SELLING STRATEGIES
PRE-SALE INSPECTION AND WARRANTY
You may consider getting a pre-sale evaluation of your home from a qualified home inspector to save you time , money and heartache . You ’ ll end up with a list of repairs that you can address before you try to sell your home . Now is not the time for major improvements . We want to maximize your return on investment by increasing the saleability .
A comprehensive home inspection combined with a home warranty reassures buyers that the property is in good condition and that certain repairs will be covered by insurance . Make copies of these documents for Buyers to take with them .
DECORATING ALLOWANCE
Sometimes it pays to offer an appropriate allowance ( for re-carpeting , wallpapering , or painting ) to a buyer who likes everything , but has different taste in decor .
LEASE OPTION
This allows a buyer to rent the property for a period of time with an option to buy . A percentage of the rent is set aside as the buyer ’ s down payment while you use the remainder to cover your mortgage . To increase the likelihood of a sale , put at least 30 percent of the rent toward a down payment .
SELLER FINANCING
Seller financing is most advantageous if you have substantial equity in the property . Options include buying down the mortgage rate , putting funds in escrow to cover several months of mortgage payments , and carrying back a second mortgage to help a buyer cover a down payment . Before you offer financial assistance to a buyer , consult your agent and a real estate attorney . Additionally , make sure the buyer is creditworthy .
CLOSING COSTS
You can offer to cover non-recurring closing costs , such as prepaid interest charges or the first year of property taxes . Paying points is an attractive incentive that you can also use as a tax deduction . Most lenders limit the amount of closing costs you can pay , but this can make a difference for cash-short buyers .
AN ORIGINAL PUBLICATION | HUGHES REAL ESTATE GROUP OF SILVERCREEK REALTY GROUP | 11