Barbara Charlton REALTOR® 612-414-6721 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Southern Suburbs

It is 11:00am on a Friday, and it has been quite a week. After juggling inspections, new listings, closings, purchase agreements, dogs, cats, workouts, AND a couple of health scares from my aging parents, today is -- for once -- calm.

Hmmm. Calm. Feels weird. Good, but weird.

If you are like me, you can run full-tilt all the time. I suspect I may need to enter a 12-step program for adrenaline junkies.

And so today I give myself permission to accomplish lots of stuff....at a more relaxed pace.

Calm. I am going to try to get used to it....while it's here.

.....love the one you're with. And yes, we're talking real estate here.

As I unpacked all of our stuff in our new home, it occurred to me that this house did not have exactly what I hoped for in terms of a kitchen. Granted, the house has everything else we need or want: a huge fenced yard, big rooms, extra porches, fireplace, hardwood floors......and it's just two doors away from my parents who need help now and again. That last piece alone has reduced our daily stress to a very manageable level because we can be there when they need us.

But c'mon, how do you cram a 17'x13' kitchen, with all the accompanying flotsam and jetsam that accumulates (have you ever heard my "Bigger Purse Theory?") into an teeny, tiny 8'x7' galley kitchen?

You prune. You toss. You agonize over the salad spinner. Does it matter that you have not used it in 3 years? No? Sure you may use it (someday).

So, you prune, sort, donate, and get on with it.

I often work with buyers who want everything exactly as they dreamed. And I am here to tell you, there is nothing wrong with dreaming, but we also need to be realistic. Perfection is a frame of mind, not a place. We can adjust and find something that will BECOME perfect if there are enough other things RIGHT with the house.

What I learned is that we get along very nicely in our new, smaller kitchen. We adapted, and have started to love it. Everything is close by. I can actually FIND THINGS and SEE the stuff stashed in my cupboards. Huh.

It's not what you get in life, it's how you handle the stuff you get. So I'm gonna love the one I'm with, and just get on with life.

The other day someone asked me about potential legal ramifications of a decision they needed to make. Inside my head, this little voice said, "Wait a minute, do I look like an attorney?"

Then that little voice's evil twin. Ms. Ego, preened a little and was so flattered that they thought I knew SO much. (And that path leads to peril.)

Not so fast. I am not an attorney, I don't have a license to practice law, and I was very quick to refer them to legal counsel.

And it's true, I do know a lot.......about real estate. But, in selling homes, it is important for agents to remember that they are NOT:

• Lawyers
• Accountants
• Inspectors
• Police departments
• Air quality experts
• Mold experts
• Etc., etc.

So when your agent refers you to an expert for a bona fide answer to a specific question, remember that they are not ducking the issue, but instead are looking out for your best interests at all times.

For Sale by Owner: Six Tips on Getting It Done

Sometimes you need to sell your home, but for one reason or another, you'd like to go it alone as a FSBO (For Sale by Owner). Of course, I could give you dozens of reasons why it's better to have a listing agent, but that's a different article.

Consider these six tips as you plan for selling your own home:

Set the Right Price No amount of advertising or marketing will overcome the obstacle of pricing your home too high. Today's buyer has access to more information than ever before. They will likely bring their own agent (be prepared to pay the buyer's agent a commission), who will give them the cold, hard facts about your home's value . You have ONE chance to make a good impression.

To determine your asking price, calculate the average sales price to the list price ratio in your neighborhood. If you are serious about selling, consider an incentive. Be careful when you price: national statistics show that FSBOs average 9% less than what they could have gotten with a broker.

Create a Marketing Plan An ad, a yard sign, and word-of-mouth are a good start....but where do you go from there? With over 80% of buyers find the home they end up buying on the Internet, make sure your home is posted, with a virtual tour, on all of the websites possible. Consider Trulia, Zillow, Homeseekers, Homefinders....the list is endless. (My team personally posts our listings, with virtual tours, on over 90 websites, and it is a full time job keeping it all updated.)

Prepare Your Product Many factors impact showing your property. Consider hiring a stager to come in and help you select paint colors, declutter, and go on the market with your best foot forward. Be careful that you don't spend money on things that bring little return; you want the most bang for your buck. You have to look at your home the way the buyer will see it.

Four Questions for Every Caller You need to separate the lookers from the buyers. Ask everyone who calls if they are pre-approved, who pre-approved them, how much they are pre-approved for, and their purchase deadline. Don't risk a contract with someone who cannot buy your home. My team can put you in touch with several lenders who can help you pre-approve your callers.

Properly Present Your Property When agents show your home, we don't want the seller present because it inhibits the buyer. They need to be able to speak freely, and see themselves living in your home. So resist the urge to show off the hand-railing you installed yourself, and try not to regale them with stories of how hard it was to tile the bathroom. Lock up your prescriptions and valuables during showings, as well. As the owner, you can't (and shouldn't) be glued to their hip the entire time.

Negotiate the Sale It's a fact, over 90% of homes sell for less than the asking price. Prepare for lower offers, and don't be insulted -- after all, your buyer is likely considering a FSBO because they expect to get a discounted price. they know you are not paying a commission, so be prepared with evidence (facts and statistics) of your home's value.

Selling your home on your own can be done, if you consider these and other factors. Feel free to contact me directly if you would like to discuss your home sale further!

The Top 10 Most Important Things to Look for in a Real Estate Agent

Just because your aunt or best friend is a real estate agent, your personal relationship should not be the only thing that qualifies them for the job.

So how do you make sure the person you select is the best one to help you with your home purchase or sale? Here is a quick checklist of things to consider when choosing an agent:

1. This may sound too simple, but make sure they have a VALID real estate license, and whether or not they have any disciplinary actions against them. In Minnesota, you can check with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. 
   

    

2. Verify that they are a current member of the local board, their state association, and the National Association of REALTORS.

    

3. Does the agent treat you with respect? Do you feel comfortable with them? Can you be frank, knowing that they are 100% on your side?

   

4. Is the agent current on technology? A great deal of research and communication takes place electronically. Agents who are "behind the times" just can't keep up, and cause you to miss your perfect home.

    

5. Are they full-time agents? Part-timers who have another job are not always as available to help you. Plus, having another job makes it harder to keep up with legal and other changes.

    

6. Does the agent know the area you are interested in?

    

7. ASK FOR REFERENCES. Talk to at least three past clients: would they use the agent again?

    

8. Is the agent professional? Punctual? Do they follow through, and do what they say they are going to do?

    

9. The agent should be knowledgeable about home construction.

    

10. Can the agent coach you on what you need to know so YOU can make a decision?

     

Ask your friends and family who they would recommend. Check out the agents' websites. Read their blogs. Look for testimonials. Selecting an agent is far more important than most people think....it can make or break your deal.