Home Seller Tips

You may be an expert in something, but it probably isn’t real estate; even if you have been through the process as a buyer. Here at Bozeman Brokers, we want you to have the best home selling experience possible! We believe that having individual real estate representation in the selling process helps you to get the most out of the experience. This list is here to clarify some of the ambiguities about using a Realtor as your listing agent.

The reasons you should probably use a listing agent-

Negotiation experience

The average years of experience for the Brokers in our office is over 25 years. Our agents are creative problem solvers and their negotiation experience can help guide you to a successful sale of your home.  

Network of trusted vendors, inspectors, lenders, and appraisers

Experienced Realtors have connections with quality vendors, contractors, and inspectors that will help the process move along as smoothly as possible. Agents know the vendor types necessary for a home to be put  into tip-top shape before listing the property.

Full disclosure

One of the largest percentages of lawsuits in real estate occur because of disclosure issues – when a buyer unknowingly adopts undisclosed negative aspects of a home. Experienced Realtors help you navigate disclosure issues prior to the sale of your property and therefore limit your liability. 

Interest advocacy

The top priority of a listing agent is to protect the best interests of the seller. Realtors are their client’s confidants. 

Broker Partner Dan Porter says “A seller or buyer needs to know they can trust their Realtor to represent their interest  with honesty and fairness at all times and maintain their confidence throughout the process.”

Market trend information

Montana is a non-disclosure state. This means Realtor and appraisers are the only professionals with access to real time market data. Third party realty sites like Zillow and Realtor.com do not have access to sales data in the state of Montana. Realtors give sellers a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of their home utilizing up-to-date sales data on the Multiple Listings Service (MLS).

Access to professional marketing materials and personnel

Bozeman Brokers Real Estate has a graphic design and marketing specialist in house. This allows for a timely, customized and professional marketing approach based on the individual needs of each client. 

Peace of mind

Real estate documents are contractual. Experienced Realtors can fully explain your rights and liabilities pertaining to each document in layman’s terms. Listing agent representation gives you access to a database of accurate knowledge enabling a greater understanding of the transaction. 

The reasons you may think you don’t need a listing agent but actually do-

“What is the value of a listing agent”

The average consumer does not buy or sell real estate daily. Realtors work on multiple real estate transactions each month. That experience may be the difference between a successful transaction and a legal liability. The experience of a Realtor is showcased in the guiding suggestions and advice prior to listing, while on the market, during prospective negotiations, while the property is under contract, and all the way through closing. 

“Middlemen are unnecessary”

This notion may be a common belief amongst many. In the case of real estate having an expert on your side can make all the difference in the world. 

Broker Partner, Patrick Resop, says “We have outside sources that either buyers and sellers may not be aware of, from lenders to inspectors, to appraisers and so on.  We are a terrific source of information to assist them in ending up with the end result that helps them achieve their goals.” 

“I’m not their only client, they won’t have time for me”

Good Brokers and Realtors are exceptionally talented at juggling multiple clients. In fact, the busiest agents are generally some of the best agents to work with. Our agents are full-time active Brokers in the local real estate market. So yes, we are in the know and we do have time for you.

Hopefully this has helped you come to the conclusion best for you, if you are still unsure contact us at the Bozeman Brokers office – 406-587-5900 – or shoot us an email – info@bozemanbrokers.com –  and we can walk you through the next steps of the home selling process.

By: Michaela Sherritt

Why Bozeman?

There are many draws to Bozeman that make the city a favorable place to live. Beautiful views, safe neighborhoods, and outdoor activities galore. Yet, average home prices nearly double the national average. Many homeowners are finding that now is the best time to sell and capitalize on the active housing market. Working with a local agent who understands the market is often the best decision to maximize your profits.

Seller or Buyers Market

Selling your home at the right time can maximize the price of your property. Zillow.com suggests that we are currently in a seller’s market, but when should you expect to sell your home for the maximum value? What time of the year is most optimal to sell your home the fastest? Let’s look at some data and speed up your sale.

Bozeman Growth

Gallatin County is growing at a rate of nearly 10 new residents a day. It is growing faster than any other city in the state of Montana. From 2012 to 2018 Bozeman has grown 24% adding another 22,225 residents within city limits alone. Bozeman also has the strongest economy among cities its size across the United States, according to a Policom poll. This economic and population growth makes for a better market to sell your home.

Bozeman Home Prices

We are currently in a great seller’s market, with national trends rising steadily since 2012. From January 2019 to November 2019, Bozeman’s median single-family home prices rose ~ 7.23%, from $429,000 and rose to ~$460,000 by late November 2019. During the same timeframe, housing in Gallatin County saw an increase from $517,000 to ~$555,500.

Best Time to Sell in Bozeman

We’ve addressed the market, but when is the right time to sell your home in Bozeman? National trends suggest that February provides the strongest seller’s market, year-over-year. However, volatile Montana winters make February a very difficult month to prep your home for sale. Data from Realtor.com suggests that April is the best month to sell your Bozeman home, followed by March (2nd) and May(3rd).

There are some great benefits to selling your Bozeman home in the spring. Warmer temperatures make cleaning and prepping your home easier. Commuting to view homes is safer. Landscapes are starting to flourish. With 14x more property views and 5% less competition, you could sell your home up to 6 days earlier.

Let us help you sell your Bozeman real estate property this spring. Our brokers give you the advantage of experience and knowledge to provide you with successful negotiation and a smooth transaction. We pride ourselves on having well established, educated and experienced brokers.

References:

• https://www.zillow.com/sellers-guide/best-time-to-sell/
  
• https://www.taunyafagan.com/bozeman-price-trends/
  
• https://www.buybozemanhomes.com/blog/studies-show-april-is-the-best-time-of-year-to-list-your-home.html
  
• https://www.zillow.com/home-values/
  
• https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/business/gallatin-county-economy-ranked-strongest-of-its-size-in-u/article_9bb7afe7-551a-54dc-bc81-c8c55e1685a1.html
  
• https://bozemanrealestate.group/resources/blog/how-fast-is-bozeman-growing
  

1. No TV, Computer or Exercise Equipment
   Let go of the TV, computer or exercise equipment in your bedroom. The good feng shui bedroom energy is destroyed when these items are present in your bedroom. In addition to creating high EMFs (dangerous for your health), they also bring the energy of work, stress, and are mainly a distraction and bad news for your relationship (with yourself or your loved one).
2. Quality of Air in Your Bedroom
   Open the windows often or use a good quality air-purifier to keep the air in your bedroom fresh and full of oxygen. Be mindful of the quality of air in your bedroom. You cannot have good feng shui in your bedroom if the air you breathe in is stale and full of pollutants. Please note, though, that plants in the bedroom are not good feng shui unless your bedroom is fairly large and the plants are located far from the bed. Essential oils can also help you purify the air in your bedroom, but be sure to choose actual essential oils (they have healing properties) vs. fragrance oils (which are mostly toxic).

View our PDF with 6 more awesome tips on how to Feng Shui your bedroom!

1. Clean Your Ceiling Fan
   Despite my rationalizations, ceiling fans get dirty and eventually need to be cleaned. Here is the most painless way to tackle a dusty ceiling fan:
   You will need:
   • A pillowcase
   • A ladder
   • Dusting spray (optional)
   Directions: Spray the inside of your pillowcase with dusting spray (this will help clean the blades AND help repel more dust from accumulating), climb ladder, and cover fan blade with pillowcase. Then, gather the top of the case together and slide it off of the blade, taking all the dirt and grime with you.
   Repeat on all fan blades. This chore used to take lots of time, effort, and paper towels.
2. Clean and Freshen Your Mattress
   While it’s impossible to wash your mattress, this cleaning trick will have it smelling and feeling fresh in no time!
   You will need:
   • Baking soda
   • Essential oil (optional)
   • Vacuum cleaner with furniture attachment
   Directions: Strip the mattress of all bedding. Put a cup of baking soda into a container with a tight-fitting lid, add 4-5 drops of your favorite essential oil (I love lavender!), replace the lid, and shake! Now sprinkle the mattress liberally with the baking soda mixture. Allow the baking soda to sit on the bed for an hour or two. This allows the baking soda time to soak up any body oils. Then, use the vacuum’s furniture cleaning attachment to vacuum up the baking soda. Go over it several times, in different directions, to ensure optimal results. Your mattress is refreshed, and the lingering smell of the lavender essential oil will ensure a good night’s sleep!

View our PDF detailing 5 more great cleaning tips & tricks!

The type of wiring in residential homes generally depends on when the home was built, where it was built and if it has been updated. In older homes, knob and tube type wiring was the norm, replaced later by plastic-sheathed wiring.

Often, newer electrical panels and updated wiring are good indications that a home has been maintained to code. It is always a good idea to have any electrical work completed by a licensed professional. The investment will not only make your home a safer place to live, but will also pay dividends for you when it is time to sell.

Lastly, when staging your home for buyers, avoid using extension cords or outlet splitters. Reducing this type of electrical clutter will keep buyers focused on your home, and not its outlets!

The greatest way to show a home is to have a key available. This is typically done by placing it in a secure lock box, provided to you by your Real Estate Professional. This will give agents, with prospective buyers easy access to your property and promote showings. Following these simple staging guidelines will also help:

• Keep all lights on, even on the sunniest of days.
• Keep all draperies and shutters open.
• Leave soft music playing at a low level.
• Take a short walk or drive with your children and pets.
• Let the Realtor and clients view the home without your presence.
• Burn a scented candle to add a pleasant aroma to your home.
• Let the buyer be at ease and let the agents do their job.

By employing these successful staging strategies with an aggressive marketing plan, we can achieve a maximum sales price in the shortest number of days. Please contact me if there is anything I can help you get your home ready to sell.

It’s a common fact that clean homes net more money. Most people are turned off by even the smallest amount of uncleanness or odor when looking at homes to purchase. Sellers lose thousands of dollars because they do not adequately clean their homes or rid them of offensive odors.

If your home is squeaky clean, you will be able to sell your home faster and net more money.

If you are planning on moving, why not get rid of that old junk now so that your house will actually appear larger? Make more space. Odors must be eliminated, especially if you have pets, young children in diapers, or a smoker in the house. A little work now can pay huge dividends at closing!

In today’s real estate market it is more important than ever to have a professional who truly represents your best interest. A qualified listing agent works for you — the home seller.

Here are some things to consider when hiring an agent:

1. The offer is typically written by an agent who represents the buyer’s best interests.
2. Your listing agent will represent you, the home seller, as your exclusive sellers agent.
3. Your listing agent will carefully go through the entire offer with you and furnish you with expert guidance and counseling. Your listing agent will help you put together a response that will give you the highest possible price for your home and do everything possible to protect you from liability.

Remember, you are depending on your listing agent to represent your best interests at all times and to be a strong negotiator on your behalf. Good guidance here can also make the entire transaction go more smoothly and greatly decrease the chances of litigation.

Did you know the best chance for selling your property is within the first seven weeks?

It’s true.

Studies show that the longer a property stays on the market, the less the seller will net upon the sale. It is very important to price your property at a competitive market value at the signing of your listing contract. The market is so competitive that even over-pricing by a few thousand dollars could mean that your house will not sell.

An Overpriced Home:

• Minimizes offers
• Lowers agents response
• Limits qualified buyers
• Lowers showings
• Lowers prospects
• Limits financing
• Wastes advertising dollars
• Nets less for the seller

When you are ready, contact me today for a personal market value analysis of your home. No hassles or obligation – just honest advice on how to get top dollar for your home!

You will spot several different types of plumbing systems in any housing market, including your own. Copper, galvanized, rigid plastic, polybutylene, and soft plastic are but a few. Certain systems are more prone to having certain problems.

Fixing minor plumbing repairs today can save you time and money when you are ready to sell. Buyers are expecting your home to show its absolute best while on the market. Anything less suggests that other things might also be wrong.

At the same time, big upgrades may go unappreciated.

Before you make improvements, give us a call. We can help you determine which areas will pay the highest dividends, and which ones won’t!

New paint makes the entire home smell clean and neat, and can bring sellers top dollar. If your home has chipped paint, exposed wood, or surfaces that looks faded, it’s time for new paint. If your carpet is worn, dirty, outdated, or an unusual color or style, you might consider replacing it.

Many houses do not sell because of these problems. Don’t think that buyers have more money than you to freshen up a home. They typically don’t. They will simply look elsewhere for a home that needs less work.

Most buyers choose to drive by your home first before wanting to set an appointment to view. An attractive yard that is free of debris will gain interest quickly. Make sure that trees are trimmed and that your home can be seen from the street. Have the grass mowed, trimmed and edged. Walkways should be swept. Clean away all debris. Remove parked cars or RVs. When in season plant flowers to add color.

Remember, if the buyer does not like the outside, that person simply drives on to the next house. Get your home ready for drive by traffic and give folks something extra nice to look at.

Call us today for a no-nonsense, no obligation assessment of your homes value and let me show you the key factors in obtaining a top dollar sale on your home! We would definitely like to help you in any way we can!

Sellers can be a little confused when they are asked to sign an asbestos disclaimer. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and when exposed, tiny particles can be released into the air you breathe.

Asbestos is a common insulator used in many homes. It was used for for many other things including siding, tape wrapping for furnace air ducts, and in some “popcorn” ceilings. There are several remedies that range from the simple to the complex.

When you are ready to sell, please contact us and we can dispel a lot of the myths about asbestos. It’s a lot more common than you might think.