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Before You Sell Your Home, Know Whom To Call
by Kathryn Lively
Pop quiz time: when you sell a home by yourself,
how many people are involved in the process?
You may have answered two: the seller and the buyer. While these two are
probably the most important people involved in the sale of any home, by no means
are they the only people to consider. Just because you have decided to go the
For Sale by Owner route doesn't mean you get to eliminate the middleman.
Selling a home involves more people than you realize.
In fact, there could be as many as twenty people involved in the sale of your
home, people you may have to hire in order to complete a legal, smooth
transaction. That's right. Were you to sell your home through an agency, some
aspects might be covered by the agency with their own people. Otherwise, fees
for various services will come out of your own pocket.
Let's take a look at some of the people involved in the sale of your home:
Attorney / Real Estate Specialist - Unless you are a lawyer, you may require the
services of an attorney specializing in real estate law to see you through a
sound contract. There may be certain regulations applicable to your property
and/or region that a layperson may miss in a contract. Make sure you know
everything in your contract before you sign it, or have a lawyer assist you.
Real Estate Appraiser - It would be nice to slap an arbitrary value on your
property, but in order to sell your home it must first be appraised for
approximate. A licensed real estate appraiser helps determine the worth of your
property through various factors, including damage and reconstruction, value of
nearby homes, and overall condition of the surrounding area. Some real estate
agencies may have somebody on staff for this purpose.
Property Inspector - To adhere to various disclosure laws, it is required to
know everything about your home before you sell. A licensed property inspector
is brought in to make a thorough, unbiased evaluation of your home. Such reports
are helpful to the seller as well as the buyer, as a careful inspection may
alert the property owner to needed repairs he did not know existed.
Mortgage Loan Officer - Say you have a potential buyer for your home. Great! Now
you need to know whether or not he can pay. Here, the assistance of a mortgage
loan officer is needed to confirm the buyer's qualifications and evaluated
overall financial health. This way the seller is armed with that knowledge and
can determine whether or not to sell.
Environmental Specialist - What is the condition of your neighborhood and
surrounding area? Do you live near a plant or factory that may offer living
hazards like pollution? An environmental specialist offers services to evaluate
the home and surrounding property for potential health risks. Depending on where
you live, you may be required by law to report such anomalies.
Tax Advisor - Are you or the buyer required to pay certain taxes attached to the
sale of your home? A tax specialist may be needed to evaluate the sale and
report any levees that must be paid.
Lead Paint Inspector - Especially if you are selling an older home, you may
require aid of a specialist to determine if your home contains lead, whether by
current paint or remnants of old coatings.
Radon Gas Expert - Like carbon monoxide, radon gas cannot be seen or smelled,
and is very deadly. Radon gas emanates from the breakdown of uranium, and may be
a potential hazard if you own an older home. An inspector may need to be called
in to check if your home tests positive for radon.
Sanitary Systems Expert - Make certain your pipes and sewage systems are
operating correctly. A quick call to a sanitary inspector for a clean bill of
health here may be needed.
Occupancy Permit Inspector - Your home may be subject to various occupancy laws,
especially if your property is not detached. An occupancy permit inspector can
advise you with regards to such regulations.
Zoning Inspector - Is your home only zoned for residential purposes, or may it
be sold as commercial property? A zoning inspector can determine the overall
usability of your home.
Survey Company - Where exactly are the property lines? Do you own more acreage
than you realized. You may need to hire a surveyor to help determine the exact
square footage of your property.
Flood Plain Inspector - Do you live in an area susceptible to flooding and
hurricane damage? If your property rests near a flood plain, you may need to
have an inspector take a look at it to determine if your home is safe from
potential hazard.
Termite/Pest Control Company - You may have termites and not know it! Before you
consider selling your home, it is strongly recommended to have a pest control
expert inspect your home for termites, insects and other risks associated with
vermin.
Title Company - Are you legally able to sell the home at all? Is the property
under your name, or do you need the permission of a third party like a former
spouse or relative to sell? Enlist the assistance of a title company to confirm
ownership.
Insurance Consultant - Are you liable for anything beyond the sale of the home?
Will a potential buyer be able to insure the home against all natural disasters?
You may need to consult with your insurance agency before you consider selling
your home to know what is needed from you.
Moving Company - Last but not least, once you do sell your home you have to move
all your stuff! Unless you plan to rent a van and do it yourself, you will have
to call a moving company to assist you.
When you think about it, there are many people involved in the sale of a home.
Though you likely won't see all of them at once, your house can expect to
receive lots of company as you prepare to sell, not all of them buyers! This is
why it is important to consider all factors before going through with a For Sale
by Owner option.
With a real estate professional on your side, however, many of these tasks may
be covered by the agency. This is why it is recommended that you consult with an
agent even if you plan to sell on your own. Get all the facts before you hang
your sign.
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Kathryn Lively:
The Write SEO writes content for Lori Panther, experienced
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