BUYERS/SELLERS Information Page

How to Select an Agent: Check your friends, neighbors for a referral. Look in the local real estate magazines, the Internet, for advertisements on real estate. Ads may give some of the agent's credentials. You want an agent who is experienced, and who works full time. Choose an agent who is responsible and responsive, ethical, and who treats real estate as a profession. Once you find a home, the agent will lead you through the process of closing. When listing your home, you need an agent who is experienced in marketing and selling homes like yours. You want a person who knows your neighborhood and has a good track record, can help you preparing your home for showings, advertise to your best advantage, communicate frequently with you to keep you informed of the selling process.

Questions to Ask An Agent When Selling Your Home:

	Agent Name________________________________________________________

	Company Name______________________________________________________ 

	Are you a member of the National Association of REALTORS?__________________ 

	Are you a member of the Multiple Listing Service?____________________________ 

	Are you a full time REALTOR?___________________________________________

	How long have you been in real estate?_____________________________________ 

	Are you broker licensed?_____________________________________________________ 

	What professional designations do you hold (GRI,CRS,e-Pro)?___________________ 

	What recognitions/awards have you received?______________________________________ 

	How may I reach you?___________________________________________________ 

	What educational/seminars have you attended this past year?_____________________ 

	What type homes to you specialize?_________________________________________ 

	What technologies do you use?____________________________________________ 

	Where do you advertise, and how often?_____________________________________ 

	Internet exposure?______________________________________________________ 

	Your marketing and advertising plan?________________________________________ 

	Do you follow up on showings?_________________How?_______________________ 

	How do you communicate with me?__________________________________________ 

	Sales volume last year?_____________________ How many transactions?___________ 

	How many listings do you have?____________________________________________ 

	How many listings sold last year?___________________________________________

	How many did you sell yourself?____________________________________________ 

SELLER PROCESS: THE QUESTIONS ABOVE WILL HELP YOU DECIDE ON AN AGENT: This is the first step in selling your property. The agent should be experienced in marketing and selling homes like yours – the price range and the neighborhood. This is important because the REALTOR needs to understand and empathize with the prospective buyer; needs to understand the value of the amenities of your property and be able to project them; needs to be aware of the sources of financing your type of property.Many times situations arise between contract and closing that require experience. Be sure to hire an agent who has those. Ask for a list of previous list of clients and check them for performance.

MAINTENANCE: First impressions count. Curb appeal is often the reason you get a prospective buyer into the property. Keep lawn and shrubs in perfect manicured condition. Remove stains – oil, rust, and mildew around property. Remove insect nests, spider webs, cobwebs. Have front entrance inviting and sparkling. Be sure doors operate smoothly, no squeaking. Add color – potted plants(live or silk). Clean closets, kitchen cabinets so that space shows. Remove clutter so that the house looks spacious. Scrub bathrooms and make them sparkle. Have bath fixtures shining with no leaks, fix faucets which drip. Clean the carpet, touch up paint if needed. If you have pets or smoke, have a friend do a "sniff" test. Fix gutters, torn screens, decayed wood trim.

DOCUMENTS: Have any floor plans, blue prints, survey of the property, appraisals, floor insurance, house keys, code to security system, mortgage information, utility bills, real property taxes, improvements to property(date and improvement) ready for the REALTOR.

SHOWING THE PROPERTY: Plan to be away from the house when it is shown. If you cannot be away, disappear until the prospects leave (unless the REALTOR has requested you be there). Please do not volunteer information unless the REALTOR asks for information. Turn ALL the lights on and OPEN all the window treatments, even the sheers. Have the house a comfortable temperature. Have SOFT background music playing – "elevator" music, soft jazz, or soft classical. This is to set a stage, not for listening! Remove all cars, boats, etc from driveway so that you won't imply there isn't enough storage space with the property. EXTRAS – Fresh flowers, freshly baked bread OR the smell. Be sure kitchen, baths "shine".

OFFERS: You will be presented an Offer to Purchase and Contract when you sign the listing agreement as this is required by North Carolina per the listing agreement. Your REALTOR will bring you the Offer to Purchase and Contract and explain it and the conditions to you. When a final acceptance and signatures are finalized, the REALTOR will keep you informed of all conditions to be met. In North Carolina, the Seller is required to pay for the preparation of the deed and the Revenue Stamps, REALTOR commission, real property taxes prorated, and the closing attorney a fee for preparation of the HUD1 and closing fee.

CLOSING:The Seller may sign the deed with a notarized signature before closing OR they may attend the closing and sign the deed at that time.

Questions to Ask An Agent When Buying Your Home:

	Agent Name___________________________________________________________

	Company Name_________________________________________________________ 

	Are you a member of the National Association of REALTORS?_____________________ 

	Are you a member of the Multiple Listing Service?_______________________________ 

	Are you a full time REALTOR?______________________________________________ 

	How long have you been in real estate?________________________________________ 

	Are you broker licensed?___________________________________________________

	What professional designations do you hold (GRI,CRS,e-Pro)?_______________________ 

	What recognitions/awards have you received?___________________________________ 

	Do you represent buyers?___________________________________________________

	How may I reach you?______________________________________________________ 

	How much time do you have for me?___________________________________________ 

	Are you available for full days?_____________In the evenings?_______Weekends______

	What geographic area to you represent?________________________________________ 

	What technologies do you use?______________________________________________ 

	Sales volume last year?_______________________How many transactions?___________ 

	How many representing buyers?______________________________________________ 

	What agency relationships do you offer?_______________________________________ 

	Will you work as a Buyer's Agent?____________________________________________ 

	Do you require an exclusive representation agreement?_____________________________ 

	Why should I chose you to work with?_________________________________________ 

BUYERS' Process:

Determine how much you can afford, then how much of this you are willing to pay. Tell your REALTOR the maximum you can/will pay and let the REALTOR decide the price range of properties to show you.

PREQUALIFICATION or PREAPPROVAL: This is the first step in buying a home. It tells you the price you can afford and if any credit problems are to be resolved. A prequalification can usually be done by telephone. It lets you know what you can afford and IF what you say is correct and can be verified then they SHOULD be able to grant a loan. A preapproval is an actual approval of your loan, subject to the house qualifying (appraisal and inspections).This step requires a signed loan application and credit report. You will know how long the approval is good and whether the interest rate is locked in.

SEARCHING FOR A HOME: Make two lists of home requirements: Things you MUST have and things you would LIKE TO have. The REALTOR then can choose matching or like homes to show you. Make notes is the home is a possibility. Share your thoughts with the REALTOR telling them what you liked or disliked about the house so they can get the idea of what your needs are.

OFFER: The REALTOR should give you an Offer to Purchase and Contract at the beginning of the search so that you can be familiar with the paper. When the time comes to make an offer on a home, you will be ready. They will guide you through the offer and closing process.

CONTRACT TO CLOSING: The REALTOR will keep you informed of the progress toward closing. You/your REALTOR should schedule the home inspection immediately as the inspectors are usually backed up. The final inspection date will be arranged by the Offer to Purchase and Contract. The lender will order your credit report and appraisal of the property. You/your lender/ your REALTOR will order the survey after final loan approval. On the closing day, your home insurance should be ready to take effect and your utilities should be ready to be turned on. Your funds to close must be paid by a cashier's check to the closing attorney trust or escrow account. Your closing attorney will prepare the HUD 1and will have the amount for you to bring to closing before the final closing day.