BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO SELL
The sale of a house often involves that a new house has to be bought. When you have decided to sell the house it is a good idea to consider your wishes for a type of house, where you would like to live and which price level that will fit your economy.
The real estate agent is always helpful if you need any advice. If you have not already found your new house you can be listed in “The buyers card index of the house” and in that way receive help to find the right house as soon as possible. It is also a possibility to advertise your present house at the web site of “the house” and inform the buyer that the house can first be taken over when the buyer and you together have found your new settings. In that way you enough have time to find your new dream house while we sell your present house.
HOW TO CHOOSE A REAL ESTATE AGENT
When you have decided to sell your house you make arrangements with one or several real estate agents.
It will, of course, be of a great importance. which real estate agent, who can offer you to sell your house to the best price, but there is also other conditions that you have to consider, because there is in fact great difference in what each real estate agent can offer while selling the house – and what service the real estate agent can offer to make the house trade a safe and secure experience.
THE FIRST ARRANGEMENT WITH THE AGENT
When you have decided which real estate agent or agents you wish to value your house, it is time to make an arrangement. At the first arrangement the agent will tell you about the house and different papers and documents, which have to be used in relation to the sale. During the arrangement you also make an agreement about what to be done in the house before it is being set to be sold and what the deal includes (washing machine, refrigerator etc.). It is usually a good idea to repair small damages right away because even small things can have an influence on the buyers decision.
AGREEMENT OF PROMOTION
When you have made your final decision you can make an agreement of promotion. An agreement of promotion is an agreement between you and the real estate agent, which is a documentation of the things that the agent is allowed to do when he/ she is to offer your house for sale.
You have to make sure that the following things are being met:
o The agreement has to be in writing and include a time limited (maximum six month with possibility for extension for up to three month at a time).
o The agreement has to contain the agents fee and what the agents fee is, if the agreement stops before the period has run out. The rest of the expenses related to the sale have to appear clearly of the agreement.
THE PREPARATION OF THE SALE
When you have sign the agreement of promotion, the real estate agent starts to prepare the sale. A lot of things have to be investigated and at lot of information have to be gathered before the sale can move on. The real estate agent makes enquiries from the land registry, the local authorities. Additionally there has to be taken a photo of the house in which the house will be introduced as good as possible in the store, in advertisements and on the Internet.
SIGN FOR SALE
The real estate agent can offer to set up a “sign for sale” by the house. A “sign for sale” can turn out to be a great tool for selling as a lot of the potential buyers are looking for house in the neighbourhoods where they would like to live. It also happens that neighbours call people they know to inform them about the sale.
PRESENTATION
The presentation of the house is most often done when a buyer approach the real estate agent and make an arrangement for a view of the house. In most cases the real estate agent will be present during the presentation, but it some times happens that you are doing the presentation yourself of practical reasons.
It is the exception which makes the rule.
When the real estate agent is present it is an advantage if you are either not at home or you recede into the background and only intervene on direct feeding. The sales work is especially one of the real estate agents specialities.
You do not give it a lot of attention in your everyday life, but when you sell a house, a lot of small things makes a big difference. That is what our experience from many sales shows. It is not unimportant if the house and the garden looks good when a possible buyer takes a look at the real estate. We have gathered a line of useful advice and hints:
o It is important that the house appears neat and orderly. Clean the windows if necessarily, wash thee floor and dust, so the rooms seems clean and light.
o It is very common to lose interest for gardening when you have to sell your house. But arrange that the lawn are mown recently and the flowerbed are rinsed for weed. The impression all together of the house are crucial to a good sale.
o The house has to appear comfortable and pleasant. Make a little extra effort. Green plants and beautiful flowers will elevate the spirit. Make sure the light works in all rooms.
o An empty house misses live – in spite of how charming an well-kept it seems. Your furniture, carpets and curtains will give the house atmosphere – and make it easer for the buyer to see the positive possibilities in the house. Therefore it is an advantage if your house, as possible as it can be, are furnished until the house is sold.
o Pull the curtains and make sure the house do not seems closed. A bright daylight makes the house seem charming. Light increases the feeling of well-being in all people.
o Air well before the presentation. Airing will all alone freshen up. A lot of houses have a special “smell” which is not necessary the buyers taste.
o A lot of people are afraid of animals. It is a good idea if the dog is not walking freely at the presentation. Furthermore the dog can steel the attention from the real matter for the buyer which is to get a good and positive impression of the house.
o Let the real estate agent have the opportunity to be alone with a possible buyer. All buyers have a criticism of some kind but most people will not say it, if the owner is standing nearby. In that way the real estate agent can miss the possibility to refute the criticism at the spot, and the buyer maybe loose the interest for the house. The real estate agent knows that criticism can be an expression for serious interest.
OFFER OF PURCHASING/CONTRACT OF PURCHASING
When a buyer has arrived, the deal can be carried out in two ways. Both of you can make an arrangement at a real estate agent, where you can discuss the last details, after which both of you sign the contract of purchasing. Or the buyer signs the contract of purchasing on his one and until it has been accepted by you, it is called an offer of purchasing. The offer contains the terms in which the house is to be sold. Hereby you can sign the offer of purchasing or make a counter offer.
BEFORE THE DAY OF ENTERING
Before the day of entering, it often happens that the buyer and seller arrange to meet in the house where you can talk about practical things as: Where to find the main stop cock to the water? Electric meter? Where to find the switch to turn on the light in the roof? At the same time you often make an agreement about which things the buyer could be interested in taking over (or buy for a small amount of money), for example the curtains or a special lamp which fits especially this house.
FINAL SETTLING
When the final deed is registered, the deal is finally settled and you can get your profit of the deal released.
It is hard to judge how long it takes to finish a deal of property. Normally it takes two to tree months from the time you have sign the contract of purchasing to the entering into the house is done.
PRACTICAL ADVISES
When the house is sold there is some practical things you need to remember. After selling you old house, a moving into a new house often follows and it is comforting if you can get an overview of the situation within short time. We have made a memorandum that you can use if necessary. Remember to:
o Order a reading of the electric meter and water
o Leave instructions and possible guarantee certificates for the white goods as the new owner will take over
o Collect keys from family and neighbours having a sample and hand these over to the new owner of the house
o Order a movement of the telephone number in good time
o Order removers
o Order possible workmen to make sure the house is ready for moving in
As soon as you know your new address and a possible telephone number it will be practical to tell friends and family, but also remember to tell:
o Your employer
o Newspapers, magazines (weeks/month)
o Electricity and water
o Societies and clubs
o Credit and account cards
o Doctor and dentist
o School and kindergarten
o Insurance companies
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