Open Houses

One Brokers Open House or a Sunday Open House for the public.

Previews

On the Wednesday after a property is listed, the staff of Janice Mitchell Real Estate views the house in order to obtain first hand knowledge of the property. This enables our staff to deal with phone calls regarding the home as well as the actual showings of the home in a more thorough and professional manner.

For Sale Signs

Our signs bring in many calls to our office and they work,24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Multiple Listing Service

Within 24 hours of listing your property, your home is entered into the MLS computer and is also is placed on the Internet.

Preparing Your Home For Showing

Once you’ve decided to sell your home, there are a number of things which you can do to help get the best possible price in the shortest amount of time.

Your Realtor is an expert in marketing homes. However, selling your home is a joint effort with you playing an important role in the final results. Your major role is to make your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers.

Remember that first impressions count. You should do everything you can to make that first impression a positive one. People who consider buying your home will be as critical as you are in searching for your new home.

Take an inspection tour of your home, observing it as a potential buyer would. Take note of any minor repairs and painting that needs to be done.

Here are some tips from your Realtor which have proven valuable to homeowners in preparing their homes for showing.

Exterior

Since the exterior of your home will be the first thing a prospective buyer sees, it is very important to create a good first impression.

• Keep the lawn trimmed and edged. Weed and cultivate flower gardens. Trim shrubs and eliminate dead trees or branches. Pick up any debris, toys and lawn equipment.
• Repair any fences or gates. Give them a fresh coat of paint, if necessary.
• The exterior should be well painted, the roof in good repair, as well as gutters and downspouts.
• Wash down driveways and sidewalks. Check them for cracking and crumbling.
• Replace any cracked windows and torn screens.
• The entrance should be clean and in good repair. The doorbell and front light must be in good working condition.

Interior

Start with a full housecleaning from top to bottom. Don’t let dirt and clutter obscure your home’s good points. Discard unused and unnecessary items in storage areas and closets. Eliminating clutter will give your home a more spacious look.

• Walls should be clean and free of smudges, fingerprints and dents. Consider a fresh coat of paint if a good washing doesn’t do the trick. Inspect woodwork and wallpaper for problem areas.
• Arrange furniture to make each room appear more spacious and attractive. If a piece of furniture is badly worn, store it temporarily in the attic or at your neighbors.
• Wash windows and sills until sparkling clean. Curtains and drapes should be freshly laundered.
• Shampoo rugs and carpets. Floors should be waxed.
• Repair loose doorknobs, sticking doors and windows, and warped drawers.
• Fix leaky faucets and eliminate water discoloration in sinks.
• Tighten loose stair banisters, and be sure steps are free of objects.
• Light fixtures should be in good repair. Replace discolored or cracked switch plates.
• Clean out closets to display their roominess. Be sure clothes are hung neatly and shoes and other objects tidily arranged.
• Bathrooms should be sparkling clean. Repair caulking in tubs and showers.
• Bedrooms should appear neat with attractive spreads and curtains.
• Clean and organize basement, attic and garage.

Don’t Over-improve

Many families tend to learn to live with a broken doorknob and a cracked window. All of these little things should be fixed because no prospective buyer wants to do the things you have let stack up.

Use caution in planning major improvements that you think will enable you to get more for the house than you paid for it. Of course, an investment in a paint job where it’s obviously needed will be well worth the cost. The same is true with carpeting that is shabby enough to be a turnoff.

Most people out shopping for a house would rather plan their own major changes, and you are usually wiser to sell them the potential at a price they can afford.

Showing the House

• HOMEOWNERS SHOULD LEAVE THE HOME!!
• The television and radio should be turned off. Let the salesperson and buyer talk, free of disturbances.
• Leave drapes open for light and airiness. If it’s evening, all lights should be turned on to give the room a larger appearance and a cheerful effect.

Needed Upon Signing an Exclusive Right to Sell Agreement

• Copy of your deed and tax bill

• Plot Plan

• Information regarding your well, gallons per minute, etc.

• Septic information: date of last cleaning, location, etc.

• Note on your calendar: 30 days before closing you will need a smoke detector permit for your attorney.

Costs for the Seller at Closing

• Tax stamps

• Attorney’s fees

• Title Search

• Documentation preparation

• Escrow taxes (fiscal year ends in May). Some tax monies will be held out, depending upon closing date.

• Title V Certificate in areas of cesspools and septic systems.

• Smoke detector permit

• Contact your local Fire Department and set up appointment for your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be checked.

• The certificate you receive should be sent to your attorney as soon as possible.

• Wood Stove Permit

• Outside all bedroom areas.

• At the bottom of any stairwell.

• At the bottom of cellar stairs.

Contact Your Fire Department Should You Have Any Questions