Join Our Mailing List:Trying to Sell Your Own Home?
Here are some free resources to help you!
~Compliments of Carol Ferrell, Realtor~
In this section we are providing information and PDF downloads. Selling your home and assisting buyers is our business; we feel confident that sharing information only helps buyers and sellers. If you would like to talk, please contact me. We offer advice an insight as you make the decisions in selling your home.
Here are a few tips to help you
sell your own home!
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Place an ad in your local newspaper. Always include the area of town, the price, the number of bedrooms & baths. These are the most important considerations for a buyer.
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Consider a print ad in local publications.
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Design a flyer or brochure for your property. A photo and description of the home is important.
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Know your current annual property taxes and homeowner insurance premium amounts. Know if they are paid from an escrow account or by some other method.
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Know your average monthly utility bills.
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Know at least three different methods available to finance the sale of your home. Assumable loan, seller financing, adjustable rate loan, FHA loan, VA loan and fixed rate loan are good examples. Buyers want to know the total cash down payment, closing costs and monthly payment.
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What are the current interest rates and fees on fixed rate and adjustable rate loans?
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Consider having an appraisal done on your home to determine the current market value. Buyers typically will offer less than you are asking because they know a saving of the commission is often built into the price. You are trying to save the commission and so are they.
When a prospective buyer visits your home, follow these guidelines:
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Have all buyers pre-approved for financing at no cost.
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Set appointments at their convenience.
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Always prepare the home before it is shown, even if you have to leave work to be ready for their visit.
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Have your property brochures and flyers available.
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Introduce your self at the door.
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Let buyers tour your home with as much privacy as possible. Buyers feel uncomfortable making comments in your presence. When they complete the tour of your home ask them if they would like to go back for a second look.
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Be prepared. Most people may not be that interested in your home. Buyers shop by comparison and there are usually a great number of homes for them to consider.
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In the event you receive an offer from a buyer, have them put it in writing, including an earnest money deposit.
Here are some tips to help you
sell your home faster!
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What is the buyer's first impression of the exterior of your house?
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Shall I re-seed the lawn and get my landscaping in top shape?
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Does the house or any part of the house need painting?
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What about the doormats? Do I need to replace them?
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What about the screens—any holes? What about the windows? Do they work well or do they need attention?
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What is the buyer’s first impression as they step inside the house?
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Are my pets in control at all times?
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Are all appliances in good working order?
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Can I take items out of the cabinets to make them look more spacious?
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Is there any furniture that can be stored to make rooms look larger?
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Since all buyers want to look in closets, can I take some of the clothes out to make them look roomier?
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Are the garage and storage areas as clean and neat as they should be?
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Should I stay out of a prospective buyer’s way?
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Is the price and terms offered going to appeal to most of the buying public in my price range?
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Do I need to be aware of other houses similar to mine also being offered for sale?
Here are a few tips to help you
with your Open House!
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Look in your local newspaper, in the classified section, to determine which is the most popular day for your Open House.Schedule your Open House at least one week in advance.
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Restrict the total number of hours you will be open to 2 to 4 hours.
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Place directional arrows from about 3 or 4 blocks away toward your home.
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Place very visible Open House sign in the front yard.
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Your front porch area and entryway should sparkle.
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Turn on all lights, including closets, and open the draperies.
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Place your brochure or other printed material in the entry area.
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Have extra clean bathrooms and close all toilet lids.
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If the home features organized closets, open a few for inspection.
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Verify that valuables have not been left where accessible to visitors.
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Tune in soft music on the same radio station in each available room.
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Consider a guest registration book for visitors to sign.
Suggested Inspections Potential Buyers May Require
Home Inspection
Pest Inspection
Well Inspection
Septic Tank Inspection
Helpful Documents (in Adobe pdf format)
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Lead Paint Addendum -- Lead Warning Statement Every Buyer of any interest in residential real properly on which a residential dwelling was built prior to 1978 is nod/led that such property may present exposure to lead from lead-based paint that may place young children at risk of developing lead poisoning. Lcrc/ poisoning in young children may produce permanent neurological damage, including learning disabilities, reduced intelligence quotient, behavioral problems, and impaired memory. Lead poisoning also poses a particular risk to pregnant women. The Seller of any interest in residential real property is required to provide the Buyer with any information on lead-based paint hazards from risk assess,nents or inspections in the Seller’s possession and notijj’ the Buyer of an known lead-based paint hazards. A risk assessment or inspection for possible lead-based hazards is recommended prior to purchase.
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Property Disclosures -- G.S. 47E requires owners of residential real estate (single-family homes and buildings with up to four dwelling units) to furnish purchasers a property disclosure statement. This form is the only one approved for this purpose. A disclosure statement must be furnished in connection with the sale, exchange, option and sale under a lease with option to purchase (unless the tenant is already occupying or intends to occupy the dwelling). A disclosure statement is not required for some transactions, including the first sale of a dwelling which has never been inhabited and transactions of residential property made pursuant to a lease with option to purchase where the lessee occupies or intends to occupy the dwelling. For a complete list of exemptions. see G.S. 47E-2.
*Note: Acrobat Reader is required to view and print these forms.
