• Decide which items are to be moved.
• Select a moving company to perform your move.
• Start to use up items that are not easy to move, such as frozen foods.
•  Contact the municipal offices of the community to which you are moving to acquire information.

Six Weeks Prior to Moving Day

• Inventory and evaluate your possessions.
•  Compile a list of everyone you need to notify about your pending move using the Change of Address Checklist provided herein.
• Make arrangements, if required, to store specific items.
• Contact doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, accountants and schools to obtain copies or transfers of personal records, transcripts and, where possible, referrals.

Four Weeks Prior to Moving Day

• Notify post office of your new address and arrange for mail to be forwarded. Complete and post all Change of Address cards
• Arrange for special transport for your plants and pets
• Arrange to disconnect or transfer responsibility for utilities and services at your existing home.
• Arrange to connect or assume responsibility for utilities and services at your new home
• Confirm loading and delivery dates with your chosen moving company. Purchase packing boxes for those items you intend to pack yourself range your personal and family travel plans
• Arrange to close, transfer and/or open all financial institution and brokerage accounts to your new community
• Prepare a list of issues and open activities that need to be addressed prior to your moving day

Two Weeks Prior to Moving Day

• Collect clothing items to be cleaned or repaired
• Send out area carpets and draperies for cleaning and have them delivered to your new home
• Collect items loaned to others and return those borrowed
• Conduct a yard sale and/or give away unwanted items to eliminate that which you don’t wish to move
• Draw up a detailed floor plan of your new home, clearly indicate the positioning of all furniture, fixtures and chattels, and then provide a copy to your moving company and anyone assisting with your move
• Arrange for baby/pet sitting, if required, for moving day
• Arrange for insurance coverage for your new residence and all items placed in storage.

One Week Prior to Moving Day

• Set all items aside that you intend to transport yourself to your new home
• Prepare “DO NOT MOVE” cartons for items you intend to transport yourself to your new home
• Take down and/or dismantle curtain systems, blinds, shelving, build-ins, etc. if moving company is not responsible for performing same.

One Day Prior Moving Day

• Clean stove, oven and microwave
• Empty and clean your refrigerator and freezer
• Complete packing of personal items
• Set aside all personal and “DO NOT MOVE” cartons that you intend to move yourself. Get a good night’s sleep.

Moving Day

• Ensure that someone in the “know” is present at your existing home to answer questions and address issues as they arise throughout the packing and moving process. The movers will make note of the condition of your goods on a master list. It is your responsibility to make sure it’s accurate.
• Conduct a final inspection of all appliances to ensure they are clean and in proper working order
• Record all utility meter readings, and then verify the accuracy of your notations. Review and sign all copies of bills of lading for the moving company. Ensure your new home address and emergency contact numbers are correctly noted on these documents.
• Provide a detailed map as to how to get to your new home to the moving company driver and confirm his understanding of same
• Thoroughly clean all rooms, closets, the basement, and the garage in your existing home as the movers remove its contents
• Conduct a room by room inspection of the entire home and walk around the property to ensure all items that were to be moved have been, that all doors and windows are closed and locked, and that all lights, fans, and water faucets are shut off
• Contact insurance agency to confirm that you have vacated your existing residence. Notify your landlord or real estate sales representative and lawyer that your existing home is now available for vacant possession.

Taking Possession of Your New Home

• Ensure that someone in the “know” is present at your new home to answer questions and address issues as they arise throughout the moving and unpacking process. Review you floor plan with the moving company foreman.
• Examine all items as they are unloaded and check off each against your inventory list to account for all transported items and their condition upon arrival. Arrange to have appliances installed, where applicable.
• Arrange for the assembly of all items dismantled prior to being moved. Verify the condition of all items moved noting any damage prior to signing off on moving company’s final documentation upon completion of the move. 

Change of Address Checklist

• If you set your price too high, then the chance of alienating buyers is higher. 
• You want your house to be taken seriously, and the asking price reflects how serious you are about selling your home. 

Several factors will contribute to your final decision: 

• First, you should compare your house to others that are in the market. 
• If you use an agent, he/she will provide you with a CMA. The CMA will reflect the following: 
  • houses in your price range and area sold within the last half-year
  • asking and selling prices of houses 
  • current inventory of houses on the market 
  • features of each house on the market 
• From the CMA, you will find out the difference between the asking price and selling price for all homes sold, the condition of the market, and other houses comparable to yours. 
• Also, try to find out what types of houses are selling and see if it applies to your area. 
• Buyers follow trends, and these trends can help you set your price. 
• Always be realistic, understand and set your price to reflect the current market situation. 

• What is a listing agreement?
• What is the main idea about this agreement?
• Why should I list with a REALTOR®?
• How much should I ask for when selling a property?
• What different tools does a REALTOR® have to help me sell my home?”
• What is a public open house?
• What if my house isn’t selling?
• If I get an offer, should I accept it?
• What if I’m asked to give the buyer a current survey? Do I need to?
• Do I need a lawyer? If I do, what is their role?

What is a listing agreement?

• The process of selling a home with a REALTOR starts with the Listing Agreement.
• It’s a contract between you and the brokerage company that the agent represents.
• It is a framework for subsequent forms and negotiations.
• It’s important the agreement accurately reflects your property details and clearly spells out the rights and obligations of all parties.
• Both you and the listing agent sign the listing agreement and each receive a copy.
• The agreement binds both parties to its terms and conditions.

What is the main idea about this agreement?

• Generally, in the agreement you appoint the brokerage company as your agent and give its representatives the authority to find a purchaser.
• The duration of the agreement is indicated, and the compensation is specified.
• The agreement also sets out the listing price, and accurately describes the property you are selling. That will include the lot size, building size,
• building style and materials, floor areas, heating/cooling systems, room sizes and descriptions.This is when you must also decide what you are taking with you and what you are leaving with the house.
• Generally, unless stated otherwise, fixtures remain with the property, while chattels — things which are movable — aren’t included in the sale. If necessary, what stays and what goes are listed under “inclusions” or “exclusions.”

Why should I list with a REALTOR®?

• One advantage of listing with a REALTOR is that only a REALTOR is able to place your listing on the MLS® or Multiple Listing Service ®, which is the co-operative listing system operated by local real estate boards.
• When your listing is placed on the Multiple Listing Service®, the information about your property is shared with all other REALTORS accessing MLS®, and all REALTORS have the opportunity to sell your property.
• This type of cooperative effort will result in the listing agent offering compensation to the selling agent.
• Your property gains more exposure, because it reaches the majority of the real estate professionals in your community.

How much should I ask for when selling a property?

• One major issue for anyone selling a property is how much to ask for.
• Although you may have an idea of how much your house is worth, it’s important to have your home valued by a professional on its own merits.
• Be careful not to price yourself too high or too low. If it’s too high, there’s no sale; too low and you lose on your investment.

what different tools does a realtor have to help me sell my home?

What is a public open house?

• You and your listing agent will pick the time and date for an open house. In order to give the agent access to your home, you may wish to keep a key at his or her office, or in a lockbox.
• The second type of open house is a public open house, where members of the public are invited to walk through your home and have a look. It’s an efficient way to show your home to many potential buyers at once.
• The listing agent will act as host, answering any questions.
• It’s also a good idea to ensure that any valuables are put away in a safe location, then leave while the open house is underway.
• If you do stay, be sure to keep out of the way, and turn off any TVs or radios to let the agent and the buyer talk in peace.

What do I need to do to prepare my house for an open house?

• Needless to say, clean counts with open houses.
• A general rule is that clean, uncluttered and well-lit spaces look larger and more attractive.
• People will naturally want to buy a house that is clean and well cared for.

What if my house isn’t selling?

If I get an offer, should I accept it?

• Once a buyer is found, you’ll be receiving an offer that will detail how much, specify any conditions that may apply or be attached by the buyer, say when the buyer would like to take possession, and when the offer expires.
• As an act of good faith, the buyer will make a deposit with the offer.
• You don’t have to accept the offer as is. You may wish to make a counter offer that comes part-way to meeting the offer’s conditions.
• The counter offer is one more step along the way to negotiating the final terms and conditions of the sale
• The offer, once signed by everyone, is a binding contract.
• Make sure you understand and agree to all of the terms in the document. You may want to have it reviewed by your lawyer before signing.

What if I’m asked to give the buyer a current survey? Do I need to?

• Finally, the Listing Agreement also details the financial conditions of the property, including the mortgage balance, mortgage monthly payments and the mortgage due date.
• It should also provide information about annual property taxes; and references for any easements, rights of way, liens or charges against the property.
• A REALTOR has the research and expertise to provide a market assessment of what similar properties in your area have sold for.
• They can also provide information on market history, such as the number of properties sold in your community the previous month or year.
• Before closing, especially if the buyer makes it a condition of sale, you may be asked to provide a current survey, or a “real property report,” showing the location of the house is on the property owned by you and that there are no encroachments.
• You may also have to prove that you have title to the property (the buyer’s lawyer will check this out when he or she conducts a title search to see if there are any liens on the property, easements, rights of way or height restrictions).
• Especially in rural areas, you may also be asked to provide a certificate for a well or septic system, stating the system meets local standards

Do I need a lawyer? If I do, what is their role?

• Then on or before closing day, lawyers representing you and the buyer will set up a trust account for the money coming from the sale and will pay off any mortgages you owe on the property.
• After these are paid, you will receive any money you have coming from the sale.
• You must deliver the property deed or transfer documents, mortgage details and keys to your lawyer.
• Your lawyer will register the mortgage discharge and transfer the deed at closing
• Your lawyer should also ensure that you receive compensation for prepaid expenses such as, property taxes, electrical or gas bills, or if applicable, any heating oil left in your tank.
• Some lenders will make it possible for your mortgage to be portable, so you can take your mortgage with you when you move to your new home.
• The buyer may also make the purchase conditional on an inspection by a qualified engineer or inspector.

• What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker?
• Why should I use a real estate salesperson?
• What is the responsibility of the real estate broker to me?
• What do I need to decide when I’ve decided to buy a home?
• How will a real estate broker help me find my dream home?
• How do I decide my price range when buying a home?
• Once I find a house I like, what would be the next step?
• What will I need to bring with my offer? 

Buying your House

Once I find a house I like, what would be the next step?

Once you find the house you want to make your home, you can work with a REALTOR to develop an offer. In the offer, you should specify how much you’re willing to pay. State when the offer expires, and suggest a closing date for the transaction. You can also propose some conditions on the offer. Some common types of conditions are:

• getting a suitable mortgage (include the amount, interest rates and any other figures you feel important);
• selling your current home (the seller may continue to look for a buyer, but will give you the right of first refusal);
• the seller providing a current survey, or a “real property report,” showing the location of the house on the property owned by the seller and that there are no encroachments
• the seller having title to the property (your lawyer will check this out when he or she conducts a title search to see if there are any liens on the property, easements, rights of way or height restrictions)
• if there is a septic system, the seller should have a health inspection certificate, stating the system meets local standards
• if you still have any doubts about the home’s safety and construction, you may wish to make the purchase conditional on an inspection by a qualified engineer
• if you still have any doubts about the home’s safety and construction, you may wish to make the purchase conditional on an inspection by a qualified engineer
• any inclusions – basically, what stays and what goes. 

 What will I need to bring with my offer? 

You will need to present a deposit along with your offer. An appropriate deposit will show your good faith to the seller. The seller’s agent is bound by law to bring all offers to the seller’s attention.

Here is what every home seller should know when decides to sell:

• Prospective buyer’s first impression starts  with your home when it has been well presented.
• It should not only stand out from the crowd and attract and more inspections, but can also ensure a higher sale price and easiness to sell.
• From the opposite prospective, a home that looks shabby and neglected could turn potential buyers away even before they can come for inspection.
• It is not difficult task to make proper presenting of your home. All it takes is  to keek several basic thoughts in mind.
• Simple and  inexpensive improvements such as washing dirty spots on the walls, cleaning and/or painting window  and doorframes where necessary, fixing up brokenand gates  and  fences, conducting any essential plumbing repairs and cleaning are strongly recommended.

Additional Tips to Home Sellers:

• Put yourself in the position of a potential buyer and do the following things together with your agent :
• Go through the property, starting at the front of the house, and itemise the most cost-effective improvements to make.

At HomeLife Victory Real Estate Brokerage we recommend a handfull of consulting and repair services provided by interior designers, landscape gardeners, property stylists, and amy trades people to help make these changes easily. Your education on the subject of Home Selling should start from the tips otlined below. Please do not limit youself by exercising them:

General

• Leading up to the homes front door
• Begin garden improvements as soon as you decide to sell

The Exterior 

• Up to a point, repair and repaint any part of the home that looks run down or shabby. Consider the gutters, facia, doors and windows.
• The walls and ceilings may need washing down
• Check and fix any rotten timber that’s part of stairs, railings, deckboards etc
• Generally, clean the exterior
• Bright sparkling windows and clean frames make a big difference
• This will give time for new plants or fertilised grass to get established
• Mow the grass (and the nature strip if required), weed and
• tidy up any garden beds including adding a few new plants
• Cut back overhanging branches, trim hedges and sweep the pathways
• Paint the gate and the letterbox if theyneed it
• Rake up leaves and dispose of any branches, cuttings, and debris
• Store tools and bins or arrange them tidily and roll up the hose 

The Interior

• At a minimum, remove any stains wherever they are.
• You may need to get the carpets cleaned
•  Doors and window frames should be cleaned and painted if required 
•  Most buyers will be visiting more than one home on the same day so it’s competition time
• The following finishing touches will help ice the cake:
  • Make sure the home is warm in winter and cool in summer
  • Put fresh flowers in some of the rooms, white or coloured towels in the bathroom(s) according to the overall colour scheme and a bowl of fruit in the kitchen
  • Set the formal dining room table and set the outside table as if you were expecting guests
  • Freshly brewed coffee smells inviting
  • Make the house nice and tidy but not to the point where it looks barren and as if no one actually lives there
  • Ask a friend to look after your dog or cat and make sure the home is free from any “pet” smells
  • Hose down paths, lawn and flowerbeds
  • Relax, go and have a coffee at a friends house or cafe – leave the rest to your HomeLive real estate agent. 

Open House

• The kitchen and bathroom(s) must be spotless
• Buyers usually open and close doors, cupboards, fridges and ovens
• They inspect any appliances that are being sold with the house. These should all be clean and in working order
• In the bathroom remove any mildew and clean the grouting. A new shower curtain will be inexpensive and is a good idea
• To increase a sense of spaciousness, put any non-essential items of furniture away in cupboards and open curtains and blinds
• You can consider actually “styling” your home by hanging paintings and placing mirrors where they create a larger room size impression
• The same applies to an outside area like a patio or garden, which can be “dressed”, if necessary, with the right sort of outdoor furniture.

• The important thing to do when selling your home is to complete a Current Market Evaluation.
• Widely accepted and highly professional methods will be used to evaluate your home.
• Consultations will be provided to you for arriving to the appropriate and correct price for your property.
• Please look through this website for additional information and to view our listings.
• Working with me will ensure that you will be receiving the best professional service.

Free Home Evaluation Request 

• I will provide you with a free evaluation of your home.
• A complete market analysis report along with recent and similar properties sold in your area will be sent to you upon request.
• By providing me with the most complete and accurate information, you will be given the most accurate market value of your home.
• The information that you provide to me will be entirely confidential and will be used only for home evaluation purposes.
• The information that you provide will not be released to a third party without your permission.

Evaluation of Your Home                               

• Once you make the decision to sell your home, you need to know what the current  market value of your house is.
• As a complimentary service to you, we will provide you with an accurate evaluation of your home and the market price for the property if it were to be listed today.
• This is a no obligation evaluation and it will provide you with a current evaluation of your property whether you are planning on selling now or in the future.
• Please fill out the form below and we will provide you with an evaluation of your home right away.

Our Home Market Evaluation will show:  

• what’s happening in the local real estate market right now
• what buyers are willing to pay for homes similar to yours
• what they won’t pay
• which homes will be competing with yours for buyers’ attention

• Myth: You need great credit to become a homeowner.
  Fact: You may still be able to buy a home with less-than-perfect credit. And remember, you can improve your credit over time.
• Myth: You need to put 20% down to buy a home.
  Fact: There are many types of mortgage products and programs that allow low and no down payments. But remember to factor in other costs such as closing costs, property taxes, moving expenses, and repairs.
• Myth: You can’t buy a home in the U.S. if you’re not a citizen.
  Fact: If you’re a legal resident, you can purchase a home in the U.S.
• Myth: If you don’t have a bank account or credit cards, you can’t qualify for a mortgage.
  Fact: Having a bank account is always a good idea and helps you establish credit. However, lenders can approve you for a mortgage even if you don’t have a bank account or credit cards. You’ll likely need to keep records showing a history of payments you’ve made for items such as rent, utilities, and car payments.
• Myth: Lenders share your personal financial information with other companies.
  Fact: By law, banks and other financial institutions are restricted in their uses and disclosures of information about you. In some situations, you may choose to restrict the disclosure of your information if you don’t want it to be shared.
• Myth: If you’re late on your monthly mortgage payments, you’ll lose your house.
  Fact: If you have a financial hardship, like the death of your spouse or a medical emergency and fall behind, it’s possible to keep your home and get back on track if you contact your lender early.
• Myth: You can’t get a mortgage if you’ve changed jobs several times in the last few years.
  Fact: Not true. You can change jobs several times and still get a loan to buy a home. Lenders understand that people change jobs. The important thing is to show that you’ve had a stable income.

Ensure House Is Well-Built & Systems Are In Working Condition:

Mortgage lenders typically use the housing expense and debt-to-income ratios to more accurately determine how much you can afford to spend on your mortgage.

• Housing Expense Ratio
  Mortgage lenders recommend that your monthly mortgage payment should be less than or equal to a quarter of your monthly gross income. This percentage can change based on the type of mortgage you choose and sometimes the area in which you’re looking to buy.
• Debt-to-Income Ratio
  You need to factor your other debts into determining an affordable monthly mortgage payment. Mortgage lenders look at whether your total debt is larger than 30-40% of your monthly gross income. Remember, debt is not just credit cards and student loans. It can also include alimony, child support, car loans, and housing expenses.

A mortgage lender, a housing counselor, or consumer credit counselor can help you better understand these guidelines. Before you talk to a financial professional, you can organize your financial picture by creating a budget [PDF 76K ]. Don’t forget that you also have to save for the down payment, closing costs, inspections costs, moving, and other related expenses.

What are the benefits of homeownership?

• Tax savings.
  You may earn significant tax savings because you can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes from your federal income tax and many states’ income tax if you itemize your deductions.
• A more stable monthly housing expense.
  Your monthly housing loan or mortgage expense can remain the same for the life of your mortgage, depending on the type of loan you choose.
• Equity.
  You may build equity in your home over the life of your loan, which allows you to plan for future goals like your child’s education or your retirement.

Homeownership is not right for everyone. It may not be the right time in your life or you may not like the commitment associated with owning a home. Here are some differences between renting and homeownership:

• Renters are typically free from maintenance obligations such as repairs or lawn care.
• Homeowners often have more freedom in decorating, landscaping, etc.
• Renters can move more easily and more quickly than homeowners and there are higher costs associated with buying and selling a home.
• Homeowners have a financial investment and may build equity in their home.