not always based upon a positive situation in your life, but you have to look at the big picture.    Moving on or moving up is the next step on your path to a better future.  Things happen that are out of your control but you can take some steps to prepare and maximize the sale of you home.  My goal is to give you the largest bottom line return possible in an ever changing market.

This 5 part series will walk you through the “How To’s” of selling a home.  If it’s your first time, ask lots questions.  If it’s your tenth sale, still ask questions!  The market changes, marketing changes and buyers demands change.  You need to understand all of the variables to successfully sell your property.

Step 1:  Considering a Change

              As a Realtor, I cannot force you to sell your home. This is a personal choice that only you can make. There are many factors like

·       financial strain

·       change in your mortgage payments with fluctuating interest rates

·       relationship changes like divorce or children

·       job relocation

·       school re-assignments

·       down sizing for empty nesters

·       lifestyle desires to live on a lake, beach or mountains

There are so many reasons I could list but the bottom line is…it’s accepting the reality of change.  Change is good even if it’s uncomfortable.  It’s how we grow personally and financially!

Once you’ve wrapped your head around the reason that you need to sell your home, you need to set a plan into place.

Step 2:  What If’s…

              This is still a step that you can tackle alone but I’d suggest speaking to a Realtor too.  A quick free consultation via phone or in person can give you some great information about the “what if’s”.  Now, what do I mean by that statement?  You need to have the range of value for your home to know what you’re working with as equity or lack there of, for your next move.  It could be

1. A down payment for another home,
2. Financial backing for rent/deposits or
3. Carrying double payments if you decide to buy before you sell
4. Reviewing rental amounts if you’re keeping your current home as an investment
5. Planning to negotiate a deficiency to your current loan if you’re upside down. 

KNOW WHERE YOU STAND!  It will empower you to set several plans in place or at least mentally and emotionally stabilizing for the worst case scenario.