Say you’re interested in learning more about home theatre systems, even though you have no specific plans to buy one. Wouldn’t it be nice to talk to an expert – without feeling pressured to make a purchase?
Of course it would.
That's why I always make myself accessible to my clients. I may not be able to help much in the area of home theatre systems, but I can answer your questions about the local real estate scene.
For example, you may be curious about homes currently available for sale in a particular area. You may also be wondering how much your current property would sell for in today’s market.
I consider it my job as your Realtor to be the expert you can trust – during moves, and in-between moves. So when you want to talk to your expert, don’t hesitate to give me a call, I'm here to help!
Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record
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Understanding the Costs of Selling a Home
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If you’re planning on moving, you’re probably focused on how much your new home is going to cost. However, it’s also a good idea to understand the real costs associated with selling your current property.
In fact, there are some costs and expenses you may not have anticipated.
Here are a few examples:
Home inspection. You might think you’ll only need a home inspection for a home on which you’ve made an offer. However, it might also make sense to have a home inspection completed on your current property in order to identify potential issues that might get in the way of a sale. Buyers feel more confident when considering a home that has had a recent professional inspection.
Cancellation costs. There may be extra expenses associated with cancelling internet services, newspaper subscriptions, home security systems, and even lawn care services.
Repairs. You should budget to get any maintenance issues, such as a broken door handle, dealt with before your home goes on the market.
Staging. Tasks like getting rid of clutter, arranging for the carpets to be professionally cleaned, having the hedges trimmed, and doing other things to make the property look attractive to buyers all fall under the umbrella of “staging”. You can do much of this work yourself, or hire a professional.
Moving. It’s a good idea to budget for the costs of moving. Even if you’re using a friend’s truck and planning to do most of the packing and hauling yourself, there may still be costs, such as packaging materials, gas, and perhaps even pizza for your crew.
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The Offer With Strings Attached
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You put your home up for sale. You work hard to make it look attractive to potential buyers. Then, you finally get an offer.
But there’s a catch. The offer comes with a string or two attached… a couple of “conditions”. Should you be worried?
First of all, don’t panic.
It’s common for offers to come with a condition or two. Sometimes an offer is conditional upon the buyer securing appropriate financing, or your property passing a home inspection.
These types of conditions are usually dealt with in just a few days and then the offer becomes firm. (In other words, you’ve likely sold your house!)
However, there are some types of offers that can be worrisome. For example, a buyer may make an offer to buy your home “conditional” upon him selling his current home in a specific time period. Of course, there is the concern that the buyer won’t sell his home. Then the deal will fall through and you’ll have to put your home back on the market.
As your Realtor, I can help you decide if a particular offer is worth accepting. |
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You visit a garage sale on a sunny Saturday morning and find a bicycle that you think would be perfect for your child. You look at the price tag and it’s about twice as much as you would expect to pay. When you question the owner, he says, “That bike has a lot of sentimental value for me. I couldn’t let it go for less.”
Chances are, you’ll pass on the bike. The owner sees the bike and happily remembers teaching his daughter to ride it. What you see is just a bike! You can’t buy someone else’s memories.
This scenario sometimes plays itself out in real estate. A homeowner has fond memories of his home. He may have renovated the den himself and is proud of his work. He may delight in memories of family BBQs on the deck.
That doesn’t mean the house will sell for more than its market value.
So when you put your property on the market, make sure emotions don’t get in the way of pricing it properly.
Fortunately, memories will stay with you, even without your house. You’ll be able to happily take them along to your next home.
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