Pensacola, FL

As the seller, you have relatively little to do at this point. Avoid common glitches by keeping abreast of progress on both sides. Of course as your Realtor I will handle all these things for and you.

Be aware if the buyer is having trouble getting a loan on the terms specified in the contract. If he/she is turned down, it could jeopardize the whole deal, and your house could be put back on the market. A day or so before closing, make sure all the necessary papers and documents have been gathered and are in the hands of the right parties.

Things can go wrong. Documents can be misplaced, delayed or lost. However, common last-minute glitches can be avoided.

• Parties who should be present at closing need to be informed of any change in the date, time or place. They should be reminded a week before closing and again the day before.
• Everyone named on the deed under which you hold title must sign the new deed by which you grant title.
• Know when and how you will be paid. Don't expect to walk away from the settlement table with a check in hand.
• If you are buying another property, consider having both closings at the same office scheduled back-to-back. That way, the timing of the disbursement is not a problem. You sign a paper authorizing the title company or attorney to assign the funds from sale to purchase.

The papers you'll need

• A copy of the sales contract and documentation showing that any contingencies have been removed or satisfied.
• All documents needed to complete the transfer of title. This may include certificate of title, deed, correcting affidavits, quitclaim deeds, survey and title insurance policy or binder.
• Homeowners insurance policy. If the buyer plans to take over the unused portion of your hazard insurance, you'll need to make arrangements in advance for all paperwork to be completed on time.
• Prorations for ongoing expenses such as insurance premiums, property taxes, accrued interest on assumed loans and utilities (if not shut off between owners).
• Receipts showing payment of the latest water, electric and gas bills.

A certificate from your lender indicating the mortgage balance and the date to which interest has been prepaid.

To set the right price on a home, combine an objective evaluation of your property with a realistic assessment of market conditions and the price of comparable sales in the neighrborhood. You can find the price of solds by looking on www.escpa,com at homes that you know have sold. Some sellers that have sold there home will tell you a higher price so as to not be embarrassed that they sold it for less than they had told the neighborhood they were getting. Also never rely on sites that advertise that then have the latest solds or that they can tell you the recent solds. These sites gather their information as far as 6 months too late and the market has changed by then.

I Suggest that clients ask 10% below market and they will get lots of interested buyers that will bid the price up. You will be dealing by strength and even if you get the asking price and no other bidders come forth, you can have the buyer pay all closing cost and still be ahead dollar for dollar.

Study the Comparables

Be cautious of either overpricing or underpricing if you rely on less-than-solid information. Know your competition. Learn the offering and selling prices of similar properties. Find out how long each took to sell.

Compare your home to others close in age, style, size, condition and location. Timing is all-important. If market demand is high, you should be able to increase the price. Sales prices of homes are published in local or regional sections of newspapers.

Get an Appraisal

Appraisal opinions are subject to honest dispute. Generally, an appraisal prepared by an experienced, licensed professional comes as close to an objective evaluation as you can get.

When you choose a REALTOR®, you will most likely sign a listing agreement - a contract in which you agree to allow the REALTOR® to sell your home during a given period. The agreement says that you will pay the REALTOR® a fee when you sell your home. Most REALTORS® are independent contractors who work for a company operated by a licensed real estate broker. (A salesman is licensed by the state to sell real estate through a broker. A broker is licensed by the state to sell real estate to others for a fee and employ salesmen and other brokers.)

The amount of compensation you pay a broker is negotiable, but the REALTOR® will generally follow the company's policy regarding compensation. The amount of the fee will be spelled out in the listing agreement. Make sure you understand how the fee will be paid before signing.

Exclusive listing
Most REALTORS® will ask for an exclusive right-to-sell listing. This means that you will owe the broker a commission regardless of who finds a buyer during the listing period. In other words, if you decide to sell the house to your cousin, your broker still gets a commission. The advantage of this kind of arrangement is that the broker is motivated to work harder to sell your home.

It's possible that a REALTOR® from another company will find a buyer for your home. In that case, your broker is the listing broker, and the second agent is the selling or cooperating broker. Many times your listing broker will agree to pay the cooperating broker a fee from the amount you pay the listing broker. Your listing broker cooperates with other brokers who procure buyers interested in your property and offers to compensate the other brokers for procuring a buyer. Cooperating and compensating other brokers is discussed in the listing agreement you sign with the listing broker.

Length of listing
The listing agreement will specify how long you agree to list your house with a company. Your REALTOR® will probably suggest an average time that homes like yours are on the market. You want a period that's long enough to motivate your REALTOR® to advertise your home and respond to buyers, yet short enough to allow you to change to a different company if you become unhappy with the REALTOR®'s service. Remember that the listing agreement is a contract. You should get a copy for your records. Your REALTOR® is bound to the terms just as you are. You can expect the REALTOR® to keep appropriate information confidential and effectively market your property.

For-sale-by-owner residential transactions are less than 15% of all home listings nationwide. According to a 2006 survey of homebuyers and sellers conducted by the National Association of REALTORS^®, 68% of respondents sold their homes through a real estate professional. Of that percentage, 8% tried unsuccessfully to sell on their own. Only 13% of respondents sold their own homes and still lost as much as they saved in commissions.

Further, the research shows that 50% of those homeowners who did successfully sell their homes without a real estate professional's help vowed never to do it again, because of the complexities and hassles associated with the transaction.

Among the major problems cited:

• Holding open houses
• Arranging for appraisals and inspections
• Understanding and filing paperwork
• Helping buyers obtain financing
• Having time to do it all

True, some homeowners may be able to save commission costs by selling on their own or using discount firms. However, people who try to sell their own homes deny themselves the benefit of a real estate professional who is trained to sell real estate on the terms most advantageous to their clients. An experienced REALTOR^® can provide up-to-date reports, and has a clear understanding of local housing market and financing options. Brokers can provide more exposure, via multiple listing services, than most homeowners can obtain on their own.

In the vast majority of cases, it takes less time (and earns the homeowner more profit) to use a licensed real estate professional when selling a home.

Charles Stallions, CRS, CSP, CBR, CDPS, - 800-309-3414, a leader in real estate investing, buying and selling. Lead Real Estate negotiator for several investment clubs as well as investors throughout the US. Call Charles for a list of references before buying or selling you what some consider being their largest investment.

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THOUSANDS OF HOMES.... One Address www.charlesstallions.com

Pensacola, Pace and Gulf Breeze Homes for sale

Looking for a home to rent, sell or buy in Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze Florida then this site was designed with you in mind. E-mail charles@charlesstallions.com for a complete list of foreclosures, short sales, homes for sale or for rent in Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze Florida area. Charles Stallions Real Estate Services located at 139 East Burgess Rd. Pensacola, Florida 32503 has a 6 member team, including experts on Loan Modifications, a Certified Residential Specialist,a Distressed Property Specialist with over fourteen years in real estate dealing in foreclosures, first time home buyer programs and investor sales. We offer full time, full service Property Management in Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze Florida.Click here to view Homes for sale in Pensacola Florida or search pensacolamls for new homes on the market.

Flat Fee of $2995 to SELL or MLS $1495 + 3 %

We offer Property Management for $50. flat fee monthly

Call Now 800-309-3414 for over the phone evaluation and NO Obligation

While recently touring home with a buyer, one home stood out in particular and for all the wrong reasons. Bikes and trikes and pets running around in the front yard, not to mention that there was two cars parked on the front lawn as well. My buyer later when ask to fill out a follow up form (I ask the buyers to respond as I am not buying your home I already have one) explained all this to the listing agent. Basicially she said that she could not get past th e front lawn.

Exhibit the Exterior

Roof and Gutters

• Repair or replace loose, damaged or blistered shingles
• Clean gutters and downspout strainers
• Check gutters for leaks and proper alignment
• Inspect flashings around roof stacks, vents, skylights and chimneys
• Clear obstructions from vents, louvers and chimneys
• Check fascias and soffits for decay and peeling paint
• Inspect chimney for any loose or missing mortar

Exterior Walls

• Re-nail loose siding and check for warping or decay
• Paint siding, if necessary
• Check masonry walls for cracks or any other damage
• Replace loose or missing caulking

Driveway

• Repair concrete or blacktop, if necessary

Garage

• Lubricate hinges and other hardware on your garage door
• Inspect doors and windows for any peeling paint
• Check condition of glazing around all windows
• Test electrical outlets

Foundation

• Check walls, steps, retaining walls, walkways and patios for cracks, heaving or crumbling

Yard

• Mow lawn, reseed or sod, if necessary
• Trim hedges, prune trees and shrubs
• Weed and mulch flower beds