Home Sellers: Are You Qualified?
Marilyn Messenger, CRS, ABR
Realtor, Broker in FL & MA. Efficient, cost-effective, caring solutions for home buyers & sellers since 1993. Tradition Port St Lucie FL., Sudbury-Concord MA. 55+ communities, relocation, new homes, resales. CRS,ABR.
Most people think that being qualified is for home buyers and that it means being pre-approved for a mortgage. Being qualified is not just for buyers, sellers also need to be qualified!
Sure, anyone who owns a property can sell it (assuming there are no legal restrictions) but owning a property does not make for a “qualified” seller. In real estate, the definition of qualified is “ready, willing, and able.” Buyers and sellers both need to be ready, willing, and able; that means financially, logistically and emotionally.
Here are some questions to answer to determine if you are really qualified to sell:
1. Do you have enough equity in your house to cover closing and moving costs or else have enough cash to bring to the closing table?
2. Are you and everyone involved committed to selling? Do your spouse and/or children want to move? Do you have adult children or other family members who have their own ideas about the house and what you should be doing?
3. Is your house ready to go on the market? Has it been de-cluttered and de-personalized? Is everything in working condition, fixed or replaced, fresh paint, refinished floors, lighting, landscaping, etc., with updates that will appeal to today’s buyers?
4. If you plan to sell “as is” and are you willing to reflect that in your list price?
5. Do you have a place to go when you sell?
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As a licensed real estate broker, Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Luxury Homes Marketing Specialist, and Accredited Buyer Representative, associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company, LLC in Concord MA, I have had the pleasure of representing home sellers and buyers west of Boston for the past 24 years. If you are thinking about selling or buying a house, drop me a note at marilynmessenger@realtor.com. Please visit www.MarilynMessenger.com for information about home buying and selling, market reports for Concord, Sudbury, Wayland, Maynard, and Stow, along with easy home searches (no sign-up required.) Let's talk soon! Marilyn Messenger
It is so important to be sure a homeowner can buy their next home BEFORE listing theirs.