A buyer is looking at your home and asks a question. Be careful what you say, as it can cost you much more than you realize.

As a seller, you may find yourself at home when a buyer is looking at your home. In most cases, it’s smart to leave during the showing. If you are at home and the buyer or his/her agent asks a question, tread carefully. Here are five things to never tell a buyer. Read the rest of this entry »

10 Ways to Get a Better Appraisal

1. Meet the appraiser at the house. Take the lockbox off the door after you get a contract so an appointment will have to be made.

2. Give the Appraiser as many Comparable Sales as you have for the subject property. If it’s a property where there are few or no comparable sales, go out in a radius search until you find some. Go back as far as a year or even more if it’s a special type property (waterfront, for example). Realize that the appraiser may deduct value if the sale is further than 3 months out.

3. Call the agents for the Comparable sales to get as much information as possible for the appraiser. The house that sold down the street that needed a new roof – they need to know that, but it’s probably not in the MLS information. Read the rest of this entry »

All four of the variables go together to create the “perfect sale.” Each aspect must be taken into consideration if you want a property to sell. Read the rest of this entry »