TIPS FOR BUYING
& SELLING A HOME
PARTNER WITH A PROFESSIONAL.
Partners are important in any relationship, especially when you are buying or selling a home.
A Broker/REALTOR® should be your number one partner in any real estate transaction.
Characteristics of the right Broker/REALTOR®:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Honesty
Integrity
Knowledge
Responsiveness
Communication skills
Strong negotiation skills
The right Broker/REALTOR® will provide you information
on homes and neighborhoods in your local market that are
not always accessible to the public.
Buyer’s Checklist
LENDERS, PREAPPROVAL & CREDIT SCORE
mortgage rates from several lenders to see
n Compare
what package works best for you.
questions!
n Ask
preapproved. When receiving offers, sellers will
n Get
often ask how qualified the buyer is to purchase. Having
a preapproval letter can show that you are capable
of purchasing the home. It can also be used to your
advantage when competing with multiple offers.
your credit score. Credit score is one of the
Monitor
n most important
factors in qualifying for a loan.
not apply for credit cards or make large purchases
n Do
during the home buying process. Your credit will be
checked multiple times before settlement.
SHOP FOR THE PERFECT HOME
WANTS VS. NEEDS
time by doing your homework and work with a
n Save
Broker/REALTOR®.
your wants versus needs based on your budget.
n Organize
Broker/REALTOR® will arrange showings based on
n Your
your criteria.
PERFORM INSPECTIONS
n Inspections are a vital part of any real estate
transaction.
Types of inspections include home, septic, water, radon,
chimney, wood destroying insect report and lot survey.
These inspections will provide the buyer with any defects
of the property.
inspections, the buyer and seller can negotiate
n After
repairs, if necessary.
FINAL WALK THROUGH, INSURANCE &
CLOSING
final walk through is arranged through your Broker/
n Your
REALTOR®. The objective of the walk through is to
ensure the condition of the property has not changed
since your last visit. It will also confirm all agreed upon
repairs have been completed.
ers insurance and get the coverage
Research
n that works homeown
best for you.
for closing costs.
n Budget
buyer’s mortgage lender will provide the Closing
n The
Disclosure three business days before settlement for
review.
HAPPY CLOSING DAY!
4
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EMERALD ISLE REALT Y
Seller’s Checklist
REMOVE CLUTTER, DEPE
RSONALIZE &
ORGANIZE
n Removing clutter can help buyers envision their
belongings in your home. It can
spacious appearance. This will also create a more
help the buyer focus on
the quality of the home.
n Depersonalize by removing overly personal items such
as family portraits, children’s
sporting/exercising equipment artwork, knick-knacks, toys,
counter contents.
n Storage space is one of the most and
important selling points.
Organize your closets to app
organized closet will present ear neat and tidy. An
ample amount of storage
space. Storage space is one of
the most important
selling points.
ELIMINATE BAD ODOR
CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN S &
n Pay attention to smells. Pet and food odors are very
offensive to buyers.
n Fill the home with pleasing scents. Clean from ceiling
fans to baseboards and
rywhere in between.
n Make your home sparkle eve
!
WORK ON YOUR HONEY-D
LIST
n Remember all of those “little thin O gs”
you have been
meaning to fix? Focus on thin
doorknobs, replacing broken gs such as tightening
tiles, replacing dated
fixtures, repairing leaky faucet
s, patching nail holes and
freshening wall paint.
n Painting is one of the most inexpensive ways to refresh
your home both inside
out.
n Repair any major defect and
s such as broken windows or a
leaky roof.
n You want your home to be in the best condition possible.
Think about investing in a pre
-home inspection to
determine any unknown defect
s and make repairs before
listing your home.
CURB APPEAL = GOOD FIR
ST IMPRESSION!
n Make sure the exterior of the hom
e is clean and
well kept. An untidy appearanc
make buyers think the inside e from the outside will
s similar.
n Painting can give the exterior look
a clean, crisp look.
n Make the entrance of the hom
front door color, adding a wre e inviting by updating the
ath and potted plants
along the walkway.
n Pressure washing the home, decking and any concrete
can make a big differen
the appearance.
n Manicure the lawn, trim ce bus in hes
and remove weeds.