Buyer Tips

Terms of the purchase agreement

Sales Price

For most home purchasers, the sales price is the most important term. (negotiable)

Title: “Title” refers to the legal ownership of your new home. The seller should provide title, free and clear of all claims by others against your new home sometimes known as “liens” or “encumbrances”. You may negotiate who will pay for the title search which will tell you whether the title is “clear”.

Action Realty offers you an extraordinary combination of local knowledge and experience, plus other resources ” all working together to help maximize exposure of your property and your proceeds from the sale.

Your Role

Why The First Five Minutes Are Critical:

Buyers inspect a number of similar homes at similar prices. They begin making value judgments from the moment they drive up to each home. Their first impressions begin with the yard, the driveway and the front door. Once inside an attractive, well maintained home, buyers can sense the presence of Pride of Ownership or its absence.

It has been said that buyers make up their minds in the first five minutes, then spend the rest of the time rationalizing their decision! For those who plan to sell their home, a word of advice: Place great emphasis on providing a home in impeccable, move in condition.

Put the spotlight on the strengths and potential of your home. Create the right mood and atmosphere given the rooms function, color scheme, etc.

Accent the positive aspects and unique features of each area of your home.

Define the space. Bring your house to life!

Is your Home Ready To Sell?

Before The Showings Begin…

  • The exterior of your home often determines how buyers will view the interior so:
  • Make sure your front entrance is clean and inviting.
  • Paint or replace your front door if it’s faded or worn.
  • Add some paint to shutters, trim and any other outside features showing signs of wear.
  • Buyers often see the surface condition of your home as a sign of what’s underneath, so:
  • Keep windows and floors clean.
  • Replace faded wallpaper and glue any areas that have come away from the wall.
  • Repair worn woodwork.
  • Repaint scarred or dirty walls in a neutral color.
  • Steam clean carpeting or replace it if necessary.
  • Repair/stretch carpeting if necessary.
  • Repair loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers, broken light switches and other minor flaws.
  • Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers.
  • Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and arrange each room to bring out its best attributes, including:
  • Open draperies and curtains to let the light in during the showing.
  • Remove all unnecessary clutter from your attic, and closets to better display spacious room (consider storage or a garage sale to dispose of extraneous items).
  • Arrange all your rooms neatly and remove excess furniture.
  • Use candles or air fresheners to make the room smell pleasant.
  • Strategically lighting your home, even during daytime showings, can create a cozy mood and highlight positive attributes of each room, so:
  • Avoid the use of overhead lighting that makes rooms look washed out and lifeless.
  • Be creative and arrange lamps to help smaller rooms seem larger, and large rooms seem more intimate.
  • Use lighting to highlight the living area of your home, such as a pair of chairs near a fireplace, or a table in a breakfast area.

After The Showings Begin…

  • Buyers often feel uncomfortable in the presence of a homeowner, so:
  • Try not to be present during inspections.
  • If you are home, never apologize for the appearance of your house.
  • Only your Certified Residential Specialist should discuss any objections and subject like price, terms, possession and other factors with the buyers.
  • Potential Homebuyers have a lot to take in, so minimize distractions.
  • Put on classical, jazz, or soft rock music, but keep the volume low.
  • If possible, turn off the ringer on your phone during showings.
  • Keep cats, dogs, litter boxes and feeding dishes out of the way-preferably out of the house.
  • A buyer tries to picture themselves and their family in your home, so:
  • Create a pleasant aroma by baking cookies or bread, or placing cornmeal in a pie plate on a warm oven on the day of the showing.
  • Keep the heat or air conditioner at comfortable levels.
  • If you have a fireplace, light it during the showings.
  • Even if a buyer doesn’t study them, having records available can make it clear you are conscientious and have nothing to hide.
  • Have copies of your gas, electric and water bill from the last 12 months available.
  • Be ready to show all home improvement and repair bills.