Thanks for allowing us to list your home!
What’s next?
Some FAQs:
How can I help my house to show well?
Keeping your home clean and tidy is the BEST way to help it to sell! Also, de-cluttering is of the utmost importance! Limit the amount of personal items/collectibles in your house so as to not distract potential buyers from what you want them to do—to focus on your house! Remove as much furniture as you can from your house to help it to appear larger. Remember that the outside is the FIRST thing that potential buyers will see, so curb appeal is very important.
What do I do when someone wants to show the house?
Try and accommodate all showings. You never know when a request to show will end up being “the one who buys”. LEAVE the home approximately 10 minutes before the showing appointment. If you are able, please turn on all the lights (including lamps). Please make sure that you lock the door and if the agent shows up while you are there, ask them to open the lockbox and get the key from there to unlock the door. Unlocking the lockbox is the only record that I have of who was in your home and that protects you.
Will I receive feedback from the showing?
We always contact the showing agent for feedback within 24 hrs of the showing. Usually the agents are good about responding, and we will send you any feedback. Sometimes they don’t. We will reach out to the agent a 2nd time for feedback if they don’t respond.
What do I do if someone comes to my house and asks to see it?
Don’t do it! You are putting yourself in danger, plus you could possibly be ruining a potential sale. Point to the sign in your front yard and tell them that they need to call either their agent or call the number on the sign to schedule a showing.
If an offer is imminent, should we still show the house?
Yes! A property is either sold or available—there is no in between. However, if there is an accepted contract that contains a contingency and backup contracts are invited, then this must be made clear and the house should be shown.
What if nobody is looking at my home?
There are several reasons that showings slow down. One of the biggest reasons is time of year. However, if it is a good market and you aren’t getting showings, it could be one or more of the following: price, condition, and location. Those are the three biggest factors in selling a home. If there is something about the house that is an issue and can’t be fixed—such as slope of the yard, too many steps, not enough bedrooms, floorplan, location, etc—there is nothing else to do other than reduce the price or wait it out until the right person comes along. The Travis Team does our best to present your house in the best way to the public, but ultimately it comes down to those three things.
Yay! We have a contract on the house… now what?
The buyer will schedule a home inspection if they have indicated that in the offer to purchase. We will notify you of that date. Plan on being gone during the entire home inspection. The inspector and buyer will want privacy when discussing issues regarding your home. Following the home inspection, the buyer’s agent will present a list of concerns that the buyer has regarding the home. We will discuss the requested repairs and reply to the buyer’s agent.
What if the purchaser asks me to repair things that I’m not willing to repair?
Firstly, any repairs (per the real estate purchase agreement) need to be done by a licensed VA contractor unless agreed to by all parties. We will work diligently to come to a resolution regarding home inspection repairs. If we are at a standstill and can’t come to a resolution, the contract may have to be terminated. If the purchase contract is contingent on a home inspection, the purchaser may terminate the contract and receive their good faith deposit back. In the end, it is best to weigh out the pros and cons. Yes, it may cost you a little more money than you planned for repairs, but you have to weigh out if it is worth losing the sale and putting the house back on the market.
What happens if the house does not appraise?
Occasionally, a home doesn’t appraise for the sales amount. If that happens, the purchaser’s lender will not approve the loan. In that case, unless the sales price is changed, the contract will be terminated and the buyer will receive his/her good faith deposit back.
What expenses can I expect at closing?
You will be responsible for the commission. Please understand that the commission is based on the SALES PRICE not the NET PRICE. You will also be responsible for unpaid property taxes, grantor’s (government) sales tax, a small closing company fee, deed preparation, pest inspection, well/septic inspections (if applicable), deed recordation fee, etc. All of those items will be paid from your proceeds and the closing company will issue checks to the different companies, government entities, etc. immediately following recordation of the deed.
Do I have to be present at closing?
If you aren’t able to be at closing, we can ask to schedule an appointment with the closing company at a different time prior to the buyer’s signing. If you are out of the area, the closing company will need time to get the deed to you (it has to be notarized and then over-nighted back to the closing company), so please let us know once we get a ratified contract about where you expect to be on the closing date.
When do I need to be out of the house?
Do not plan on spending the night at the house the night before closing. You (and your possessions) need to be out of your house 24 hrs BEFORE closing so that the buyers and their agent can do a “walk-through”. At that walk-through, they will be checking the appliances (they must be in working order), heating/cooling system, water, etc. The house needs to be completely empty and clean when the buyers come for the walk-through. The golden rule should apply—“Do unto others….” Do not turn off utilities until the day after closing.
What conveys with the house?
Anything that is attached to the home stays with the home at closing—blinds, curtain rods, shelving units that are attached to the walls, light fixtures, ceiling fans, etc. If you have something that you don’t want to leave—such as a sentimental light—then you need to go ahead and change that out ASAP, or we need to make sure that the MLS sheet informs potential buyers that it won’t be conveying.