About Henrico County, VA

I am beginning to get calls from people who are thinking of putting their house on the market next year. Their question is usually " What should I do now?".

Call a Realtor today. There are two reasons for doing this:

• You can get opinions and suggestions on what needs to be done to get your house ready to sell.

Your Realtor should go through your house with a fine tooth comb. Talk to you about what you are planning on fixing, and make you aware of problems you may have overlooked.

• You can get an idea of what your home might sell for today. That gives you a good starting point, and with some people an eye opening experience. More than likely you will discover your home would sell today for less than you thought.
• You also get an idea of what your Realtor is going to expect from you to sell your house. A good Realtor will care enough to take time to give you good advice, create a to do list, and even contact contractors and others on your behalf to help you get the jobs completed. Often I even meet the contractors for the homeowner due to work or understanding what needs to be done.
• Your Realtor should bring all paper work that you will be signing so you can read them, ask questions, and be prepared when the time comes to list or purchase a home.
• You need to know what houses have been selling for, how many days have they been on the market, how many have been taken off the market without selling. What are the trends in your neighborhood? What does your Realtor see happening in the next six months that would change the price you are given today?

After getting all of this information you have several choices:

1. Stay where you are and don't do anything (Not a good idea!)
2. Start to get your house ready to sell! De-clutter, paint, fix things that are broken, and update items to add appeal to your home.

It may take time to get your home ready to show from both the inside and outside and you may wonder if the time and energy is worth it. But when your house sells it will all be worth the effort you put out!

When listing your home ask yourself one simple question - Do I want to list my house, or do I want to sell it?

Interviewing Realtor after Realtor until you find one that will list your house for the price you think it is worth will do several things:

• Frustrate you because you will not get an offer
• Frustrate you when the Realtor suggests lowering the price after months on the market
• Bring in the low ballers because your house has been on the market a long time.
• Keep you in your house instead of selling it!
  

As a fisherperson, I like to think of a fishing analogy when listing a home. When I go fishing I plan on catching a fish. I put the bait on my hook, and throw it into the water. More times than not it is that first cast that a fish will attack. Often I thrown in my bait and the fish scatter. The same thing happens with a house. Listing it at the right price brings in the buyers,and you sell.

Anyone can list a home, but rely on market statistics and current trends to sell one!

Now that you know what you are looking for in a home you need to ask yourself the next set of questions:

• How long will I live in this home?

Most people stay in their homes 5- 7 years before moving. If you think you may be moving again in 2 years or less it may be better to rent than buy a home.

There are many costs incurred with purchasing a home. If you plan on moving sooner than 2 years you probably will not recoup many of these costs making it a questionable decision to purchase a home now.

• What changes do you see in your life in the next 7 years?

Whatever you see yourself ,or your family, doing in 5-7 years think about what your home will need to have to allow those changes. Will schools be important to your family? Proximity to bus lines, hospitals, or airports?

• Have you looked at your financial future?

Sit down and think about your finances. Where do you spend money, how do you save money, and what should you change? If you are living beyond your means, a lender is not going to take the risk of loaning you money. If you have, or had, financial problems in the past learn how to change those problems in the future. It may take some time, but you can change your spending habits so that you will be able to purchase a home in the future. But for now you may have to rent instead of buy a home.

If you have saved money, spend wisely, and have a plan for your future lenders are going to love you! And now is a great time to purchase a home

Today I was watching Good Morning America on ABC. Nina Garcia was being interviewed by Diane Sawyer about her new book The Style Strategy. In her interview she said there were three questions you need to ask yourself before going shopping. Although speaking about clothes her questions can apply to any type of shopping. Applied to purchasing a home get out a piece of paper and write down the answers to the following:

• What does your current home offer that you like?

It may be location, it may be a first floor bedroom, or it may be a laundry room on the second floor. Schools, shopping, friends. Get out a piece of paper and write down what your current home offers.

• Ask yourself what you really need in your next home.

Do you need a yard big enough for three Saint Bernard's? Is a garage necessary? Do you need to be on a bus line? What is it that you have to have and why? Lower tax assessment - whatever!

• And then write down what you would like to have in your next home.

These are the things that would be nice to have. Perhaps it is a double sink in the kids bathroom, or two closets in the master bedroom.

Now that you have these written down when you look at houses you can compare the house to your answers. What works, what doesn't, and why. Doing this helps keep emotion our of purchasing a house and reminds you of what you really need for your situation

Finally! A house came back on the market that was in the right price range, and apparently offers everything my client wants! Checking the MLS I called the owner, as directed by the Listing Agent, to set up an appointment. When the answering machine picked up I excitedly requested showing the house the next evening.

No return call.

Called again, and left another message

No return call.

Waited a day. Called and emailed the Listing Agent and requested his aid in seeing this home. (Here is where is gets good) After three days he forwards my email to his assistant.

Another day goes by.

Assistant leaves voice mail reply telling me to call owner.

Hmmmm

Call owner again and he picks up!!! YEAH! Here is the conversation:

"I would like to show your home this evening at 6:30"

"That is not possible, I have children and we cannot show the house in the evening"

"My client works from 8-5 when would be a good time to show it?

" I can only show it on the weekends"

"Okay, would 2 on Saturday be okay? "

" No, only Sunday after 11 and before 3".

I set up the appointment for Sunday at 2.

Now I see why it is "back on the market" instead of sold. To save others the aggravation I will contact the Listing Agent so he can put the information in the Agent comments. I wonder if the information will be added...I will wait three days and see.

P.S. This is NOT a discount broker