Frequently Asked Questions Part 1

My next few blogs will focus on seller and buyer questions that I am frequently asked.  The first one is below and it can be a biggie!

What should we do to get our home ready to show and sell?
Below are guidelines, and certainly each situation is different and it is not always possible to complete everything on this list. 

It's a good idea to get a termite inspection so you know if your home will need to be tented and what to expect.

Get smoke and CO2 detectors in compliance if your home is older.  California now requires CO2 detectors.

Note any items in the home that may need to be fixed or replaced prior to selling.  You may not have to fix or replace, but knowing and getting estimates will help determine any pricing concessions you may have to make.   Get a home inspection if you are not sure.  Inspectors are incredibly thorough and knowing issues in advance will help in the long run.  Escrow can become difficult if the buyer's inspection reveals major problems previously undisclosed.  Disclosing or repairing in advance will make a big difference.   Your real estate professional will go over all of the required disclosures and questionnaires that cover your particular situation.

Organize and clean, in fact it's a great idea to start packing items you don't use regularly if you have a garage to house the boxes.  You want your home to appear neat, clean and uncluttered.  You want a prospective buyer to be able to picture themselves and their things in your home.  It's a good idea to take pictures down (and repair and paint) and put away knick knacks.  It's great if beds can be made and floors picked up, but realistically, many of us have kids and we know how their rooms look.  So do your best, without making your family crazy.

Decide what appliances will stay with the home and gather the paperwork you have on each, including warranties, receipts and manuals.

Spruce up the front yard.  Curb appeal means a lot.  It's the first impression a potential buyer will have of your home.   And make no mistake, buying a home is a transaction, but it is based on emotion.  Remember when you bought your home?  You probably knew it was the one you wanted as soon as you saw it. 

Work with your agent to set a price.  Understand the rationale behind the pricing on your home and the plan to market your home. 

Finally, and I cannot stress this one enough, like the agent you list with!  Do they call you back and respond to texts and emails right away?  Do they seem difficult or have trouble listening to your ideas?   Do they have references or outstanding reviews online?   Do you trust them, would you recommend them?  These are important things to consider before you sign a listing agreement!



 

I'm baaack.   If you read my blog before you know it was very personal and family oriented, as well as all about my crazy life in a blender (blended family).  If you know me well you know that I recently took the leap of faith into real estate full time.  I have probably called you.   If not, I will be calling you soon.  Please answer!

I will provide a brief history here.  I used to work for The Ryness Company, a national new homes sales and marketing company.  It was a dream job that I got very lucky to land and it lead me to many wonderful people and my first career love, real estate.  Don't get me wrong, I worked very hard!  I worked on the corporate side of real estate while at Ryness, although I earned my license in 2006.  If you know anything about new homes sales, you know what happened in 2008.  I was resilient.  I went back to school and earned my BA.  I became exceptionally entrepreneurial and held down many positions while earning my degree.  Fast forward to 2013.  I was working part time in real estate while maintaining a full time position at a digital marketing agency.  I liked the people, but it wasn't rewarding in the way I needed it to be.  I needed a challenge that I could win and be passionate about.  Yes, I know being passionate about something is a bingo buzzword, but it's the best way I can explain how I felt.

Fast forward to today.  I said I needed a challenge right?  Well I found my challenge and I am loving it.  Is it difficult?  Yep.   Is there an easy way to get ahead?  Nope.   I will elaborate more in future posts.

So, I am resurrecting my blog so you can follow my progress and perhaps even learn something about me, and even real estate.  I promise to keep it light and fun and real.  I post some hard core stats on my Facebook page, which I hope you will "like" (www.Facebook.com/SuzanneColemanRealEstate) and my website (www.SuzanneRColeman.com) has lots of informative articles as well as a home search feature for available listings from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). 

Here on the blog I want to keep it honest, real and hopefully entertaining and maybe even funny!  I guess I will be funny next time.

Maybe I do Need to Blog

Ever since I finished my degree and the stress of school has been off of me I haven't felt the need for the blog outlet.  I guess school was that thing that broke the camel's back because I still have the economy, three kids, two teenagers, one preteen whose attitude may very well equal that of a hat full of assholes, too many sports, your grades were what?, emergency rooms, you're allergic to what?, my student loan is due, and I could go on for at least three more blogs.  It seems the time has come for the outlet again.

Now what do you ask is the most recent need for this outlet?   I have these conversations with these people in my home.  People who have small children post funny conversations they have with their children on Facebook.  I remember those.  That was back when I thought parenting was really difficult.  I had NO IDEA.  One time a thousand years ago Sam was three and  in the back seat of the mini van back when I had a mini van and the conversation went like this:

Sam:  "BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH Loud Noises Blah, Non Sense"   For like 10 minutes straight
My 80 year old Grandmother was in the car and I'd had about enough
Me:  "Sam that's enough noise, be quiet"
Sam:  "LA LA LA LA TELE TUBBIES BLAH"
Me:  "Sam, enough or I'll pull the car over"
Sam: (30 seconds into the silence) "Mommy are you going to pull the car over now????"

OK so that's funny
She was three

She is 15 now.  I have these conversations with these people in my home.  I am an adult.  Sometimes I feel like there are cameras in my home and someone will pop out from "behind the scenes" and the whole thing will be an episode of candid camera, or sometimes the Dr Phil show (I would kick his ass) or some other unreal reality show.  One thing is for sure, I had no idea I'd be having these conversations.

Sam:  "I feel sick, like I might throw up"
Me:  "How can I help"
Sam:  "You can't"
Me:  "Wanna sleep down here?"
Sam:  "No"
Me:  "Want some tea?"
Sam:  "No"
Me:  "Want me to come upstairs?"
Sam:  "No"
Me:  "How can I help?"
Sam:  "You can't"
Me:  "What do you want me to do?"
Sam:  "Nothing"
Me:  "OK"
Sam:  "I feel horrible"
Me:  "Sorry"
Sam:  "I just feel hot and cold and disgusting"
Me:  "How can I help"
Sam:  "You can't"
-Silence-   She won't go away
Sam:   "I'm going to barf"
Me:  "OK did you catch a bug?"
Sam:  "I don't know, My stomach hurts"
Me:  "Do you need to go to the bathroom?"
Sam:  "I feel hot"
Me:  "Can you go to bed?"
Sam:  "I'm dizzy"
Me:  "Why are you dizzy?"
Sam:  "I'm thirsty"

Getting the gist here.....the kid makes no freaking sense.....12 years later.  I've always said it, it's like a who's on first routine.  It doesn't help that she is on prednisone right now for her asthma, but this is a relatively normal occurrence.

Parents of precious little kids who say funny things you post on Facebook, enjoy that.   In the wink of an eye they are going to say things that make you think you must surely be on a reality show because there is no sane explanation for why they are saying the shit they are saying.  Worse yet, you are gonna say some really stupid stuff back.

General Update

We'll start on a negative note.....

I don't really want the answer to this but I do need to ask...what the hell is up with all my browser issues?  If my blog is hosted on Google and I try to log in using Chrome, shouldn't I have a great experience?  The answer, to me, is yes, to my computer, is apparently different.  To my smug as hell Mac friends, shut it.  I love my Google and my PC.  I shun your Mac and Firefox....However, on my marketing travels I have come to learn that certain platforms "like" certain" browsers, so I have found it necessary to become familiar with all of the popular browsers, despite my opinions.  I honestly know that IE is widely out of favor, but I hate change.  I tried Chrome, and got used to many of the features only to find that many sites "liked" Firefox.  Well guess what, I don't.  Well guess what else, I don't count for jack squat.  I have all three browsers loaded on both of my laptops and I get to constantly struggle to learn who likes what.  Hey internet, how about thinking about what Suzanne likes for a change??  My children have clearly influenced the internet because it listens no more than them.