Step 1: Plan/Prepare
Some 5 million existing homes are sold each year, and while each transaction is different every owner wants the same thing - the best possible deal with the least amount of hassle and aggravation. Unfortunately, home selling has become a more complex business than it used to be. New seller disclosure statements, longer and more mysterious form agreements, and a range of environmental concerns have all emerged in the past decade. ... [Read article]

Step 2: Get a REALTOR®
Why use a REALTOR®? There are more than 2 million people nationwide who have licenses to sell real estate, of which about 750,000 belong to the National Association of REALTOR® (NAR). Only NAR members are entitled to use the term "REALTOR®." All Brokers 12 agents are NAR members and must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics. By joining NAR, individuals have access to a wide range of classes, seminars and certification opportunities. ... [Read article]

Step 3: Set the Price
Every reasonable owner wants the best possible price and terms for his or her home. Several factors, including market conditions and interest rates, will determine how much you can get for your home. The idea is to get the maximum price and the best terms during the window of time when your home is being marketed. In other words, home selling is part science, part marketing, part negotiation and part art. ... [Read article]

Step 4: Market It
If you bought a car, you could purchase a given model with selected features from any dealer. Since the car comes from one assembly plant, it's going to be the same whether purchased from dealer Smith or dealer Jones. Homes are different. Each is unique, the marketplace is always in flux, interest rates constantly change and new buyers search for homes each day. ... [Read article]

Step 5: Sell It
There is no question that selling a home is an important event. A home sale represents transition, movement and change. Big money is involved. Households move from the known and comfortable to the unknown and a period of adjustment. There may be job changes, new schools, distance from old friends and the possibility of new ones. No less important, a home sale by itself can be complex. ... [Read article]

Step 6: Close
It might seem as though once a sale agreement has been signed that the selling process is complete. Not only is it not over yet, but some of the most complex aspects of a real estate transaction now begin. A sale agreement sets not only a purchase price for the home, but also a series of terms and conditions. ... [Read article]

Step 7: Moving
Even the smallest home contains a lot of furniture, clothes, kitchen equipment, pictures and other items. For a short move, it may be worthwhile to transport small goods by yourself, but larger items will likely require a professional mover. Assistance and advice from your Brokers 12 REALTOR®, can ease the moving process. It's ideally best to get rid of excess furniture and other goods by having a sale before you move. ... [Read article]

Basement Remodeling Basics
Project Planning: Basement Remodeling Basics Most basements are dark areas where we store seasonal decorations, old toys, sporting equipment and anything else not used on a regular basis. Here are some tips on how to reclaim it as "living" space that we can actually use. Solve Water Problems First Even if you rarely have problems with dampness or flooding, it's best to solve the problem completely before doing any remodeling work. ... [Read article]

Stylish Entry - 1st Impressions
Design Ideas: Stylish Entry When guests visit your house, your front door is the first thing they'll see and, most likely, is the key element that will influence how they view the rest of your house. An attractive, welcoming entrance does more to greet friends and family than any other element of your home's exterior. Most front doors do nothing more than serve their purpose--to let occupants and visitors in and out. ... [Read article]