Ed Watts

Items needed for the sale of your home.

A Survey of the property.

Keys to the property.

A list of improvements to the property (and dates, if possible) since purchased, or in the last few years.

A list of items you wish to have excluded from the sale.
Unless specifically noted, all window treatments, light fixtures, appliances, and attached shelving will be included and stay with the home.

In addition, for condominiums:

A copy of the Condominium Declaration and Bylaws.

Rules and regulations for the condo association.

Association budgets and financial statements for the current and prior calendar year.

Name and phone number of Association Board President or one of the Board Officers.

Name, phone number and address of the Management Company and Manager (if building is professionally managed).

Minutes from the association's meetings for the past 12 months.

Some buyers only know what they can see - not the way it is going to be.  My objective is to sell your home for the best possible price in the shortest possible time!  Here is how you can help:

First impressions can spark a buyer’s interest when they approach your home. Have your yard looking neat and trim, grass cut and edged, shrubs trimmed.  In the winter, have walks cleared of ice and snow.  Your front door and doorway should be clean and freshly painted, if necessary.  Polish the hardware and be sure the locks work easily.

Fresh decorating can add dollars to the value of your home.
Faded wallpaper, soiled walls, scratched woodwork detract from the good impression you want to make.

Windows should sparkle and let light into your house! Have your windows washed inside and out, and keep them clean while marketing your home.  All shades and blinds should be open when your home is being shown.

Making repairs.  Now is the time to tighten that loose doorknob - see that the sliding closet doors work smoothly - take care of the screen door that sticks - fix the leaking faucet - oil the door hinges and the fan that rattles!  These are minor items that may not have bothered you, but a fresh set of eyes will see these as signs of neglect, even though you may have been a careful homeowner.

Your kitchen is an important focal point. Countertops should be clean and free of clutter.  Pack away items and appliances to show as much clear counter space as possible.

Thoroughly clean your oven or stove.

Wash your dishwasher interior, particularly the inside of the door and gasket so it is free of stains and food particles.

Have your refrigerator freshly washed and polished inside and out.

Clear out your cabinets to make them look as spacious as possible.

Sinks and stovetops should gleam.

Bathrooms are another vital area - a little attention will be well worth the effort! Repair caulking in the bathtubs and showers.

Clean grout and ceramic tile, so it shines and is free of soap film.

Clean and polish bathroom fixtures.  Here, again, sparkling is the operative word.

Closets are important to all buyers. Neat, organized closets look larger.  Remove items that can be stored elsewhere.

Basement, garage and other storage spaces should be cleared out to show all the space available. Remove unnecessary articles.

The basement may profit from a coat of light, neutral paint to brighten the area.  Check to make sure windows are clean.

Clean the exteriors of the furnace, water heater and other appliances.

If there is a damp odor, pour some bleach down the drains. 
Use "plug-in" air fresheners in electric outlets.

I will supply you with information regarding similar types of property that have sold recently.  In addition, we will review our "competition," or other similar types of property that are currently on the market.  From this information, I will suggest a price range but remember, you will decide the listing price.

When buyers start a house search, they usually do so with price boundaries in mind.  If you set your price over one of these "break points" you may eliminate a whole group of buyers.  With this in mind, the best agents are candid about price from the beginning.  Houses that are well-priced from the start sell more quickly and for a better price than those that are overpriced.

The greatest number of showings usually happen in the first weeks the house is on the market because agents as well as buyers want to see the "new house."  If you discourage showings during this prime period because of an inflated asking price, you may never do as well again.  Market time is important.  Generally, the shorter the market time, the higher the selling price.