Selling Your Home in Torrance? Helpful Information

Even for Realtors, every home sale and every transaction is different with new challenges and new questions. Needless to say sellers are going to have questions and some have been asked almost every time. Here are just a few of the many questions that are frequently asked. If you have a question please feel free to contact me…even if you don’t think you are ready to sell.

Do sellers have to disclose the terms of other offers?

Sellers are not legally obligated to disclose the terms of other offers to prospective buyers.

Should I add on or buy a bigger home?

Consider these questions before making a choice between adding on to an existing home or moving up in the market to a bigger house:

How much money is available, either from cash reserves or through a home improvement loan, to remodel the current house?
How much additional space is required? Would the foundation support a second floor or does the lot have room to expand on the ground level?
What do local zoning and building ordinances permit?
How much equity already exists in the property?

Are there affordable properties for sale that would satisfy

housing needs?Ultimately, the decision should be based on individual needs,
the extent of work involved and what will add the most value.

How do I prepare the house for sale?

First and foremost, put it in the best condition possible, especially if you are in a market with few buyers and lots
of homes for sale. That means taking care of any major repairs that could deter a buyer (such as replacing any broken windows or replacing a leaky roof) if you can afford it. Next, work on your home’s curb appeal. Make sure your landscape is pristine. Mow the grass, clean up any debris and weed the garden beds. Plant a few annual flowers near the entrance or in pots to be placed by the door. Other quick fixes that don’t cost a lot of money but can help you get top dollar for your home:

Clean the windows and make sure the paint is not chipped or flaking.
Be sure that the doorbell works.
Clean and freshen up rooms, furnishings, floors, walls and ceilings.
Make sure that bathrooms and kitchens are spotless.
Organize closets.
Make sure the basic appliances and fixtures work. Replace leaky faucets and frayed cords.
Eliminate the source of any bad smells, such as the kitty box. Use air freshener or bake a batch of cookies before your open house to ensure that the house smells inviting.
Invest in a couple of vases of fresh flowers to place around the house and next to any information about the house you have prepared for buyers.