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You're Asking Me for Alot of Information-Will It Really Help Sell My Home?

By Laura Giannotta

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore

February 07, 2011 10:10 PM

You're asking me for alot of information, it this going to help me get my home sold?

I've asked you to compile a little information that will make your home stand out in the eyes of a buyer. We'll work on this together.

To Do List (sxc-David Siqueira) First I suggested you complete the New Jersey Seller's Disclosure Statement. A Seller's Disclosure is optional in New Jersey. But if you want to sell a house, fill it out honestly and completely. The New Jersey Seller's Disclosure can be uploaded to the Jersey Shore Multiple Listing Service as an attachment to your home's listing. Agents have access to it and are then able to answer many buyer questions.

I want you to put together a list of your monthly home ownership costs. Leave out your mortgage payment, but include quarterly property taxes, homeowners insurance, monthly electric bills and heating costs. If you're required to have flood insurance like so many of us are, include that cost and a copy of your elevation certificate. In the case of a condo, provide the contact information for the association and include monthly condo fees and what they cover. If these fees have been stable, let's point that out.

stove (sxc-Spencer Ritenour) If you've decided to sell your Jersey Shore home with appliances and they are EnergyStar rated, that's worth mentioning. If you've taken advantage of any Atlantic Electric energy conservation initiatives or participate in the New Jersey Natural Gas Company's Conserve to Preserve program, we'll provide that information.

If you use oil as you heating fuel, provide your tank insurance information as well has the tank size, age and location. You should also provide your oil company name and contact information.

tape measure (sxc-Cameron Gaut) If your home has been expanded or substantially remodeled, provide contractor receipts and proof of permits and inspections.

And finally, make a list of annual and semi annual maintenance tasks and their associated costs. I'd suggest including things like gutter cleaning, furnace filter replacement and smoke detector battery replacement.

You can put all this information into a file and we will provide it when we have an interested buyer. Or in an abbreviated form, we can create a brochure and leave it out for buyers when they tour your home.

We're compiling this information so that buyer can have the answer to the question that hovers in the back of every buyer's mind when they make an offer to purchase a home...How much will this house really cost?

questions (sxc-Chris Baker)

Laura Giannotta
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR®

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Stephanie L. Solano

J. Philip Real Estate LLC Westchester County NY - Pleasantville, NY

Licensed Real Estate Agent

Great post. I think it's very important for the listing agent to know this information and to have it readily available.

Feb 09, 2011 03:36 AM

Bob Sweazy

Prudential A. S. de Movellan Real Estate - Lexington, KY

Great post. Would also help if another agent is holding an open house for the listing agent.

Feb 09, 2011 03:50 AM

Kristin Petersen

Adams, Cameron & Co., Realtors - Ormond Beach, FL

Realtor - Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach - Ormond by

Thank you for this information...going to get a listing today and I'm going to use these ideas as well as mine. Wish me luck!

Feb 09, 2011 03:54 AM

Anthony Rodriguez

Colwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Chicago, IL

Full disclosure in my view, is the only way of insuring the deal will have a higher probability of success. Often times deals run the risk of falling apart at inspection because of an omission. This can create distrust and invite an unwanted level of scrutiny.

Great Post!

Feb 09, 2011 04:26 AM

Jennifer Marks

On Maternity Leave - Garner, NC

Great post!. Include utility bills, teenager that cuts the grass etc. The more info the more responsible the Seller looks. It is comforting to a Buyer to know the Seller is very up-front. This is even more important if the house is vacant and not a distressed sale. The extra time spent may help the Buyers choose you listing over the other listings in the same neighborhood.

I include a partially filled out Offer To Purchase. That way the Buyer's Agent has no reason to delay.

Feb 09, 2011 04:30 AM

Brenda, Ron, Lee Cunningham & Tara Keator

West USA Realty - Phoenix, AZ

Realtors, Homes for Sale - Phoenix Metro

Great post, sellers need to realize that we are trying to do what is best for them!

Feb 09, 2011 04:35 AM

Samantha Smith

214.422.0729 www.SamIAmHouses.com - Rowlett, TX

Sam I Am Houses, Simply Texas Real Estate

Great info! I added a few of the items you listed to my ongoing list of Info to get from the Seller :) Thanks for sharing!

Feb 09, 2011 06:04 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

Laura, good basic info that most buyers want to know but seems that sellers just don't get the questions significance. Help buyers figure out how much it's going to cost to live there.

Feb 09, 2011 06:25 AM

Anonymous

Susan McCall

This is really great information to gather from the seller. I don't think buyer's will think this is really great information to have, but the buyer's agent would be blown away to have this information available to them and to take back as a talking point.

Information like this indicates the the seller, and the seller's agent, all have some skin in the game as it indicates that they are willing to take the time and effort to collate this information, and that they care about their home.

Hurrah for the tips, and thanks for writing the blog.

Feb 09, 2011 07:39 AM

#60

Diana Mehnert

Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette - Bella Vista, AR

Great post. It's very important for the listing agent to have as much information on the property and have it available to other agents as well.

Feb 09, 2011 07:54 AM

Brek Schutten

Keller Williams Realty - Grand Rapids, MI

Great ideas. i think homeowners should always provide as much information as possible.

Feb 09, 2011 10:47 AM

Sylvie Stuart

Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ

Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta

It's going to have to be provided at some point, it's easiest and best to get it up front when there isn't a time line and emotions involved as there tend to be when under contract

Feb 09, 2011 12:35 PM

Sharon Alters

Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL

Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Laura, this is a terrific list of information that does give you command of the property (to use Brian's eloquent word). We have no formal 'form' for gathering this information, but looking at your questions, it definitely warrants one. So glad this was featured :)

Feb 09, 2011 02:34 PM

Marte Cliff

Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID

Your real estate writer

Those are all things a buyer needs to know - and in my experience, many of them asked, especially about the utility bills.

But one more thing... As long as you've got them in an information gathering mode, collect the meter number for the electric power and the phone numbers to call when it's time to transfer the phone and electric services!

Feb 09, 2011 06:02 PM

Anonymous

Jeff Pearl

Good practice. Agents working with buyers appreciate having a detailed info package at the house so they can answer all of the potential buyers questions. Knowing what the monthly costs really are is a must in their decision making process.

Feb 09, 2011 11:29 PM

#66

Gene Riemenschneider

Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA

Turning Houses into Homes

You can never have too much information available. Very good post.

Feb 10, 2011 06:06 AM

Brad Hornshaw

Brad Hornshaw Realtor Lynnwood, Bothell, Everett - Lynnwood, WA

Realtor, Listing Agent, Buyers Agent, Investments

Hi Laura

I agree you never know what will sell the buyer on a home .........Brad

Feb 10, 2011 07:35 AM

Anonymous

Kelly Dix

It was great to compare what other States do to mine (Michigan). I also have alot of buyers asking about utility costs. I think that's a good thing to provide. That info sheet will also make your home stand out among the others! Great Idea!

Feb 10, 2011 01:46 PM

#69

Joy Carter & Jeff Booker Brother and Sister Team

Keller Williams Parkland/Coral Springs Realty-GreatFloridaHomes Team - Coral Springs, FL

Trust Your Family's Move To Our Expertise!

Laura - I like your approach. We always ask for what they love or enjoy about the home so we can transfer the emotions in marketing.

We get copies of the legal paperwork and disclosures signed and include them as attachments.

I'm going to use your suggestion for average utility bills as well. Joy

Feb 11, 2011 02:21 AM

Laura Giannotta

Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Thanks for you comments and additions. Specifically to Susan #61, I have buyers ask for this info all the time, and when I'm acting as a buyer's agent I recommend they get this information before making an offer. Again thanks, I have added some items to my info list for the seller as a result of your great comments!

Feb 11, 2011 11:35 PM