SELLER'S GUIDE

Our goal is to make your real estate transaction as smooth and easy as possible. We have complied this information for you in order to help achieve this goal. Your agent is here to serve you, so please don't hesitate to ask questions. We are not attorneys and cannot give you legal advice; therefore we urge you to seek the advice of an attorney should you require legal assistance on any aspect of your transaction.

1.) Just so that you know, we are required by law to present to you ANY offer received on the property. If someone makes a verbal offer, we will inform you (although to be enforced it must be written). It is strictly up to you whether or not you accept, reject or counter an offer. Every offer has its own particulars, since each buyer has their own circumstances. Your agent can give you the pro's and con's of any offer. Your agent will also prepare an Estimated Closing Costs sheet for you on each offer received, to assist you in deciding what to do with the offer.

2.) Please be thorough and complete in filling out your "Transfer Disclosure Statement". Put down everything you know about the property, even if you would rather not! A fully informed buyer who has had everything disclosed to them in writing can't come back later and say "I didn't know". Disclosure statements are there to protect you, as well as the buyer, from future trouble.

3.) Be sure to inform your agent of anything (other than your normal personal property) you plan to take with you from the property. Such items might include: shelving units, ceiling fans or special light fixtures, curtains or drapes, storage sheds, potted plants or special variety plants/flowers, landscaping ornaments, personal spas, TV antennas, etc. Generally, anything that is attached to the home or property is included in the sale unless specifically excluded by the buyer and seller. A list of items you wish to take with you will help avoid misunderstandings.

4.) List all the upgrades you have added to the home for your agent. Some upgrades are not readily apparent and we like to be sure we have everything included so as to show your home with the best possible list of amenities.

5.) Please keep your agent informed as to where you can be reached during the listing and escrow period. If you need to go out of town, let your agent know where you will be. If you can not be reached, check in with your agent frequently so that we can keep you informed as to how your property progressing and if we need any information from you. You can always leave a message with our answering service as to your whereabouts should you be unable to reach your agent directly.

6.) Above all else, please let us know how we can help you. We want your transaction to be as smooth as possible and to ensure that our service to you is the best available. All of our agents, as well as Roberta Urban, the Broker/Owner of O'Hara Realty, are always available to you, to answer questions or assist you in any way. Please don't hesitate to inform us as to what you need and how we can be of service.

SAFETY TIPS:

1.) From time to time, prospective buyers get over-eager and may approach you to see the house without an agent. We advise you to NOT show the property to anyone you do not personally know. You can get their name and phone number and have your agent set up an appointment to show them the property. All of our agents are more than happy to show property at any time, and we have a 24 hour answering service so that prospective purchaser are always able to get ahold of one of us. A truly bona fide buyer will be happy to go through the proper channels to see the home.

2.) The same would hold true for real estate agents. In almost every case, they follow the rules of the Multiple Listing Service and call first before showing your home. On rare occasions, they may come to your door and ask to see the property right then. Unless it is convenient for you and they are from a known and reputable company, our advise again is to NOT let them see the house but tell them you would be happy to make an appointment for them to tour the property at another time.

3.) Put ALL valuables in your safety deposit box when you list the house. Anything that could be picked up and/or pocketed should not be on display, but kept in a safe place. We have never had trouble with this in Galt luckily, but times do change and it is better to be safe than lose a cherished family memento or valuable jewelry, etc.

4.) Our lockboxes are programmed to work only between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:00 pm. This means that agents would have access to your home between these hours (of course, they are supposed to call first always). If those hours are not convenient for you, please let your agent know and your lockbox can be reprogrammed with acceptable hours. HOW TO GET TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR PROPERTY

This is not as hard as you might think. The properties that get the top dollar are the ones in top condition. It does not matter if the property is old or new. A property with "curb appeal" and a neat, clean & uncluttered interior will sell just about every time.

There are many very simple things you can do to spruce up your home. You don't necessarily have to make major additions or undertake extensive remodeling. A fresh coat of paint, clean carpets & windows are a big plus when a prospective buyer comes to call.

In order to get ready to sell your home, the first thing you should do is take a "tour" of your property. Your O'Hara agent will be happy to help you with this. Do this tour with the intention of looking at your home newly, as a potential buyer will. Try to imagine it is the first time you have seen the property. Make a list of items you would like to correct as you go. Cover all the interior and exterior of the property. The following is a handy checklist of items you can check to see if they need attention:

*Mow & edge lawns
*Weed & rake flower beds
*Sweep walks & entry
*Replace or remove torn screens
*Keep kids toys put away
*Store any unnecessary furniture
*Store any unnecessary memorabilia
*Clean &/or polish all cabinets
*Replace needed light bulbs
*Clean carpets
*Wash all windows inside & out
*Clean stove & oven
*Unclutter any countertops (kitchen and bath rooms)
*Paint, polish or clean front door
*Oil any squeaky hinges & tighten any loose knobs
*Check & repair any caulking in showers & bathtubs
*Ensure that all pet odors are thoroughly eliminated

Almost every home has some "deferred maintenance". Those little "fix it" items that sometimes you haven't gotten around to. Now is the time to set aside a day or a weekend to get those things done. If you don't have the time yourself, you can hire a handyman, cleaning lady, contractor, electrician or any other professional to help you. If you shop around, you may find that some of those little fix it items are not too expensive to get fixed.

TO PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY TO BE SHOWN:

*Put jewelry & valuables in safety deposit box
*Keep pets in a secure area
*Turn on all lights
*Open all curtains & blinds
*Turn off TV's & radios (except light background music if desired)
*Have thermostat set for comfort
*Take a walk or sit out back to let the buyers comfortably look through the home without feeling like they are inconveniencing you.
*Don't try to show the home yourself, unless asked to (which usually only occurs with unique properties)
*Answer questions if asked but let the agent show the home and do the job you're paying them for!

All agents and prospective buyers know that you DO live in your home, and no one expects it to be perfect every time - especially when homes can get shown at a moments notice! But, hopefully these tips will help you and your agent get you the top dollar for your property!