our home may be your single biggest investment and one of the largest financial transactions you'll 'ever make. So when you sell, you want to get the best price and the most favorable terms. But there's much more to marketing a home than placing a classified ad in the newspaper and anchoring a "For Sale" sign in the front yard. There are a myriad of marketing options, legalities and details that go into the sale, from the time you set the price to the final closing.

Using a Windermere agent to sell your home

The best way to make sure you sell your home for the best price, and in the shortest amount of time, is to work with a professional Windermere agent. I'm educated in every aspect of the transaction, from writing an offer to negotiating the price, arranging financing and following the transaction through to escrow.

• I know the market and will help you set the right price.
• I also know what buyers are looking for and the financial incentives that will encourage them to buy.
• I am a member of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a service that enables me to provide detailed information about your home to the thousands of other agents assisting buyers.
• In addition to the MLS, I interact with other agents on a daily basis. We trade information about new properties and match eager buyers with the right homes.
• Windermere's nationwide referral system provides me access to the large number of people who relocate each year, increasing the pool of qualified buyers for your home.

I can quickly separate the qualified buyers from the rest of the pack. This saves you time because your home is only being shown to serious buyers

Preparing your house for sale

A clean, neat home in need of few or no repairs will sell faster, and at a higher price, chan one that is run down. To give your home its best possible presentation, perform a mini-makeover before your home is shown to potential buyers. Then, do a final walk-through with your Windermere agent to make sure no details have been overlooked. Here's a list of tips that will help you make your home more attractive. Some of the items below will be part of a buyer's inspection and may need to be repaired or replaced as part of the transaction. As your agent, 1 will discuss these important items with you.

Exterior:

• Remove peeling and chipped paint; replace with a fresh coat.
• Clear gutters and downspouts.
• Make sure tnere is good exterior lighting and all walkway lights and front door lanterns work.
• Remove any moss from the roof.

Yard:

• Mow and trim grass; re-seed and fertilize where necessary.
• Prune all overgrown trees and shrubs.
• Remove or replace dead or diseased plants, shrubs and trees.
• Clean grease and oil stains from driveway.
• Weed flower beds.

Decks/Patios:

• Paint or stain worn areas in wood decks.
• Remove grass growing in concrete cracks; sweep off debris from shrubs and trees.
• Clean all fencing and make sure it's secure; replace missing slats or posts.

Front door:

• Polish the hardware on the door until it shines.
• Add a fresh coat of paint to get rid of nicks.
• Clean the glass on the storm door; make certain die screen is secure.
• Make sure die doorbell operates properly and there are no squeaks when the door opens and closes.

Windows:

• Clean ail windows-inside and out.
• If needed, add a fresh coat of paint to the window trims and sills.
• Make sure all windows open and close easily.
• Replace cracked windowpanes and those with broken seals.
• Make sure window screens are secure; replace any screens with holes or tears.

Entry:

• Clean entryway floors and area rugs.
• Downsize clutter in entry closet to give the appearance of spaciousness.
• Double-check entry lighting to make sure it is operating.

Living room/dining room/family room:

• Give the room a fresh coat of paint, if necessary.
• Repair cracks and holes in ceiling and walls.
• Make sure all wallpaper is secure.
• Repaint any woodwork that is worn or chipped.
• Clean draperies and blinds; open diem to maximize light.
• Make sure draperies and blinds open and close.
• Wash windows.
• Steam-clean carpets. Clean rugs and wood flooring and remove any stains or odors.
• Position the furniture to showcase the size and space of the room.
• Remove and replace any attached items, such as chandeliers and draperies, that you wish to move with you.
• Put away toys and hobby supplies; remove extra magazines and books from tables.

Kitchen:

• Make sure countertops and sinks are clean and stain-free.
• Fix dripping faucets.
• Organize pantry and cupboards so they appear clean, neat and spacious.
• Make sure the refrigerator and freezer are defrosted and free of odors.
• Clean the oven and cook-top thoroughly. Bathrooms:
• Make sure sinks, tubs, showers and countertops are clean and free of stains.
• Repair any leaky faucets.
• Remove grout and soap stains from tile.
• Replace any missing or cracked tiles or grout.
• Make sure all joints are caulked.
• Make sure all fixtures, including heat lamps and exhaust fans, are operating.
• Install a new shower curtain.
• Store all supplies like toilet paper, shampoo hordes and cleansers.

Bedrooms:

• Repair cracks in ceiling and walls.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint if necessary.
• Make sure wallpaper is secure.
• Clean draperies and blinds; open them to maximize light.
• Put away toys, clothes.
• Neatly make up the beds.
• Remove any evidence of water penetration or dampness.
• Get rid of musty odors.
• Cean furnace and drains.
• Clean furnace and drains.
• Make sure light fixtures are operating.
• Arrange storage area in a neat and organized manner.
• Sweep floor.
• Make sure stairway handrail is secure.

Tidy extras:

• Plant flowers to brighten a walkway and enrich the entry.
• Remove any indoor houseplants that are brown or losing their leaves.
• Remove all fixer cars, campers and boats from the property.
• Discard the clutter of magazines on the coffee and end tables.
• Hide or get rid of worn-out throw pillows.
• Replace shower curtains and invest in a matching set of towels in the bathrooms.
• At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting. Buyers often drive by homes they are considering at various times of day.

Showing your home

Once your home is ready to show, your Windermere agent will begin marketing it to potential buyers and other sales associates. If possible, leave the home when buyers are present so they feel comfortable asking their agent candid questions. Other helpful tips include:

• Remove pets. Take them with you or keep them penned in the yard or garage.
• Open shades and curtains to let in light.
• Turn on enough lights so the home is well lit.
• Remove clutter from tables and bookshelves. Neatness makes rooms seem larger.
• Put away items in the yard like garden tools, bicycles and toys.
• Light a fire in the fireplace to create a cozy atmosphere.
• Grind up part of a lemon in the disposal to add a fresh smell to the kitchen.
• Keep radios and TVs off, or on a low volume.
• Keep money and other valuables, as well as prescription drugs, out of sight.

Purchase and Sale Agreement

Once you've found a buyer for your home, I will work with you through the purchase and sale agreement. This is the contract in which you and the buyer outline the details of your property transfer. The purchase and sale agreement usually consists of the following pages:

• Earnest money receipt
• financing addendum
• Inspection addendum
• Conditions/disclosure addendum
• Contingency addendum-when appropriate
• Addendum outlining special conditions
• Lead-based paint notification-when appropriate
  In selected areas, the following forms will also be a part of your agreement:

• Agency disclosure
• Property disclosure form completed by the property seller

Home Inspections

Once a buyer has decided to make an offer on your home, it will usually be contingent upon a professional inspection of the entire property-including improvements. The home inspector looks beyond the cosmetics to make sure that the home's general systems operate properly. The inspector will also look for large repairs that are needed and report on the condition of the home.

The standard home inspector's report will review the conditions of the home's heating and cooling system; interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; foundation, basement and visible structure. The inspector will also look for cracks in cement walls, water stains that indicate leakage and any indication of wood rot.

A home inspection also points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape.

As your Windermere agent, I'm familiar with home inspection services and can provide you with a list of names from which to choose. Another good way to find a home inspector is to ask a friend, or perhaps a business acquaintance, who has had a home inspection and can recommend a home inspector they were satisfied with.

Remember, no home is perfect. If major problems are found, I will help you negotiate through the process.

Settlement - who pays what

Daring the negotiation stage of the transaction, a mutually agreed-upon date fot closing is determined. "Closing" is when you and the buyer sign all the paperwork and pay your share of the settlement tees, and the documents are recorded. Settlement obligations vary widely due to specific contract language, local laws and customs. Prior to closing, the closing agent (usually an escrow or title company or attorney) will complete a detailed settlement statement for both buyer and seller. As your Windermere agent, 1 can help you understand which of the following typical settlement fees apply to you.

Seller Receives:

• Utility deposits held by gas, electric, cable, telephone and other companies
• Prorated portion of pre-paid property taxes
• Prorated mortgage interest from payments made during the current month
• Fuel rebate for oil or propane remaining in storage tank
• Net proceeds after seller's share of expenses is paid

Seller Pays:

• Brokerage commission (the sum or percentage of the sale price previously agreed upon by the seller and real estate agent)
• One-half of escrow or legal fees paid to the attorney or escrow company for preparing the closing (In California, the party paying escrow fees varies from county to county.)
• Document preparation fees
• Recording and notary fees
• Title search and title insurance (paid by cither the seller or the buyer)
• Local transfer taxes, if any
• State taxes, if any
• Repairs or inspections seller has agreed to pay for