South Berwick, ME

Lockboxes - most real estate agents use them. Some are electronic, some combo (think school locker). There are various reasons to use them from ease of access for other agents showing the property to the agent always knowing where the key is. They are attached with a heavy shank to the door, side wall or fence. This small metal box becomes home to a key or two. The electronic ones can track the name of the agent who used it and what time they entered the property.The electronic lockboxes can also be programmed so that they only open at specified times. Or they can be programmed to open 24hours.

Why use a lockbox? Well, motivated Buyers do not want to wait to see a house or maybe your agent can't make it to all the showings on the new listing. They help by keeping a prospect motivated to see your house without the extra effort of picking up keys. If Buyers can't inspect a home at their convenience they just might move on to another house. Especially true for the out of town relocators on a tight schedule.

Even with an electronic lockbox, simple precautions should still be made to the home. Thefts are not commonplace, but even still, it is wise to eliminate temptation.

1. Lock up or remove firearms.
2. Never leave money in plain sight - this includes piggy banks and bottles of pennies.
3. Remove extra keys from hooks in the kitchen, garage, mudroom or any other room they can be seen and picked up.
4. Turn down the volume on any answering machines. You do not want someone to overhear personal information.
5. Consider storing furs and jewelry somewhere else. Put the fur in storage and the jewelry in your safe deposit box.
6. Remove all prescription medications from the cabinets. People do open the cabinets. You want that asthma inhaler to be there when you need it!
7. Don't leave any items around that can tip off a person that you will be away. This includes calendars, theater tickets, itineraries for your next plane flight, etc.

All real estate agents should go through a check list with their Sellers to make sure the process goes smoothly and the house gets sold!

(c) 2009 Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty Portsmouth NH

Everyone wants to get as much for their home as possible when putting it up for sale. Often I hear Sellers say they "Want To Try It Out At X Price" or "We Need Room to Negotiate". Both of these thoughts can cost a Seller thousands of dollars in wasted time and lost dollars in the final sale price. The temptation to test the market can be great, but over pricing, and even accepting a bid at an inflated price, has a definite downside.

Overpricing Leads to Diminished Interest - Two things bring this about. First all the Agents in the area recognize it as an over priced listing and are reluctant to bring their Buyers to the party. These agents are not going to risk their credibility with their Buyers by showing them properties not worth the price. And secondly, an over priced home becomes stale on the market. Sitting while the initial 3 weeks of interest fades and costing the owner in holding costs and delays in their move.

Overpricing Leads to Fewer Offers - Buyers told want to insult a Seller with a "low ball" offer. They feel very uncomfortable submitting a realistic bid when there is a large difference between asking price and market value.

Overpricing Leads to Financing Problems - If we can't get it to Appraise we can't sell it in today's tightened market. No underwriter is going to take the risk plus Appraisers are clamping down on their valuations to avoid getting caught in a declining market.

Overpricing Leads to the Wrong Buyers - Buyers will be comparing your home to all the other on the market in the same price range. Those that are properly priced at market value will make your house look like a dissapointment and waste of time. The other properly priced homes will have more amenities, better conditions or updates. The Buyers who are qualified for your home will never see it on the internet because it will be too far out of thier price range. And when you finally drop the price they may have already bought.

"Price it High To Start and Then Drop It" is a strategy full of risk. When you finally do drop the price the potential Buyers and Agents can smell desparation and need to sell. Or they will think something is wrong with the property. Eventually your property will sell but at how much of a loss when you take in to consideration carrying costs and time lost. Are you now carrying two mortgages, paying ongoing expenses like property taxes and slowly losing a potential profit.

How do you keep from overpricing a property - stick to the facts and dump your emotions out of it. Ask your professional real estate agent what has sold that is similar to your home as it is. That's what the Appraiser's are going to be looking at. Just the numbers and the facts are all that really matter. Work with your agent to develop a comprehensive marketing plan that will generate interest from the moment your home hits the market. Try to stay unbiased and realizes that selling a home is business not feelings. The first three weeks are crucial so don't let the temptation to overprice seduce you away from getting a high price, quickly.

Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty Portsmouth NH

www.RealEstateSeacoast.com

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South Berwick Maine, home of the Strawberry Festival the end of June. This is an outstanding local event. Lots of activities and food sales put on by local non-profit groups - a real down home festival. A great way to help support the local little league, soccer groups, boy scouts, etc. And in my favorite way of supporting - by eating! A good number of crafter's also make this event worthwhile. The strawberry shortcake is piled high on biscuits from Fogarty's and real whipped cream. I like to eat one helping of shortcake before going to find other snacks like lobster roll or shish-ke-bab and then come back for a second helping!

The winter market was very slow this year with only 7 homes sold in South Berwick. Last year there were 14 homes sold during the same period of time. But the good news is that 11 homes are curently under contract. Also, the average sale price increased this winter over last winter - it was $229,827 in 2007 and $266,377 in 2008. But it did take 19 days longer on average to sell a home - 120 days vs. 101 days.

There are currently 52 homes for sale in South Berwick Maine, raning in asking price from $118,900 to $499,000.

Interested in living in South Berwick Maine? Search MLS

Visit The Seacoast Sold Report for more information on South Berwick and surrounding towns.

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Closing day is right around the corner. You have worked through the home inspection, appraisal and final mortgage details - only one detail left - the walk through. Is it important to take the time to do this with so many other moving activities going on? The final walk through allows the Buyer to reconfirm the condition of the house prior to closing. Usually this happens 24-48 hours before the closing. Often the walk through happens on the way to the closing. Don't skip this important step because this is your last chance to verify that all agreed on repairs have been made, that the appliances you expect to be there are still there and that the personal belongings you don't want have been removed. To guarantee your right to a final walk through you may need to have your agent put a clause in the purchase & sales contract when you present the offer.

Don't assume anything. A lot can happen between having your offer accepted and getting to the closing table. Anywhere from 30-90 days can have gone by and in the mean time the Seller has been moving out of the house. So much can happen especially during the Seller's actual move. Even putting it into the contract that certain items will stay or be repaired doesn't insure compliance. Put everything that you want into the contract including appliances, window treatments, plantings, sheds, certain lighting fixtures, and more. Stored items and debris can get forgotten in the busyness of the move. Stored stuff, paint and debris can easily be forgotten or simply not taken care of. For the Sellers it has become out of sight - out of mind.

Occasionally, some Sellers may not live up to the agreement. Don't have regrets later that take away the thrill of getting the keys by not taking this simple step. Timing is everything when taking your final walk through of the home. It needs to be close to the settlement date but also allow time for the Seller to fix any problems that have come up. It is best to have the walk through after the Seller's have moved out since damage can occur during the move.

Bring someone with you along with your agent to survey the home. Use your Purchase & Sales contract as a checklist for what should be there is actually still there. Look through the basement, attic, garage and around the outside for forgotten stuff. You don't need an attic full of old mattresses our a basement full of old paint. Most Sellers will want to fix the problems that they probably overlooked in the stress of a move but they need time to get it done. After all it is in the best interest of both the Seller and the Buyer to have the sale go forward. Delays can be costly - the Buyer may have a rate lock on their interest rate that can expire or the Seller might not be able to buy their next home because they need the proceeds from the one they are selling.

If you do find problems insist on a second walk through after they have been remedied before you sign the deed. Some items can be taken care of at the closing table with a financial consideration. It may seem inconvenient but it is time well spent to protect this major investment - your new home.