CINDY MUSTAFA REAL ESTATE HELPING "FOR SALE BY OWNERS" IN AURORA & STREETSBORO OHIO

Is Your Buyer Qualified?

Unless the buyer who makes an offer on your home has the resources to qualify for a mortgage, you may not really have a sale. If possible, try to determine a buyer's financial status before signing the contract. Ask:

1. If the buyer has been prequalified or preapproved (better) for a mortgage. Such buyers will be in a much better position to obtain a mortgage promptly.

2. Does the buyer have enough money to make a downpayment and cover closing costs? Ideally, a buyer should have 20 percent of the home's price as a downpayment and between 2 and 7 percent of the price to cover closing costs.

3. Is the buyer's income sufficient to afford your home? Ideally, buyers should spend no more than 28 percent of total income to cover PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance).

4. Does your buyer have good credit? Ask if he or she has reviewed and corrected a credit report.

5. Does the buyer have too much debt? If a buyer owes a great deal on car payments, credit cards, etc., he or she may not qualify for a mortgage.

17 Service Providers You'll Need When You Sell:

1. Real Estate Attorney
2. Appraiser
3. Home Inspector
4. Mortgage Loan Officer
5. Environmental Specialist
6. Lead Paint Inspector
7. Radon Inspector
8. Tax Advisor
9. Sanitary Systems Expert
10. Occupancy Permit Inspector
11. Zoning Inspector
12. Survey Company
13. Flood Plain Inspector
14. Termite Inspector
15. Title Company
16. Insurance Consultant
17. Moving Company

6 Forms You'll Need to Sell Your Home

1. Property Disclosure Form: This form requires you to reveal all known defects to your property. Check with your state government to see if there is a special form required in your state.

2. Purchasers Access to Premises Agreement: This agreement sets conditions for permitting the buyer to enter your home for activities such as measuring for draperies before you move.

3. Sales Contract: The agreement between you and the seller on terms and conditions of sale. Again, check with your state real estate department to see if there is a required form.

4. Sales Contract Contingency Clauses: In addition to the contract, you may need to add one or more attachments to the contract to address special contingencies-such as the buyer's need to sell a home before purchasing yours.

5. Pre- and Post-Occupancy Agreements: Unless you're planning on moving out and the buyer moving in on the day of closing, you'll need an agreement on the terms and costs of occupancy once the sale closes.

6. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Pamphlet: If your home was built before 1978, you must provide the pamphlet to all sellers. You must also have buyers sign a statement indicating they received the pamphlet.

5 Ways to Speed up Your Sale....

5 Ways to Speed Up Your Sale

1. Price it right. Set a price and leave room to negotiate but know the value before you start.

2. Get your house market ready for at least two weeks before you begin showing it.

3. Be flexible about showings. It's often disruptive to have a house ready to show on the spur of the moment, but the more often someone can see your home, the sooner you'll find a seller.

4. Be ready for the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you'll find acceptable.

5. Don't refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days and you have marketed it property but have received no offers, be prepared to lower your asking price before the showings stop all together.