A showing takes place either at an open house, which is a scheduled session when anyone can come by without an appointment, or during an appointment scheduled with me.

We'll talk through specific preparations so that your house is positioned competitively in the market. And, I'll put you in contact with professionals such as renovators, decorators, and stagers who can help.

Preparations will include two phases. During phase one, before photos are taken and before the first showing, consider the following action items:

• Clean deeply.

• Paint some or all of your house.

• Do minor repairs such as caulking tubs and windows.

• Make major repairs - if needed and in your budget, such as replacing your counters or appliances.

• Stage your furniture to showcase your home's best features.

• Remove personal items such as family photos.

• Declutter every surface and storage space.

• Reorganize your closets and pack excess items.

• Eliminate odors by cleaning the fireplace or shampooing rugs.

• Create an appealing color scheme with curtains or pillows to warm up your home.

• Upgrade your lighting or lightbulbs to make your rooms brighter.

• Spruce up the landscaping.

• Power-wash your decks and sidewalks if needed.

Phase two, the last-minute prep just prior to any showing, includes:

• Turn on the lights and open the blinds for maximum light.

• Take out the garbage.

Three important things you can do to help get your house sold are:

• Leave when your house is being shown. Buyers prefer to look at homes when they can move around freely and the owners aren't there.

• Make your house as available as possible. While it may be inconvenient to show your home at certain times, buyers who can't see a property when they're eager may cross it off their list.

• Listen to any feedback from buyers or their agents about ways you can make your home more appealing.

• We'll work together to ensure maximum exposure and a faster sale.

An offer to buy your home is a purchase agreement signed by the potential buyer that includes:

• The amount of the offer

• An explanation of how the buyer will pay, such as cash or a pre-approval for financing

• The terms - such as a request for closing-cost help or contingencies such as the sale of the buyer's house, a final mortgage approval, a satisfactory home inspection, and an appraisal

• A target date for closing

• An earnest money deposit

• A time limit for the offer

When you receive an offer to buy your home, we'll review it and consider whether you want to accept it.

Whether you have one offer or several, we'll look at:

• The amount offered

• Whether the buyer has included or waived contingencies

• Where the funds are coming from, such as all-cash, a reputable local lender, a well-known online lender, or an unknown out-of-town lender

• The proposed closing date and date of possession of the house to see if it aligns with your needs

• Any special requests for items to convey or for special inspections

If you receive multiple offers, we'll explore the following options:

• Accept the best offer. If one offer stands above the rest, you can accept that one right away. But be careful not to be swayed by a high offer if the financing seems uncertain or if the buyer hasn't explained a plan for a possible low appraisal.

• Counter all the offers to get a better price and terms.

• You can ask all potential buyers to give you their best offer by a certain deadline.

• Counter one offer that's close to what you want. If you like one offer but think the buyer could do a little better, you can send them a counteroffer to see if they'll accept.

• I'll negotiate until both you and the buyer agree on the final contract. I'll be your ally during the negotiations, leveraging my data and expertise to work on your behalf.

A home inspection is a thorough review of your home's structure and systems by a professional home inspector. A buyer can use the inspection report to decide to rescind their offer if a major issue is uncovered, or to request repairs if the contract is contingent on a satisfactory report. In some cases, a home inspection is solely for the buyer's information and can't be used to negotiate.

The inspector will check:

• Structural conditions such as the foundation, beams, and floors

• Roof condition

• Mechanical systems such as heat and air conditioning

• Appliances - to make sure they're working, although some inspectors skip appliances that are not built-in

• Plumbing - for leaks, rust, and water pressure

• Electrical systems such as grounded outlets and code violations

• Safety issues such as stairs, handrails, mold, or chimney maintenance

The inspector won't check some items that are unusual or inaccessible, such as:

• Septic systems

• Wells

• Underground pipes and sprinkler systems

• Swimming pools and spas

• Playground equipment

Before the home inspector arrives, you should:

• Clean your house.

• Remove or crate your pets.

• Make sure all your lightbulbs work.

• Empty your washing machine, dryer, oven, and dishwasher - in case they are inspected.

• Make sure everything is accessible, including your attic, crawlspace, garage, and any sheds.

• Leave a note if anything doesn't work and explain that you're getting it fixed.

• Provide documents about maintenance and repairs.

• Leave your phone number for the inspector.

• Leave the house.

Once the inspection report has been generated, we'll discuss how to handle any possible issues a buyer mentions. We can negotiate with the buyer, decide to fix an item, provide money for the buyer to fix it, or provide documentation that the problem has already been addressed. I can help you handle any inspection issues as they arise.

Appraisers use as many measurable pieces of data available to provide an accurate value of your property, including:

• Comparable properties in your area that are of similar size, age, and condition.

• The condition of your home's systems and structure

• The square footage of your property

• The number of bedrooms and bathrooms

• Your location

• The quality of your flooring, plumbing, and electrical systems

Appraisers include research about other properties and neighborhood values, as well as an in-person visit for their evaluation of your home.

Preparing for an appraisal is similar to prepping for an inspection. Consider the following action items:

• Provide a list of all major improvements to the home and the age and condition of your roof, heating and air conditioning system, and appliances.

• Provide any permits required for home improvements.

• Clean your house.

• Provide full access to all rooms and spaces, including the garage, sheds, attic, and crawlspace.

• Remove or crate your pets.

• Leave the house, or at least stay out of the appraiser’s way.

An appraisal could require a renegotiation if the property value comes in lower than the sales price. The appraised value dictates the maximum amount the lender will allow the buyers to borrow, minus their down payment. Depending on how the contract was written, if the appraisal is low, we can:

• Ask the buyer to come up with extra cash to make up the difference between the loan amount and the purchase price.

• Reduce your price to the appraised value.

• Split the difference with the buyer.

• Cancel the contract.

Should this happen, we'll explore all available options in the context of the contract and market conditions.