As the seller, you hire an individual real estate broker to represent you during a specified contract period. This represents you during a specified contract period. This written document is called a "Listing Agreement." Texas Real Estate Group will meet with you personally to prepare the agreement. Before you actually list your house, however, both you and Lora must do some homework.

To prepare for the listing appointment, you will need to collect and provide the following information:

Texas Real Estate Group will study recent sales of comparable homes in the neighborhood as well as listings of similar homes that are currently for sale. Creating a comparative market analysis Lora will be able to show you solid facts and figures. We want you to get the best price for your home in the shortest time possible. To do this, you need accurate and current information about the real estate market.

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Many sellers think that an overpriced property simply can be reduced if it doesn’t sell. The danger with this approach is that by the time the property is finally reduced to its market value, it may have been on the market so long that buyers perceive it to be a tainted property. Buyers then question how long the home has been on the market and why it hasn’t sold. Their offer to purchase, based on the knowledge, may be below its actual value.

It makes other homes more attractive - helping to sell the competition. It can waste the initial surge of buyer interest. Fewer sales associates will be inclined to show your home. Fewer prospects will respond to our ads. It can lead to mortgage rejections and critical lost time.

Texas Real Estate Group can prepare a market analysis to arrive at an initial price that is both realistic and fair to you as the seller, but also attractive to buyers. This pricing process takes in to account a number of key factors, which include the property location and condition, and the market history and current activity.

*** HAVING A CUSHION TO NEGOTIATE DOES NO GOOD IS YOU HAVE NO ONE TO NEGOTIATE WITH ***

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You may think an additional bedroom or a new pool would add thousands to the resale of your home, but that may not be the case. Sellers are often surprised they are unable to reclaim all the costs involved with remodeling their homes. Recouping your entire investment is ideal when you sell your house. But all home improvements are not equal at the time of resale. Consider that kitchen and bathroom remodels pay back about 90 percent or more of their costs. But finishing a basement usually pays back only a third. Other improvements are somewhere in between.

Here are some estimates of the costs you can expect to reclaim on typical home remodeling projects: ·

• New heating system: 100 percent                                               
• New air conditioning system: 76 percent
• Minor kitchen remodel: 93 percent to 103 percent
• Major kitchen remodel: 91 percent
• Bathroom addition: 93 percent
• Family room addition: 85 percent
• Remodeled bathroom: 76 percent
• New fireplace: 75 percent
• Outdoor deck: 74 percent
• Home office: 70 percent
• New windows: 70 percent to 75 percent
• In-ground pool: 45 percent
• Upgraded landscaping: 32 percent to 62 percent
• Finished basement: 33 percent

Actual payback depends on the real estate market and current property values. If the pace of home sales has slowed, expect to see less payback than you would in a faster market. Also, consider the other homes in your neighborhood. If you remodel your house to twice the square-footage of your neighbor's, you cannot realistically expect to sell at twice the price.
Sometimes smaller projects can pay back more than larger projects because of their more immediate visual improvement. These projects tend to be more cosmetic: fresh paint, flooring, moldings, new doors, window coverings, and ceiling fans.
You can always call me to discuss improving the resale value of your home.

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A home that stands out from similar houses on the market is the home that sells. A good first impression lasts - and gets offers fast!

You may not be able to improve the market value of your house by finishing the basement or remodeling the kitchen. But you can improve its marketability. How? "Clean up, fix up and toss out." Look at your house from a potential buyer's perspective. In fact, if you visit some open houses, you'll probably pick up some pointers. Make your home as appealing and uncluttered as the home you wish to buy.

When your home is to be shown, we will always attempt to make an appointment with you, giving you as much advance notice as possible. To help the best impression, we suggest you:

15 Suggestions for Selling Your Home

1. First impressions are lasting.
View your house through the critical eyes of a homebuyer. Make sure your home has "curb appeal." The front door greets prospects. Make sure it is clean and freshly painter. Depending on the season, keep your lawn trimmed and edged, and remove snow and ice from the walks and steps. Keep garage doors closed and trash containers out of sight.

2. Paint and touch up for a quick sale.
Faded walls and scratched woodwork reduce buyer appeal. Your house will show the best with a fresh coat of paint. The key to a quality paint job is adequate preparation; it’s important to patch holes, scrape peeling paint, sand the surface and, if necessary, put on a primer coat. Remember, it is difficult to anticipate the tastes of strangers. Use neutral colors and show buyers a sparkling clean home.

3. Let the sunshine in.
Windows should be clean. Open curtains and draperies and show the buyer how bright and cheerful your home is. For evening inspection, turn on all your lights. Proper illumination of the house is a welcome sign to a potential buyer.

4. Minor repairs can make major differences.
Replace all burned-out light bulbs. A dripping water faucet discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing. Loose knobs, sticking doors and broken cabinet drawers detract from your home's value; please fix them. Repair cracked windowpanes, torn screens, broken sashes and ropes and cords as well.

5. From top to bottom.
Show buyers the full value of your attic, basement and other utility spaces by removing all unnecessary articles. Brighten dark, dull basements by painting walls; cure damp smells with a bag of limestone. Now is a good time to wash the outside of your water heater, change the furnace filter and make sure inspection access is easy.

6. Safety first.
Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.

7. Make closets look bigger.
Neat orderly closets show that space is ample. Since you will be moving anyway, remove or pack items that can be stored elsewhere.

8. The kitchen is important.
Many buyers judge housekeeping by the kitchen. Oven, stove and other appliances should be spotless. Repair or replace anything that sticks, squeaks or drips. Counter space should be kept open and uncluttered; store countertop appliances. Floors and walls should be bright and clean.

9. Bathrooms help sell homes.
Rust stains and dripping faucets suggest faulty plumbing. Check and repair caulking and grouting. Tile should be free of soap film, mildew, lime, or rust. The sink, toilet and tub should sparkle. Hang a new shower curtain. Clean mirrors, windows, and window coverings. Tighten hardware and towel racks. Use the highest-wattage light bulbs your fixtures will allow. And adding well-laced mirrors will both brighten and expand a small bathroom.

10. Arrange bedroom neatly.
Furnishings should be uncluttered. Pay special attention to closet spaces. Add organizer units, baskets or tubs to corral your possessions. Use attractive bedspreads and curtains. Dress up the bed with an arrangement of plump pillows.

11. Clean the garage.
The ideal garage holds only cars. Sell, give or throw away unnecessary articles. Clean oily spots on cement floors and use strong overhead lighting. Keep storage areas and workbenches orderly. Remember, from the outside your garage looks best with the door down.

12. Showing the family room/living room.
These areas, as centers of family activity, should be open and inviting. Try fresh flowers, wood in the fireplace and either air conditioning or fresh air to set the atmosphere.

13. Three is a crowd.
Avoid having too many people present during inspections. It's best to show the home when no one is there. Then the prospective buyer won't feel like an intruder who wants to hurry through the house.

14. Pets underfoot.
If at all possible, keep pets out of the house.

15. Music is mellow.
Turn on some soft, mellow music. Set the volume low so the salesperson and the buyer can talk without disturbances.

16. Pleasant Smells.
Burn a scented candle or spray room freshener.

17. Floors.
Clean carpets and vacuum often. Check for hardwood floors beneath the carpeting. You may be able to pull up the carpeting and refinish or simply clean and wax the floors to create a classic, new look. Repair cracked or broken tiles. Make use of neutral-color area rugs to diminish the impact of the flooring beneath. Polish wood floors.

When both buyer and seller agree to all terms (including changes made in any counteroffer) and indicate agreement by their signatures, the contract becomes "firm." With signatures and notification to all parties, a sales contract now exists.

Price

Earnest Money
An earnest money deposit is usually credited to the buyer and applied to the down payment. If the buyer fails to follow through with the contract once it’s accepted, it is customary for the earnest money to be forfeited to the seller.

Multiple Offers
It is possible to receive more than one offer to buy. All offers that are registered before a final acceptance must be presented to the seller. As the seller, you should hear each offer and ask questions. You do not need to act until you've heard all offers. If more than one offer is accepted or countered, an order of precedence must be established, such as primary, first backup, second backup and so on. Your listing sales associate will answer your questions as they occur.

Conditions
Review the contract for the special conditions under which the buyer is offering to buy your home. A common condition is one in which the purchase of your home is contingent on the buyer selling his or her old home. The conditions may also include providing assistance with closing costs.

Buyer's Loan Processing
If the buyer is financing the purchase of your house, the process will typically take 30 to 60 days. On the chance that a buyer's financing will not be given final approval, you should keep the house in good "showing" condition.

Your Property Title
As part of the contract process, you must prove to the buyer that you have a clear title on the house - that you own the property, and that there are no legal claims against it. Proof of title is provided by:

Your Details
You sales associate or attorney can help you gather the paperwork that the contract requires. Some of the details you'll probably need to handle include:

Buyer's Final Inspection
A walk-through inspection several days prior to settlement allows the buyer to determine if conditions of the contract are satisfied. The buyer should have inspected and noted any defects during the contract negotiation and prior to signing the sales agreement. It is up to the buyer to perform the inspection. The selling and/or the listing agent should accompany the buyer. The seller may or may not be present, but should make sure that utilities are on so that equipment can be operated.

Signing Papers and Passing Keys
At the settlement (closing), the home seller should bring all warranties on equipment (or leave them in an obvious place in the house) and instructions on equipment maintenance or operation. Be sure to bring all keys and electric door openers.

Texas Real Estate Group will explain the settlement sheets to you. These outline the closing costs to you. Typical costs for the seller include:

• State deed transfer tax
• Termite inspection, if applicable ($60-$70) – VA or FHA loans
• Abstracting costs ($250 - $350)
• Recording Fee ($40)
• Mortgage balance pay-off
• Interest on the mortgage up to the date the mortgage is paid-off
• The real estate agent's commission
• Pro-rated taxes and homeowner's association dues, if applicable
• Homeowner's warranty
• Well/Septic inspection ($70-$150), if applicable
• Deed preparation ($50-$70)

If property or homeowner's insurance have been in escrow with your lender, you'll receive any money that is accumulated in that escrow account for bills not yet due. You'll actually receive these funds at or after settlement.

The seller, the buyer and the agents receive a copy of the settlement sheets.
The listing broker's closing department will actually disburse money after all the funds are in hand, the new lender has reviewed the papers, the title has been examined and the deed recorded.