IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE SELLING YOUR HOME,PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE FOLLOWING

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TRUTH #1: LOCK BOXES

MOST BUSINESS IS DONE BY EXPERIENCED, FULL TIME AGENTS; THEIR TIME IS A PRIORITY. IF IT'S NECESSARY TO PICK UP A KEY AT A OFFICE --THEN IT'S NECESSARY TO RETURN IT TO THE SAME OFFICE. TRUTH: IT TAKES TOO MUCH VALUABLE TIME FOR A AGENT TO RUN AROUND PICKING UP & RETURNING KEYS. WITH OUR NEW ELECTRONIC, CODED LOCK BOXES SECURITY IS NO MORE OF A ISSUE THEN A KEY KEPT AT SOMEONES OFFICE. USE A LOCK BOX!

LISTINGS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR SHOWINGS IN ORDER TO GET A SALE. THE BUYER'S TIME IS THE SCHEDULE THAT DICTATES! USE A LOCK BOX!
Here are some more tips for showing your home:

• Leave all interior doors unlocked.
• Keep all drapes and shutters open.
• Keep all lights on.
• If possible-Leave the premises. Take a short walk with your children and pets. If this is not practical then--
• Let the buyers be at ease and let the agents do their jobs. Do not follow the Buyers around the house. If there are any points of special interest to a buyer it should be covered by the 'fact sheet' at the property.
• Turn the stereo on-keep the volume low.

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TRUTH # 2:PAINT & CARPET

PAINTING YOUR HOME (IF IT NEEDS IT) IS A EXCELLENT INVESTMENT. IT WILL PAY YOU BIG TIME DIVIDENDS--PREHAPS MORE THAN ANY OTHER IMPROVEMENT!

• If the paint(in or out) on your home has serious chipping--or exposed wood, or if the paint(especially on older aluminum siding) looks faded, it is time to paint.
• Paint makes the whole house smell clean and look neat.
• If your carpet is worn, dirty, outdated or an unusual color, you may need to seriously consider replacing it. Many houses do not sell because of this problem. Older carpets retain odors. Prehaps you can't smell them,but the Buyers can!
• Buyers DO NOT have more money than you have to replace carpet or paint. They will just move on and buy another home.

TRUTH #3: CURB APPEAL

A BUYER'S FIRST IMPRESSION OF YOUR HOUSE IS FROM THE OUTSIDE--IT HAS A DRAMTIC IMPACT ABOUT HOW THE BUYER WILL FEEL ABOUT YOUR HOME--BEFORE THEY STEP THROUGH THE DOOR!!

• "CURB APPEAL"(first impression) IS CRITICAL!! Poor curb appeal can cost you money--lots of money!
• Central New Jersey has excellent weather most of the year;New Jersey is "THE GARDEN STATE".
• Outdoor activities are important. People enjoy their yard and take great pain to keep them lovely.
• Walkways should be swept.
• Clean away debris.
• Remove parked vehicles-boats,etc!!
• LANDSCAPING: Think of it as getting dressed for the President's Ball--would you wear blue jeans ??Selling a home is NOT a Square Dance!!

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TRUTH #4: PRICE IT RIGHT-FROM THE GET-GO!!

MOST SHOWINGS FOR A NEW LISTING TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE FIRST 45 DAYS. STUDIES SHOW THAT THE LONGER A HOUSE IS ON THE MARKET,THE LESS A SELLER WILL NET. OVERPRICING--EVEN BY A FEW THOUSAND $$$ CAN MEAN YOUR HOUSE WON'T SELL. LIST YOUR HOME AT A COMPETITVE PRICE BASED ON RECENT COMPARABLE SALES--NOT YOUR EMOTIONS.

When it comes to the listing price--some agents may opt to tell you only what you want to hear and avoid THE TRUTH

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Here are some reasons for pricing your property right from the start in order to net the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time.
An overpriced home:

• Minimizes offers
• Decreases agent response
• Limits qualified buyers
• Decreases showings
• Decreases prospects
• Limits financing
• Wastes advertising dollars
• Nets less for the seller in the long run

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TRUTH 5: CLEANLINESS & ODORS

MOST PEOPLE ARE TURNED OFF BY UNCLEANLINESS. COOKING ODORS AND ESPECIALLY PET ODORS CAN BE VERY OFFENSIVE TO PEOPLE WHILE TOURING A HOME. SELLERS LOSE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT CLEAN AND THEY DON'T TAKE CARE OF PET ODOR OR COOKING ODORS.

• If your house is KEPT clean, you will be able to sell your home faster and net more money at closing.
• You will be moving ; get rid of old junk now. Have a garage sale--have two garage sales! Your home will appear much less cluttered & therefore appear larger.
• Odors must be eliminated, particularly if you have dogs, cats, young children in diapers or if you are a smoker.
• You may not notice the smell, BUT THE BUYER WILL!!.
• Many agents have a difficult time communicating to people on the subject of odors.
  
  

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  THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE AND IT SURE WILL HELP YOU TO SELL YOUR HOME

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  Charlie Frank Broker/Sales Associate Hamilton Office 4603 Nottingham Way Hamilton Sq., NJ 08690 office: 609-890-3300 Cell: 609-977-8600 fax: 609-586-9609 e-mail: cfrank@comcast.net

  
  
  
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