For many years the X Files was a popular TV show that explored the possibility of beings from space.  Sometimes  it was almost believable, more often than not is was just plain scary.

S Files are not scary, nor are they a TV show but a real live location and a preferred destination of all my homeowners who want to sell.  The S Files are SOLD Files...a very safe and successful place to reside!

How do you get into my S Files? 

That's easy...listen to me.  You are a homeowner who loves your home and granted you know a lot about it.  Now that its time to leave you will need to change your mindset and look at your home as a commodity.  Buyers will come to look at your home, just like customers at the mall some will come in look around and leave.  Others will come in, kick the tires, maybe through you a less than pleasing offer, but don't despair, it's not about your home, it's about the process of selling. 

My advice to you Mr./Mrs. Seller is to focus on your destination.  Don't wrap yourself up in the process of selling.  We will package your home to the best of it's ability.  You will help me market it by keeping it in marketable condition.  We each have a job to do, you do yours and I'll do mine.  together we will work as a team to get you into the S Files.

Homeowner Tasks

• Keep the  home clean and neat.  Pack up the excess clutter, you will be moving sooner or later, so start packing now, save yourself the time and trouble later
• Keep the exterior clean and neat, especially the entrance.  Remember standing at the front door when you bought it?  Buyers to your home will have a brief wait here while the agent opens the lockbox.  While they wait, be sure they have something attractive to look at, not cob webs and old newspapers.
• Complete your "to do list" provided to you by my Home Stager.  This process could take some time, but for every minute you spend on making your home more marketable, it will reduce your days on market and increase your net.  It's a proven fact.
• Be ready for showings at a moments notice.  It's a sad fact but true, when buyers are out looking sometimes they drive by your home and find themselves compelled to see it right now. Even thought this may be frustrating and tough on your schedule, it is a good thing, so be ready for them.  Playing "let's make a deal with the showing appointment time" it not going to help you get into the S Files.
• Clean up and leave! Showings sometimes don't last very long.  No matter how much you are tempted to stay to answer questions.  DON'T!   Go get a Starbucks or a Slurpee.  Whatever you do, don't hang around messing with the buyers "mental move in!"
• Treat all offers with respect.  Many folks feel they don't need to respond to all offers.  I always feel the first offer may be your last offer, so treat it well.  In our market some people will throw out ridiculous offers, "just to see what happens."  That's ok, let them.  Don't be offended, just counter back with your offer and see how serious they are.  Oftentimes they take the offer or at last keep working toward finding common ground.

These suggestions are just a few of the tasks a homeowner must accomplish.  There are many others, but this is only a 30 minute show!

Agents Tasks

• Provide you with a comprehensive market analysis complete with solds, competition and homes that failed to sell.  We will look at the market and our competition.  I will provide you with a price range, you will pick the price based on established facts, not fiction.
• Arrange for a consultation with a Home Stager.  The first two hours is on me.  For typical homes this is all you will need.  My stager will give you a "to do list".  Competing the items on the list is up to you.
• Take photos after the home has been professionally staged (if necessary)
• Have the home pre-inspected for defects (you will be responsible for correcting anything found) This may seem risky, but it's truly the best way to avoid losing a contract later on down the road.
• Prepare an appealing brochure to be available both at the curb and in the house
• Post your home on as many Internet portals as possible
• Communicate on a regular basis about the current market status of your competition
• Present all offers along with a net sheet, so you can make a decision based on a bottom line, rather than a guess.
• Manage the transaction through to the closing, keeping track of all the dates that effect the contract

This list is just a few of the basic things done to help get into the S Files.

 In a nutshell we need to work together as a team to get into the S Files.  You do your work, I will do mine.  Remember you called me, the professional to help you sell a home.  You don't sell homes very frequently, I do.  So when I talk to you about the process, you can be assured my knowledge comes from a deep well of experience.  I will never ask you to do something, unless I know it's in your best interest.

The road to getting into the S Files can be spooky, but once you are there you will appreciate being in the safe harbor of my S Files.