Selling Your Current Home

Selling Your Home under an IRS Authorized Relocation Program

• Administrative fees, and reasonable and customary costs associated with the sale of your home will typically be paid under most relocation home sale programs. An example of such expenses are:
  
  Real Estate Broker Commission, Escrow Fees, Recording Fees, Notary Fees, Title Search, Tax Stamps, State or Local transfer taxes, Deed Preparation, Title Insurance, Survey Fees and Attorney Fees. And other locally required closing expenses in the sale of the home with the exception of any prorated amounts.



• Prorations, Points, Dues Owed, Interest are typically Ineligible items for reimbursement under most home sale programs. An example of such expenses are:
  
  Discount Points, Loan Origination Fee, Prepaid Interest, Mortgage Insurance Premium, Hazard Insurance Premium, Flood Insurance Premium, Hazard Insurance, Mortgage Insurance, Property Taxes, Annual Assessments, Flood Insurance, Utility Pro Rations, Homeowner Association Dues Or Fees, Mansion Tax if applicable.

• Provides expert, objective guidance and support throughout the complexity of closing.
• Use of OWR and its Title Partner Firm eliminates the need in many cases to secure a local attorney.
• Eliminates the need to attend the closing -- all activities are arranged by phone or mail.
• Provides for proceeds of sales to be received quickly.
• Reduces time and hassle during a stressful period.
• Eliminates the need to submit closing cost reimbursement request to company.
• Provides tax-free benefits (strict guidelines apply).
• Provides assurance that employee's best interests are met.

• Objective administrative management to ensure that the best interests of the employee and company are met.
• Less time off work for increased productivity.
• Maximizes cost efficiency by eliminating trips back to attend closings.
• Lowers or eliminates gross-up expenses.
• Streamlines company expense reimbursement and reporting processes.
• Built in audit service ensures proper expense detail of company payments.
• Easy to implement with value returned immediately.

Your Origin Home

The Right Selling Price Affects Your Bottom Line

• Market conditions
• Condition of your home
• Repairs or improvements
• Selling timeframe

If the price of your home is too high, this could cause several things:

• Limits buyers. Potential buyers may not view your home because it appears to be out of their buying range.
• Limits showings. Other salespeople may be more reluctant to view your home.
• Used as leverage. Other Realtors® may use this home to drive the sale of other homes that are better-priced.
• Extended stay on the market. When a home is on the market too long, it may be perceived as defective. Buyers may wonder, "what is wrong," or "why hasn't this sold?"
• Lower price. An overpriced home, still on the market beyond the average selling time, could lead to a lower selling price. To sell it, you will have to reduce the price - sometimes several times. In the end, you'll probably get less than if it had been properly priced in the first place.
• Wasted time and energy. A bank appraisal is most often required to finance a home. 

Selling Your Home: Where to Begin?

A spruced-up house makes a great first impression on potential buyers. An attractive property grabs their attention and makes them excited about finding a house that looks and feels well cared for. Because buyers believe they'll encounter fewer problems if they buy it, your house becomes more appealing and stands out from the competition. So if you prepare your home correctly, you'll save time selling it when it's on the market.

A good first impression makes an impact on a number of levels. It's not just the way your house looks to potential buyers, but how it feels and smells to them, how their friends and family will react, how they imagine it would be to live there.
With simple improvements throughout your house, you can grab the attention of potential buyers and help them see why your house is right for them.

Plan Ahead

Create a plan to enhance your property. Make a list of what needs to be done. Consider what your property looks like to people driving by or walking through your door.  What needs fixing, painting, cleaning? What can you improve? Whether you paint your house or fix up the yard, your efforts don't need to be costly; even inexpensive improvements and minor repairs go far towards attracting serious buyers. But remember, those seemingly insignificant problems you've learned to live with can actually discourage potential buyers.

Here are some ideas for increasing your home's appeal in order to sell it quickly at the best price:
Interior - Today's Market is all about Condition
Clean Everything

Buyers expect a spotless house, inside and out, so clean everything, especially your windows and window sills. Scrub walls and floors, tile and ceilings, cupboards and drawers, kitchen and bathrooms. Wash scuff marks from doors and entryways, clean light fixtures and the fireplace and even the laundry room.

Cut the Clutter

People are turned off by rooms that look and feel cluttered. Remember, potential buyers are buying your house, not your furniture, so help them picture themselves and their possessions in your home by making your rooms feel large, light, neutral, and airy. As you clean, pack away your personal items, such as pictures, valuables, and collectibles, and store or get rid of surplus books, magazines, videotapes, extra furniture, rugs, blankets, etc. Consider renting a storage unit to eliminate clutter in your garage and attic.

It's hard to get rid of possessions, but cleaning and clearing out the clutter can really pay off in the end. Packing away your clutter also gets you started packing for your next move. Make your garage and basement as tidy as the rest of your house. Simple little tasks such as storing your tools and neatly rolling up your garden hose suggest that you take good care of your house. Don't let anything detract from making your best first impression.

Crawl space should be clear if possible.
Closets

They're an important consideration to many buyers.  By storing clothing you won't use soon, you'll make closets look more spacious.

Carpet

Check its condition. If it's worn, consider replacing it or adding rugs. It's an easy and affordable way to help sell your home faster. Again, light, neutral colors, such as beige, are best. If you don't replace it, you can suggest to potential buyers that they could select new carpet and you'll reduce your price; buyers like to hear they're getting a deal. At the very least, have your carpet cleaned.

Repairs and Renovations

It's best to avoid making major renovations just to sell the house since you're unlikely to recoup those costs in your selling price. Make minor repairs to items such as leaky faucets, slow drains, torn screens, damaged gutters, loose doorknobs, and broken windows. Make sure repairs are well done; buyers won't take you seriously if your home improvement efforts look messy, shoddy, or amateurish.

Remove 'creative wiring' such as extension cords both inside and outside.

Leaks and Moisture

Water stains on ceilings or in the basement alert buyers to potential problems. Don't try to cosmetically cover up stains caused by leaks. If you've fixed the water problem, repair the damage and disclose in writing to the buyer what repairs were made.

Ensure there is no water pooling around toilets.
Exterior - First Impressions are lasting

Curb Appeal

The "Wow" factor - that first visual, high-impact impression your home makes on potential buyers - can turn a looker into a buyer. To determine your property's curb appeal, drive through your neighborhood and note other properties; then approach your own house as if you were a potential buyer. How does it look? Does it "wow" you? Will its curb appeal attract buyers? Note what needs improving, such as trimming trees, planting shrubs, or painting gutters.

Little things convey that you've cared for your home, and this is your opportunity to sell that important message to buyers who are shopping from the street, simply cruising neighborhoods looking for houses for sale. To get them through your door, do what you can to make your property look like someone's dream home.

Paint/Stain

If it's peeling or blistering and you can't remember the last time you painted it, your house needs some attention. That also goes for stain that is significantly faded. A newly painted or stained exterior will help sell your house faster, and whether you do it yourself or hire someone, you'll also increase your home's value.

In the Yard

Grab people's attention by enhancing your yard and landscaping. If your house looks inviting and well-maintained from the street, people will imagine that it's attractive on the inside, too.

• Prune bushes and hedges; trim trees. Ensure shrubs are away from the foundation.
• Keep your lawn looking healthy and green.
• Clean up and dispose of pet mess.
• Weed your gardens; add fertilizer and mulch and plant colorful flowers.
• In winter, keep your driveway and sidewalks shoveled, de-iced, and well-lit.
• Stack firewood, clean out birdbaths, repair and paint fences.

The Front Door

An attractive entry catches a buyer's eye and says, "Welcome," so highlight this area of your house with decorative touches, such as a wreath on the door or new shrubs and flowers around the steps. For an even grander entry, clean and paint your front door, or replace it with a new one for a few hundred dollars. Don't forget to fix and polish doorknobs, repair torn screens, and then put out that new welcome mat.