Real Estate Forums

San Diego Real Estate · 04-22-2005, 08:55 AM

Ok folks,

Tips number 1 & 2

#1 Always provide a Seller net sheet prior to taking the listing! That way you know that the numbers will work and exactly how much negotiating room you have!

#2. Immediately after listing the home immediately order the termite report so you know exactly where you stand with the home! I would much prefer to be able to negotiate knowing the facts early on than to spend a lot of time and money only to find that the numbers wont work!

Please add your suggestions to tip 1 & 2 looking for 3,4,5,6,7, etc...

judyo · 04-22-2005, 12:32 PM

My new company tells us not to even create a net sheet! I haven't inquired why & I'll still provide it but maybe print my own up with a disclaimer. However, many years ago I did make a thousand dollar mistake on one & lost a referral client because of it. I felt awful & have never made any other mistakes.

However, I had another seller get upset because she provided me with incorrect info on what her mortgage balance was and since she wasn't netting much to begin with it made a big difference in what she expected to get at closing. Her own attorney told her I didn't do anything wrong but she left in a huff without saying good-bye at the closing. She is a "kind of a friend/acquaintance" & I'm sure she told people about the incident & blamed me. She does have a bad temper & in our group of friends there are 3 other real estate agents & the only reason she used me was because she was mad at her other good friend & knew me better than the other 2 agents. So it wasn't a great loss but I still felt bad and after that I usually don't deduct the mortgage balance.

Also, different areas have different termite requirements. We have several contracts going around in my area & some don't require them at all unless the buyer wants to pay for one. The rest require the seller to pay. IL does have termites but it musn't be as widespread as your area. This is usually ordererd by seller's attorney if required by the contract.

SEOWolf · 04-22-2005, 01:34 PM

#3 – If it is NOT required by state regulation and the Buyer does NOT want a termite inspection or a structural inspection have them sign a waiver stating that they were offered the opportunity and they declined.

In the Missouri Ozarks we don’t inspect for termites, we inspect for the amount of damage because we already know they are there.

~VegasMack

San Diego Real Estate · 04-22-2005, 10:35 PM

Mack...

San Diego is a lot like Missouri! I have sold two year old homes with Termite Damage! The Termites seem to like our San Diego weather as much as we do

SEOWolf · 04-25-2005, 03:20 PM

The termites are bad here, but as I pointed out, even if the Buyer or Lender does not require inspections we as them to sign a waiver.

Same thing on structural and well inspections.

It is amazing how short some memories become when problems pop up after the sale.

It’s good to just have all of your Ducks in a row.

~VegasMack

San Diego Real Estate · 04-27-2005, 03:43 PM

Mack...you are so right you cannot be to careful in todays world!

#4 Always prepare Property Flyers with Color Pictures and have several on site! I always put a Flyer box on my sign in the yard as well as one inside in a Display Stand! I leave several Extra's on site incase the outside box runs out!

REMAX LV · 05-05-2005, 07:44 PM

#5 Always make sure the house is clean and uncluttered especially if you're going to be doing open houses.

San Diego Real Estate · 05-05-2005, 08:10 PM

#6 Give your client a coaching session on showing the home!

1. Leave if others are viewing the home!
2. Always keep the home well lit!
3. Keep Entrance in a very clean and orderly condition (First Impressions)!

Any more???

HHI Golf Guy · 05-05-2005, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by San Diego Real Estate

#6 Give your client a coaching session on showing the home!

De-personalize (is that a word?!) the home. If there are a lot of family photos and such around the house, pack them up for the next move. This also includes packing up knick knacks and mementos.

This sounds cold, but the objective should be that the buyer can pictures themselves and their belongings in the home.

Also, spend a few dollars on landscaping. Buy a few bags of weed n' feed to green up the lawn, and plant some new flowers. Nothing fancy, even a new bed of pansies will suffice.

Have your sellers watch Sell This House on A&E television. They show how to accomplish a lot for just a little $$$.

Las Vegas Real Estate · 05-14-2005, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VegasMack

#3 – In the Missouri Ozarks we don’t inspect for termites, we inspect for the amount of damage because we already know they are there.

~VegasMack

Mack, you crack me up... that's a good one.

HHI, you bring up some excellent points on preparing a home for sale. De-Cluttering is HUGE. And there's another great TV program called "Designed To Sell" on HGTV (Home & Garden Television) where the team works within a $2,000 budget to get the home ready for an Open House. Boy, the difference between the before and after is always amazing. Watching a few of those shows would be a good tutorial for prospective sellers!