Selling A Home In Branson, Missouri

Over 5 million homes are sold each year and since the last decade, new seller disclosure statements, environmental concerns and intensive form agreements have emerged on the scene.

It's certainly become more complex than it use to be. If you’re thinking about selling, here’s some great advice to keep in mind.

Think About It

Take a good hard look at your house. Do you really want to sell? If so, you'll need to begin disconnecting yourself from the emotional attachment to your home. Get yourself psyched about moving in order to begin a new chapter in your life.

Select A Realtor®

You may not like the idea of parting with a percentage of your home's value, especially when you're facing the prospect of getting less than you dreamed of. And with the Internet making do-it-yourself sales easier than ever, you may be tempted to dispense with an agent. But in a sales environment, marketing is everything, and an experienced agent — that is, one who has actual marketing skills — is invaluable.

A Realtor® will prepare a market analysis on your home to help determine its value and price to list. Once your property is on the market, they’ll (literally) drive people to it. They’ll steer you through the tortuous sales process, by negotiating terms and handling the inevitable glitches that crop up. All while evaluating and tracking marketing and closing costs so you don’t lose your shorts in the process!

Good Reasons Why You Need A Realtor®

• A real estate transaction is complicated. In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes.
• Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a strong market, homes in our area stay on the market for an average of 90 days. And it usually takes another 60 days or so for the transaction to close after an offer is accepted. Real estate has its own language. If you don't know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it's important to work with someone who speaks that language
• Realtors® have done it before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. That’s why having an expert on your side is critical. Realtors provide objectivity. Since a home often symbolizes family, rest, and security, not just four walls and roof, home selling or buying is often a very emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they'll every make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you keep focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you.

Items To Clean, Fix Or Inspect

Once you’ve decided to sell, determine what needs to be repaired, cleaned, painted, or donated. Gerken & Associates view numerous homes a month and can provide suggestions that are comparable to your marketplace.

Improvements should be consistent with your neighborhood and does not involve high capital investments.

Small cosmetic improvements, including paint and landscaping will help show your home better and hold the price. Below are some easy things to fix that take little money or effort, but will help sell your house faster.

• Align and clean gutters.
• Paint the front and garage door if needed.
• Check all appliances for working condition.
• Trim trees, hedges and flowerbeds.
• Repair dripping faucets and showerheads.
• Inspect and replace any damaged roof shingles.
• Check for dampness in the basement and attic.
• Spot paint door and window trim.
• Examine siding and caulking for any peeling.
• Re-seal cracks in asphalt patios or driveway.
• Clean chimney.
• Replace broken or cracked windowpanes.
• Inspect plumbing systems.
• Repair damage to plaster, wallboard and tiles.
• Power wash vinyl siding.

Get It On The Market

Markets tend to provide balance between buyers and sellers all year around. There may be fewer buyers in December, but there are likely fewer homes available as well. Thus home prices fall or rise due to demand patterns, rather than the time of year. Owners are encouraged to sell their property once it is ready and have acquired professional services of a local Realtor®.

Great Ways To Speed Up Your Sale

• Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property's realistic price range.
• Get your house market-ready for at least two weeks before you begin showing it.
• Be flexible about showings. It's often disruptive to have a house ready to show on the spur of the moment, but the more often someone can see your home, the sooner you’ll find a buyer.
• Be ready for the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you'll find acceptable.
• Don’t refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer, be prepared to lower your asking price.

Showing Your Home

Many sellers consider the marketing period one of the most stressful parts in selling a home. Everything about your life is on display to the public.

In just the brief period that buyers view your place, all kinds of judgments are passed upon your home. Here are some simple tips to increase a successful showing of your property.

• Add a flower pot near the front entrance.
• Control barking or intrusive pets.
• Keep walkways clear of ice, snow and debris.
• Give potential buyers time to explore.
• Water and maintain your yard.
• Keep garage door closed.
• Stay flexible with showing times.
• Keep a spacious look both inside and out.
• Eliminate offensive odors.
• Store motorcycles and unused cars off site.
• Leave home during the showing.

Terms To Watch For In A Contract

• The closing date. See if the date the buyer wants to take title is reasonable for you.
• Date of possession. See if the date the buyer wants to move in is reasonable for you.
• The earnest money. Look for the largest earnest money deposit possible; since it is forfeited if the buyer backs out, a large deposit is usually a good indication of a sincere buyer.
• Fixtures and personal property. Check the list of items that the buyer expects to remain with the property and be sure it's acceptable.
• Repairs. Determine what the requested repairs will cost and whether you're willing to do the work or would rather lower the price by that amount.
• Contingencies. See what other factors the buyer wants met before the contract is final—inspections, selling a home, obtaining a mortgage, review of the contract by an attorney. Set time limits on contingencies so that they won’t drag on and keep your sale from becoming final.
• The contract expiration date. See how long you have to make a decision on the offer.

Hang Tight

Once you have an offer agreed upon your house, the rest is all down hill, especially if you have a Gerken & Associates agent to represent you.