How can I prepare my house for sale?

The selling process typically starts months before a property is listed on the market. Look at your home through the eyes of a potential buyer. This can help you decide what must be cleaned, painted, repaired or tossed out. Your real estate agent can help you make these decisions and list your home at a fair price when it’s ready.

What is the MLS, and how does it benefit me?

A Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, is a database that makes it easier to reach a large number of buyers and increase your property’s exposure. It’s a system in which participating brokers at the real estate board agree to share commission on the sale of houses listed by any one of them. For example, if your house is listed with one broker and another finds the buyer who purchases it, they split the commission. You benefit form the increased exposure because more people have an interest in selling your home.

How can I find out what my home is worth?

Desert Property Group associates have in-depth knowledge of the current real estate market, and can prepare a professional market analysis of your home to set a competitive price. We will also help you “stage” your home for showing to buyers. It is extremely important to. Professional staging takes into account how potential buyers will you’re your home, putting its features in the best light, increasing the property’s overall marketability.

As a seller, what must I disclose about my property’s condition?

The best policy is honesty when it comes to disclosing the condition of your property. All known material defects of the property should be noted on a Seller Disclosure Form, which is completed by the seller and their listing agent. If an item is not covered on the SDF, you must still make disclosures about known material defects. Even if a matter has been repaired, you should still disclose the previous defect and a report of the repairs completed. By disclosing all problems up front, you can avoid any surprises that could potentially end up as a lawsuit.

When is the best time to put my home on the market?

Peak selling seasons change from year to year and, sometimes, weather plays a major factor. Often, early spring and early fall are the prime listing seasons because houses tend to show better in those months than they do in the heat of the summer or the cold of winter. Keep in mind there are more houses on the market during the prime seasons, so you’ll have more competition. However, don’t base your decision to sell on the season, as each selling situation is unique.

When choosing an agent, what do the abbreviations mean behind their names?

Well, believe it or not, all of those letters stand for Realtor designations. Agents are required to take a certain amount of continuing education classes each year to maintain their real estate license. Many times, they’ll choose a focus area that becomes their specialty. Below are some of the most common designations, indicating agents’ specialized knowledge and/or membership in different real estate associations.