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Excel
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Seller's Guide
 The
home selling process differs from state to state, but
there are some important steps that you should take
before you put your house on the market--all steps that
protect your interests and help you get the most return
from your investment.
Request
information on listing your home
Why
Use a REALTOR?
"10 Steps You Must Take
Before You Sell Your Home"
1. Get Pre-Approved for a Home Loan
"I've known sellers who signed a contract to sell their
house before they knew if they were qualified to buy
another." said broker of firm. Either their
financial circumstances had changed since their last
purchase, and they could no longer qualify for a loan,
or they weren't able to sell at a price that allowed
them to buy the type of replacement house they wanted.
They ended up renting or buying something that was far
from ideal.
Before you decide to sell the house, get pre-approved by
a lender you trust and research the housing market in
the area where you wish to live so that you have a good
idea how much it will take to buy a replacement.
2. Check Your Mortgage Payoff
Call your lender to check the payoff for your current
home mortgage.
3. Determine How Much the House Is Worth
Determine your home's fair market value. Real estate
agents will usually help you determine value as a
courtesy, but you might take it a step further and order
an appraisal.
4. Estimate Your Costs to Sell
Real estate commission if you use an agency to sell.
Advertising costs, signs, other fees if you plan to sell
by owner.
Attorney, closing agent and other professional fees.
Excise tax for the sale.
 Prorated costs for your share of annual expenses, such
as property taxes, home owner association fees, and fuel
tank rentals.
Any other fees typically paid by the seller in your area
(surveys, inspections, etc.).
Real estate agents deal with transactions every day and
can give you a very close estimate of seller closing
costs.
5. Determine Your Costs to Acquire a New Home
Total your costs to acquire a new home: moving expenses,
loan costs, down payment, home inspections, title work
and policy, paying for a new hazard insurance
policy--all expenses related to buying a home. Your
lender should give you a disclosure of estimated costs
when you apply for pre-approval.
6. Calculate Your Estimated Proceeds
1. Deduct your mortgage payoff from your home's fair
market value.
2. Deduct your costs to sell from the remainder to get
an estimate of the proceeds you will be paid at closing.
Will your closing proceeds cover your costs to acquire a
new home? If not, do you have cash or other funding to
make up the difference?
7. Make Necessary Repairs
Make all needed repairs unless you want the house to be
regarded as a fixer-upper. I'm not referring to cosmetic
updates, but to items in need of repair. Anything that's
obviously broken gives potential buyers a reason to
submit a lower offer.
8. Get the House Ready to Show
 Most houses need at least a little spiffing up before
they are shown to potential buyers. Great curb appeal,
fresh paint indoors (and sometimes out), organized
closets and cabinets, sparkling clean windows and
appliances, and a clutter-free atmosphere are essential
if you want the house to appeal to buyers.
9. Get Psyched Up to Let People In
If you're listing with a real estate agent, she'll no
doubt ask you to leave when the house is shown. Why?
Because lurking sellers make buyers nervous--they don't
feel comfortable inspecting the house when they feel
they are intruding.
Unless there's a real reason for it, don't ask your
agent to be present for all showings. That's the kiss of
death for showing activity. Other agents want privacy
with their buyers and they don't usually have time to
work around your agent's schedule.
Make the house accessible. That means it's always ready
to show. Many agents won't bother showing a house that
takes 24 hours to get into.
10. Now you're ready to sell, call
EXCEL!!!
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