As an experienced real estate specialist, Donna Barclay is committed to marketing your property in the best possible manner, and finding the right buyer at the right sale price. She is prepared to answer all of your questions and show how effectively she can help market your home. Contact her today!

Preparing to Sell Giving Your Home the On-the-Market Makeover Before the Showing Begins Establishing the Asking Price The Price Pyramid Estimating Net Proceeds Marketing Your Property The Listing Agreement The Marketing Process

Showing Your Home to Buyers Leave the Selling to the Professional Keep the Disturbances Down Create a Homey Atmosphere Have Records Available The Offer Presentation Qualifications Acceptance Closing the Contract

Preparing to Sell

Giving Your Home the On-the-Market Makeover

You work with a real estate professional like Donna Barclay, whose many credentials includes designation as a Certified Residential Specialist, because she is best able to sell your home quickly and profitably. But remember: Your relationship with your real estate professional is a partneship. While she markets your property and screens potential buyers, it's up to you to give your home a simple, inexpensive sprucing up that can go a long way toward a speedy sale.

The actual cash value of your property is the price that someone will pay for it in today's real estate economy. Donna will walk through your entire property with you. Ask for guidance concerning improvements that could be made prior to showing your home to potential buyers. With a little preparation, you may very well increase the value of your property!

Before the Showings Begin – Clean Up, Repair, Clear Out

First Impressions are Lasting Impressions

The exterior of your home often determines how buyers will view the interior. Buyers will register their first impression even while they are still driving up to your property. Examine the exterior carefully.

With that in mind, here are some helpful hints for preparing your home for showings and buyer's inspections:

• Make sure that lawns, trees and shrubs are will manicured and look healthy

• Make sure your front entrace is clean and inviting

• Paint or replace your front door if it's faded or worn

• Add some paint to shutters, trim and any other outside features showing signs of wear

• Add blooming flowers here and there for that little extra color

Beauty is More than Skin Deep

Buyers often see the surface condition of your home as a sign of what's underneath. Mentally place yourself in the buyer's shoes as you enter your home. If you see imperfections or uncleanliness, the buyer will see it, too.

With that in mind, here are some helpful hints for preparing your home for showings and buyer's inspections:

• Keep windows and floors clean

• Replace faded wallpaper and glue any areas that have come away from the wall

• Repair worn woodwork

• Repaint scarred or dirty walls in a neutral color

• Steam clean carpeting or replace it if necessary

• Make sure window coverings are clean and bright

• Repair loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, broken light switches and other minor flaws

• Clean doors and door jams that show signs of "hand" traffic

• Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers

• Ensure that kitchen appliances operate properly

Accentuate the Positive - Remove the Clutter

Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and arrange each room to bring out its best attributes, including:

• Open draperies and curtains to let the light in during the showing

• Remove everything possible from your closets, storage spaces, attic and basement, even if you have to pre-pack it for moving. Spacious and tidy closets, cubboards and rooms are attractive to prospective buyers. Consider renting storage or having a garage sale to dispose of extraneous items.

• The same is true for each room in the house. Is there too much furniture? Too many personal treasures sitting around? Too many large plants? These items tend to decrease the size of your rooms. Arrange all your rooms neatly and remove excess furniture.

• Keep fresh, clean towels in the bathroom

• Use candles or air fresheners to make the room smell pleasant

Be Prepared for the Buyer's Inspector

Many buyers will seek the services of a buyer's inspector to look a little deeper at the condition of your home. Here are some commons problems that can be repaired inexpensively:

• Repair plumbing leaks and faucet drips

• Clear clogged drains and repair slow flowing toilets

• Make sure that all electrical outlets work properly

Put Your Home in the Best Light

Strategically lighting your home, even during daytime showings, can create a cozy mood and highlight positive attributes of each rooms, so:

• Avoid the use of overhead lighting that makes rooms look washed out and lifeless

• Be creative and arrange lamps to help smaller rooms seem larger, and large rooms seem more intimate

• Use lighting to highlight the "living areas" of your home, such as a pair of chairs near a fireplace, or a table in a breakfast area

• Accent the positive aspects and unique features of each area of your home

• Create the right mood and atmosphere given the room's function, color scheme, etc.

• Define the space

• Bring the room to life

Establishing the Asking Price

The Pricing Pyramid

The higher you price your property, the fewer the people who will come to see it.

After reviewing sales prices of comparable homes in your area, you're ready to set a fair asking price for your property. Remember that the money spent upgrading the kitchen and the custom shutters in the den do not necessarily equal a higher asking price than what the market currently entertains. Buyers can be more sophisticated in comparing properties than sellers because they have no emotional attachments to the properties. After all, it wasn't their hard earned dollars that installed the lovely spa in your yard…to a buyer, it's just a spa.

The bottom line is, set a higher price and play the waiting game; or set a realistic price and prepare to move!

If your are considering selling your home and want to know the approximate vallue of the property, go to Donna's Sell Your Home page and fill out the simple form.

Estimating Net Proceeds

Based upon the asking price, Donna will prepare a "net sheet" for you. This worksheet itemizes costs associated with selling your property and subtracts them from the sale price, thus estimating net cash that you will receive from the sale. Contact Donna for more information.

Marketing Your Property

The Listing Agreement

When you have set your price and are ready to sell, Donna will help you complete a Listing Agreement. This agreement authorizes the listing broker to market your property under certain conditions, including but not limited to terms, price, commission and time period of the listing. When signed by both parties, this Listing Agreement becomes a contract between you and the broker.

The Marketing Process

Donna will now start the wheels in motion to show your home to as many real estate agents and prospective buyers as possible.

The single most important place to promote the sale of your property is through the Mulitple Listing Service (MLS). Information about your property will be entered into the MLS computer data bank for immediate access by other agents. Approximately 60 percent of all buyers actually come from referrals between brokers and agents.

SPECIAL NOTE: Now, through a special arrangement with the Tulsa MLS service, prospective buyers can search and browse all the Tulsa MLS listings right here in the Find a Home section of Donna's website – an extra advantage for sellers and a convenience for buyers.

Next, a "For Sale" sign will be displayed upon your property, and Donna will create a listing flyer for agents and buyers. At least 20 percent of all buyers come from advertising, signs and other promotional efforts made by the broker.

Donna may ask to hold "open house" at your property in an effort to attract extra attention to your home.

Additionally, your property may be promoted in local classified advertising sections of magazines or newspapers.

Showing Your Home to Buyers

Leave the Selling to the Professional

Buyers often feel uncomfortable in the presence of the homeowner, because they prefer to be able to speak openly when it comes to complimenting features or verbalizing objections.

• Try not to be present during showings or inspections

• Avoid participating in conversation between the agent and the buyer

• If you are home when the agent arrives with buyers, graciously greet them and excuse yourself.

• If asked a specific question about your home, answer as briefly as possible and let the agent continue the conversation.

• If your are home, never apologize for the appearance of your home

• When an open house is scheduled, arrange to be away during that time

• Only your broker should discuss any objections and subjects like price, terms, possession, and other factors with the buyers

Keep the Disturbances Down

Potential homebuyers have a lot to take in, so minimize distractions.

• Pipe in classical, jazz or soft rock music, but keep the volume low

• If possible, turn of the ringer on your phone during showings

• Keep cats, dogs, litter boxes and feeding dishes out of the way – preferably out of the house

Create a Homey Atmosphere

A buyer tries to picture themselves and their family living in your home, so:

• Create a pleasant aroma by baking cookies or bread, or placing cornmeal in a pie plate in a warm oven on the day of the showing

• Make sure it's neat and clean – no dirty dishes or unkempt rooms

• Keep the heat or air conditioner at comfortable levels

• If you have a fireplace, light it during wintertime showings

Have Records Available

Even if a buyer doesn't study them, having records available can make it clear you are conscientious and have nothing to hide.

• Have copies of your gas, electric and water bills from the last 12 months available

• Be ready to show all home improvement and repair bills

The Offer

Presentation

When a buyer signs an offer to purchase your home, either Donna or the buyer's agent will present the offer to you in person or via phone, depending upon custom and your availability.

Qualifications

The written offer to purchase should include detailed information about the buyer's offer. Together with Donna, you will review the price, the amount of earnest money deposit, the proposed closing and occupancy date, and contingencies, and the buyer's ability to qualify for a loan.

Acceptance

If possible, your decision should be made following the presentation. You have three options in responding to the offer:

1. Accept the offer as written;

2. Make a "counter offer";

3. Reject the offer

When you and the buyer have agreed to all terms and conditions of the offer, you have both signed the document, and the buyer has been notified of your acceptance, the document becomes a valid sales contract.

Closing the Contract

At the closing or settlement, you and the buyer will each have completed the conditions and met the terms pursuant to your contractual agreement and title to the property will be conveyed to the buyer.

Donna will make sure you are helped through the myriad steps of closing, including handling of the many details.

Following the closing, you will receive a final settlement statement for your records that clearly illustrates all fees paid by you to close the contract.