A little help on listing my house for sale?

[blonndee]

I've never posted here before but I read this group regularly and really enjoy it. I hope someone here will be kind enough to offer some advice as I prepare to sell my house.

I'm moving this summer after school is out and need to sell my house. The market for my price range is good, as there are not many mid-to-low-range houses for sale here that are in good neighborhoods and which don't need a lot of work (which mine is, and doesn't, thankfully).

I'll probably be ready to list the house in about three weeks (two, if necessary). I'm reluctant because I have dogs that have to be crated for visitors during the day while I'm gone, but I really want to get it on the market soon to make sure it sells by the time I'm looking for a new home out of state. Is there a time frame that would be more fortunate for me? I don't want to go TOO early, as I have to be here until the end of May, but I certainly don't want to wait too late.

I just thought I'd throw this out here because the other day I read a post here about farmers almanacs and the link had all kinds of listings of "good days to..." do all kinds of things! I couldn't find that link again, though.

Thanks for any suggestions! Oh, and P.S. if there are any things I can do to help give good vibes to my house and make it welcoming, I'd appreciate tips on those, too.

[elleng]

1. Cinnamon scented candles

pretend apple pie in the oven!

As for timing, sales are usually/often contingent on other family's schedule, so yours can be, too.

Ours just sold, I was rather distant from the process, and don't want to think about it. Getting an agent?

Check legal stuffs, like 'mold.' REALLY slowed us down.

Good luck.

[Sanity Claws]

4. Fragrant flowers

If you have a garden, put some cut flowers in the house.
My house was on the market in May, around the time you said you're trying to sell yours. I brought in flowers from the yard -- tulips, lilacs, whatever was in my yard at the time. The bouquets were very homey looking, nothing fancy -- essentially lilac blooms and other flowers stuck in water. The realtor said it was a nice touch. My house sold in less than 3 weeks but that was in 2007, when the market was still good in that part of the country.

[blonndee]

7. I'll do that too! My kitchen table needs a centerpiece, anyway.

The market here is okay, but I want to get everything as close to perfect as possible to make the house stand out to the buyers.

[blonndee]

6. That's a good idea. I'll get some "homey"-type candles like that.

I just painted the kitchen over spring break, and it looks great. There is more work that needs to be done. I'm trying to do a little every day.

[elleng]

14. That's for open houses in particular.

Agent said so.

[Why Syzygy]

15. My only concern

for doing that is that so many people are chemically sensitive these days. I've had jobs with the public that prohibited the use of any scent.

A former boss told me his house sold because he put a loaf of that freezer bread in the oven.

[elleng]

16. Whatever works.

Bread's ok with me!

[I Have A Dream]

17. Good point, Syz. I'm allergic to some flowers and some scented candles.

My husband would not even go into the house if there were scented candles burning. I do love them both though.

I like the bread idea also. :)

[Why Syzygy]

18. There was a time

when just walking down the candle aisle at the grocery set me all runny. I'm fine now, but for whatever reason went through that sensitive stage. Also, when I was interviewing roommates, one prospect wouldn't even come inside because she smelled my incense. And, a friend and I used to sit in the yard when he visited because of my cat!

Pleasant smells are definitely a selling point, though! Very limbic :D

[vanboggie]

20. Depends on the candle

Real estate agents are actually a target market for a "green" candle line I sell, especially the bakery scents. They're clean-burning, natural wax-based and more easily tolerated by many people. I used to get headaches from most scented candles myself, so I understand why some people avoid them. My niece used to shy away from candles, too, but can burn these. Not selling here, just educating...there is a difference in candles in the way they perform and affect people.

[I Have A Dream]

21. Thanks for the information, vanboggie.

It's good to know. :)

[vanboggie]

22. Kind of funny

I've become The Great Candle Defender! I used to be so normal. :freak:

[I Have A Dream]

23. Yeah, but who wants to be normal?!!

:D

[vanboggie]

24. Right!

We wouldn't be in this forum if we were normal. We're special. :fistbump:

[Delphinus]

2. I would recommend

a smudging of your house.

I also think you need to send a thank you to your house, releasing it on to its new owner. Call in the house's next rightful owners and truly feel gratitude for the life you shared with the house.

[blonndee]

8. I like that idea. I've been pretty negative about living here

since I haven't had a good experience in this town. But the house itself is nice, and I need to change my attitude to one that is more appreciative and loving.

[northernlights]

3. I'm in a similar situation

I'm hoping for my move to come over the summer -- can't move until the semester ends in May and need time to find new digs. The smudge and the thank you to the house sound like good ideas. How long does it take to get mortgages these days? I'd think at least 6 weeks between contract and closing, but who knows?

I spent my spring break scrubbing top to bottom. And I've also been removing clutter as I go. Once the visible clutter is gone, then I'll start packing stuff that's inside cabinets and closets. All that's left of the big cleaning is the floors -- once they're done (today or tomorrow) then I'll bring in some realtors.

Although the buyers set the time frame, you can have some input. I don't know where you are, of course, but in this market how fast are houses moving, anyway? It seems reasonable to expect at least 6 weeks for a sale to happen and another 6 weeks to closing.

[Sanity Claws]

5. From contract to closing

Two years ago, closings were expected to occur within 30 days of contract. Of course, things may be different now.
If you, as the seller, need more time, you can negotiate for a lease back for a couple of weeks.

edited to correct typo

[northernlights]

12. don't know if that holds today

It was still easy to get a mortgage 2 years ago. Who knows today, lol. It could be shorter or longer, while the banks run the buyers through the mill.

I just remembered someone in my chemistry class closed on his first house a couple months ago. I know he was moaning about how many hoops they had to jump through. I'll ask him next time I see him how long it took to jump them.

[davsand]

9. Can't do a thing to help with the astro part but I do know a bit about real estate.

You are correct when you talk about the market still being fairly solid for the "starter" houses (as some realtors like to call them.) I have NO idea what area you live in, but I will tell you that in my local market houses like you describe yours as being are still selling and (more important) they are selling a decent price.

You may want to consider having an appraisal done on your house prior to listing it for sale. If you do that it can head off disappointment on down the road when it comes to what the house is worth in the current market. There are a lot of realtors out there who benefit a great deal when you can produce a current appraisal on the property to help set the asking price. An added benefit to having an appraisal done is that many appraisers do look for (and will report) stuff that might be an issue on the property--like mold or peeling paint on the front stoop (FHA gets kinda sticky with stuff like peeling paint and if it is important to your buyers to go FHA that may be something you want to correct some afternoon PRIOR to listing the house for sale.)

I also want to encourage you to contact a lawyer NOW--BEFORE you list the house with anyone. You are signing a contract when you list that house and the attorney is there to protect YOUR interests without a commission being a part of the discussion. I'm not bashing realtors here, but ANYTIME you are buying or selling real estate your first call needs to be to the lawyer.

Good luck with your changes!


Laura

[northernlights]

13. how do you pick a good lawyer?

I had duds at *both* ends when I sold my condo and bought this house. And last year I talked to a "B" rated lawyer from Martindale.com, who told me on the phone I had no case, but then changed her tune and dragged me to her city an hour away. Where she spent an hour telling me again that I had no case...and then tried to sell me a piece of land. :eyes:

So now that's 3 duds in a row. My good attorney retired several years ago when the real estate market was so hot she couldn't take it any more. (She told me she was tired of trying to read, evaluate and modify faxes with an hour's notice, and tired of crazed clients losing it and screaming at her.)

[FirstLight]

10. Energetically...try St. Joseph

I have seen it produce results... you do a blessing and bury a small statue on the property and the house will sell in record time!

My folks used on the family home...and even after the house was vandalized, the buyers still wanted it.
look up St Joseph & real estate

[blonndee]

11. Thanks! I'll look that up.

I have had good results from asking St. Anthony for help, and my dogs have St. Francis charms on their collars. I hadn't thought of a similar idea for the house.

[all.of.me]

19. I'd list it as soon as you can.

A closing takes 6-8 weeks, especially if buyers are getting an FHA or other govt loan, which is really common these days. I'd expect 30 days if you have a cash buyer and your survey is current.

Price your house to sell, don't leave much room for negotiating. Buyers are looking for bargains, with all the foreclosures around. They and agents look at houses as soon as they go on the market, so make sure it is priced right and picture perfect when you list.

Buyers are really picky these days, so expect to answer a lot of questions.

Good luck!