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Tips and useful
information when purchasing or selling a home.
Buying a new home.
Why use an agent when I could sell my house myself?
Tips on Setting a Fair Price.
Day-by-Day Moving Schedule. (for long distances)
Buying
a new home.
Home buying is a very complex undertaking.
For a first time buyer the process may seem overwhelming. Contained here and
within our Frequently Asked Questions is a step by step guide to first time
buyers.
1. Find an experienced Realtor to
work with, one who will be your "Buyer's Agent".
2. Apply for a mortgage
pre-qualified with a lender of your choice.
3. Pick an area you like
that is within your price range. Consider the location, price range, neighborhoods
and surrounding area as factors in your decision.
4. Choose the homes you'd
like to see that fit within your criteria.
5. Make an offer when you
find the home you'd like to purchase. Sign a Purchasing Contract. See FAQ for
more information.
6. Make arrangements for
a home inspection.
7. Select and apply for
a mortgage.
8. Final Walk through, do
a final walk through with the seller to make sure there aren't any new problems.
8. Once your offer is accepted
by the seller the closing process begins. (closing process includes the closing
date, fees and other terms that will be decided.)
9. Closing or Loan Settlement.
This is when you will sign legal documents, pay some fees and get the keys.
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Why
use an agent when I could sell my house myself?
Some homeowners decide to sell their homes themselves in order to save the commission
charged by a real estate agent. The commission rate may vary, depending on where
you live or what agency you choose. However, handling your own sale means you
will be responsible for placing ads, answering phones and showing your home
to strangers, all of which can take up a lot of time. What's more, buyers who
know you are saving on an agent's commission may offer less for your home, wiping
out the financial incentive to do it all yourself.
You may decide an agent's commission is a bargain the first time that a would-be
buyer shows up unannounced at dinnertime. Also, be aware that a real estate
agent probably knows a lot more about the business of selling a home than you
do. Here are some of the advantages professional agents offer:
They will help you establish
a fair asking price for your home.
They will promote your home
to other agents and list your property in multiple listing services. A multiple
listing service is a book or computer database that all real estate agents who
subscribe to the service can access. Your home will get exposure to all those
agents, one of whom may have the perfect buyer.
They will create, pay for
and place advertising for you.
They will schedule appointments
to show your home to prospective buyers even when you are not there.
They can weed out buyers
who will not qualify for a mortgage.
They can refer you to sources
for insurance, inspections, legal counsel and financing.
They will help you negotiate
with the buyer.
If you decide to sell through a highly respected agent such as myself, contact
me and we will discuss your possibilities. Be sure to ask how I plan to market
your home, I can offer some great tips and advice on reaching the potential
buyers that are serious about purchasing your home.
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Tips
on Setting a Fair Price
Naturally, you want to get top dollar for your home. But, at the same time,
you don't want to scare off potential buyers with a price tag that's too high.
Setting an artificially high price may cause your property to languish on the
market for months. Reducing your asking price later on may lead buyers to wonder
if there is something wrong with your home. Here are some of the factors to
consider in pricing your home.
Your location
Economic conditions
Supply and demand in the local housing market
Seasonal influences
Local schools
Average home prices in the neighborhood
Your home's extras -- pool, fireplace, central air, etc.
To determine the value of your home, you probably will want the advice of a
real estate agent or appraiser. Ask an agent to prepare a market analysis for
you, showing the recent selling prices of three neighborhood properties comparable
to your own. The agent can help you adjust for the unique features of your own
property.
Either you or your agent will want to quickly weed out potential
buyers who cannot really afford to purchase your home. A number of factors will
help determine whether or not you are wasting your time negotiating a sale.
The buyer's debt and credit
history
The buyer's current income and employment
The buyer's cash position and availability of a down payment
The length of time the buyer needs before closing on your home
How interested the buyer appears to be in your home versus others
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Day-by-Day Moving Schedule (for long distances)
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Four weeks before the move
Three weeks before the move
Two weeks before the move
One week before the move
The day before the move
Moving Day
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Four
weeks before the move
Sunday
Tour your house and
decide which items should be discarded or donated to charity.
Consider a garage sale.
Monday
Call physicians and
dentists.
They may recommend a colleague near your new home.
Get copies of renewable prescriptions.
Tuesday: Arrange transfer of school records.
Wednesday
Check homeowners insurance
policies to see if moving is covered.
Be sure your new home is protected by transferring fire, theft and other personal-property
insurance.
Thursday
Transfer personal
insurance records.
Friday
If you have house
plants to move, read through the Atlas brochure "How To Move Your House
Plants," and start preparing your plants for the move.
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Three
weeks before the move
Sunday
Plan to use up most
food items before the move.
Monday
Check and clear tax
assessments.
Tuesday
Arrange to have major
appliances serviced before you move them.
Wednesday
Movers can't take
aerosols, flammables, corrosives or ammunition. It's best to use them up or
give them away before you move. Propane tanks must be emptied as well as lawnmower
fuel tanks.
Thursday
If your pets will
move with you, your Atlas Agent can give you advice on the best methods - and
our Atlas' brochure, "How to Move your Pets" also will be helpful.
Friday
Notify the Post Office
and get change of address forms. Notify magazines to which you subscribe. Note:
You must fill out a change-of-address form for each person receiving mail at
your address.
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Two
weeks before the move
Monday
Make your travel reservations
for the trip.
Decide which items you'll pack, and which you'd like Atlas to pack. Your Atlas
agent can provide the finest do-it-yourself packing materials at reasonable
prices.
Tuesday
Close or transfer
all charge accounts.
Return library books and other things you've borrowed
Collect things you've loaned, and items in lay-away, cold storage, etc.
Wednesday
Arrange to discontinue
utilities and delivery services.
Take the time to fill out the "Welcome To Your New Home" data sheet
for the new owners.
Thursday
Protect your shipment
from damage by disposing of cleaning fluids, acids, caustic drain cleaners,
etc.
Friday
Arrange connection
of utilities in new home.
Draw up a floor plan of your new home, and indicate placement of furnishings.
It makes moving in twice as easy.
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One
week before the move
Monday
Arrange to have cash,
certified check or money order ready to pay driver before goods are unloaded
(unless your employer is paying the charges or you've arranged to pay by credit
card).
Transfer bank accounts, and ask your local credit bureau to transfer your records
to your new city.
Reconfirm travel reservations.
Movers are not permitted to take down TV antennas. Your Atlas agent can arrange
to have it done, if you wish.
Arrange for cable TV disconnection.
Tuesday
Set aside maps, games,
snacks, flashlight, and other items you'll take in your car.
Gather medicines and important papers for the car trip.
Wednesday
Your local phone company
business office can help you with phone service for your new home, as well as
disconnecting service at your present home.
Thursday
Drain water from all
garden hoses.
Start packing suitcases.
Friday
Get name, address
and phone number of your Atlas destination agent.
Drain gasoline from lawn mower.
Saturday
Anything Atlas is packing should be left in place. It's easier and safer, for
example, to pack glassware right from the cabinet it's kept in.
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The
day before the move
Put cleaning supplies, toiletries and a coffee pot in special box to be loaded
last and unloaded first.
Finish packing all suitcases.
Defrost, clean and dry refrigerator
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Moving
Day
Be on hand all day to answer questions, accompany driver during inventory, sign
bill of lading, confirm your new address and delivery date. Be sure to advise
him of your enroute accommodations and telephone number, if known.
Make final check of every room and storage area. Make sure windows and doors
are locked, keys are transferred and lights are out.
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The information on this page is provided by Atlas Van
Lines, Inc.800-638-9797. Copyright © 1998
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