San Diego Homes for Sale

Things to do a Year Before You Sell


12 THINGS TO DO ONE YEAR BEFORE

YOU SELL YOUR HOME...

 

 

 

An orderly sale of your home begins long before a "For Sale" sign is placed in the front yard.  The financing, ownership, family needs and the condition of the home should be analyzed in advance to ensure a smooth sale ahead. 

 

If you plan to sell your home within the next year:

 

 

1. Have a Title Search done on your property to ensure you are aware of all liens existing and all documents recorded against the property.  The purpose is to assure transferable title.  Call your Realtor or the title insurance company who insured your property.

 

 

2. Review your current home loan:  What are the terms of the loan?  What will the loan balance be at the time of sale?  May the loan be assumed?  If so, under what terms may the loan be assumed?  Does the loan include a prepayment penalty?  If so, how long does the penalty apply and how much would the penalty be?

 

 

3. Have your Realtor® estimate the net proceeds of your upcoming sale.  Will this net be enough to meet your goals?  If not, consult with your Realtor® and financial planner for possible solutions or alternatives.

 

 

4. Have your Realtor® and Lender discuss financing alternatives that can help promote your property.  Are there any lending requirements that affect you, the seller?  What might you do to make it easier for more buyers to qualify for your home?  Examples include, owner financing, paying all or some of the buyer's loan fees, or buying down the starting interest rate on the buyer's new loan.  Your Realtor® and Lender can estimate these alternatives for you.

 

5. Look at your home objectively.  From the street:  Is the lawn neglected or are the trees/shrubs overgrown?  If so, fertilize the lawn and shrubs and cut back the trees and shrubs now, then place bedding plants while there is time for them to grow in naturally.  It can take some time for trees to fill in or plants to become established.  Keep windows clear to allow maximum natural light inside.

 

 

6. Review the outside and inside of the home for fix up, repairs and painting.  You can accomplish many of these repairs over time yourself and save money.  Check these items:

 

 

Outdoors:

Make sure sprinklers, patios and sidewalks are repaired as needed. Replace any dam­aged bricks or wood.  Repair any stucco cracks.  Repair any broken windows and replace torn screens.  Check gutters and/or roof eves for dry rot.  If you have a pool or spa, make sure it is also in good repair.

 

 

Kitchen and Baths:

Replace any leaking faucets, and replace and tile or grout if needed.  Be sure all plumbing is in working order.  Check caulking around tubs, showers and sinks.

Living areas:

Paint as needed.  Be sure drapes and carpets are clean and that blinds are clean and functional.  Be sure all electrical systems are in working order. Sort through everything in the home.  Is the item worthwhile moving?  Can it be sold? Consider having a garage sale or giving items to charity.  Pack away unnecessary items to make rooms, closets and garage seem more spacious.

 

An orderly purchase of your next home begins long before you write a purchase offer.  The financing, family needs and property location/condition should be assessed well in advance to ensure a smooth purchase ahead. 

 

If you plan to buy a new home within the next year:

 

 

7. Talk with your Realtor® and Lender to determine the price range of your new home.  Ask them about short term budgeting or planning that may improve your buying power.  Have your lender run a credit report on all persons that will hold title to the next property so that any issues/errors can be cleared well ahead of time.  We don't want someone else's bad credit on your report.

 

 

8. If you are moving to a new area, ask for a referral to a Realtor® in that area who specializes in your new neighborhood.  He/she will have valuable information about the area and market conditions. 

Also:

 

Order the newspaper for your new area and obtain a community phone directory.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce of your future neighborhood for guides to shopping, dining, services and parks.

 

Determine the location of churches, schools, medical services or any other organiza­tion that will strongly influence the neighborhood you will be moving to.

 

 

9. Get the children involved early so they will feel part of the move.  Have a family meeting and write down your needs and wants for the new home.  Get thoughts and ideas from each family member.  Determine what commute times you will accept.  What fea­tures are necessary, what can you do without?  What extras do you desire most?

 

 

10.    Arrange for transfer/move of items needing special attention; pets, valuables, motor vehicles, extra heavy items.

 

 

11.    Transfer insurance policies such as, Life, Health, Fire and Auto.  Also transfer medical records, prescriptions and eyeglass prescriptions.  Prepare for car, driver's license  regis­trations.  Contact schools for schedules, enrollment dates and enrollment requirements.

 

 

12.    As you get closer to moving day, please contact us for useful checklists and sugges­tions on your countdown to moving day!

 

Complements of:

                                        

Allen & Teresa Stowinsky

Real Estate Broker
Allen & Teresa Stowinsky