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Appraisers are very careful in their inspections and certain standards must be adhered to.

Mechanical Systems - All of the utilities must be on for the appraisal.
Roofs - must be in good shape with little or no curling or crumbling of the shingles and with no leaks in any areas. Usually the appraiser requires a 2-5 year life left in the roof. If there are any damaged or missing shingles, or vent boot jacks, they must be repaired as required.
Wood - Any rotten, deteriorated, cracked, broken and missing areas of wood, siding or trim must be repaired or replaced and painted to match the house. This includes outside buildings if included in the appraisal.
Paint - Any peeling paint must be scraped, sanded, primed and painted to match. FHA is sensitive to paint issues if the home was built prior to 1978 as there could be lead-based paint in the home.
Sewer/Septic - Septic systems must be in good working order.
Private Streets - Must have recorded easements and maintenance agreements. The appraiser will require proof to be provided to the lender before closing.
Crawl Space - Must be dry with no visible damage due to moisture. The appraiser will require corrective measures to ensure the area is dry. The crawl space area must be free from debris such as lumber, trash, etc.
Windows - Any broken windows or fogged double pane windows must be repaired or replaced. Torn screens must be replaced as well.
Doors - All doors and locks must be in working condition.

Reasons To Work With A Realtor®

REALTORS® aren’t just agents. They’re professional members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict code of ethics. This is the REALTOR® difference for home buyers:

1. An expert guide
There are over 180 steps in a real estate transaction involving the sale of a home. It also requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other legal documents. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes. Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved, so you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.

2. Objective information and opinions
REALTORS® can provide local information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They also have objective information about each property. REALTORs® can use that data to help you determine if the property has what you need.

3. Property marketing power
Property doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. A large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts with previous clients, friends, and family. When a property is marketed by a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

4. Negotiation knowledge
There are many factors up for discussion in a deal. A REALTOR® will look at every angle from your perspective, including crafting a purchase agreement that allows you the flexibility you need to take that next step.

5. Up-to-date experience
Most people sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each sale. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS® handle hundreds of transactions over the course of their career.

6. Your rock during emotional moments
A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. And for most people, property represents the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you.

7. Ethical treatment
Every REALTOR® must adhere to a strict code of ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. As a REALTOR®’s client, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters.

8. Save time

Above all else, hiring a Realtor will save you hours and hours of time. Sure, you might save some money but think of all of the hours of research, paperwork and marketing you will have to do. Your time is worth something, right? Realtors have all of the resources to successfully sell your house without taking up your time.

How To Get Top Dollar For Your Home When You Sell

Here are some tips to prepare your home for the market and get the highest price possible.

Exterior

Cut back on any overgrown shrubbery that looks scraggly or keeps light out of the house.
Paint the house if necessary. At least touch up front shutters and window frames.
Keep walks free of snow and ice.
Inspect roof and gutters. Replace missing shingles and keep gutters and down spouts in place.
Repaint/stain the front door.
Put a light coat of paint on the mailbox.
Consider planting flowers outside the front door.
Repair broken outdoor steps

Kitchen and Bath

Make the kitchen bright and attractive by painting cabinets and installing new curtains.
Clean the ventilating hood over the kitchen range.
Make sure all appliances are in good working order.
Remove appliances from counters to make kitchen look larger.
Repair dripping faucets and unclog slow drains.
Remove stains from sinks, bathtubs, showers, and toilets.
Keep fresh towels in bathrooms.
Check ceilings for water spots. Fix any leaks and repair the ceiling and paint.

Throughout the home

Repair cracked plaster in walls and ceilings.
Avoid off beat wall colors. Stick to whites and pastels.
Clean the fireplace.
Wash windows, repair broken glass and mend torn screens. All windows should function.
Replace burned out light bulbs and replace with brighter bulbs (avoid fluorescents).
Clean closets and remove any excess items.
Eliminate musty room odors.
Lubricate sticky or squeaky doors.
Clean attic, basement and garage. Dispose of everything that won’t be moved.
Paint dark ceilings and walls a lighter color.
Remove clutter to make rooms look larger.

Prepare For Your Move

Use this checklist to ensure an easy transition to your new home!

Eliminate items you no longer need. You can do this by selling , recycling or donating items. Click here for resources.
Hire a moving company. Be sure to find out what items they will not move.
Update your mailing address at usps.com or fill out a change-of-address form at your local post office.
Change your address with important service providers, such as your bank(s), credit companies, magazine subscriptions, and others.
Create a list of people who will need your new address. Emailing family members, friends, and colleagues is the best way to let people know of your new address.
Contact utility companies. Make sure they’re aware of your move date, and arrange for service at your new home if the service provider will remain the same. Click here for contact information.
Pack an “Open First” box. Include items you’ll need most, such as toilet paper, soap, trash bags, chargers, box cutters, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pens and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, towels, and basic toiletries.

If you’re moving a long distance:

Obtain copies of important records from your doctor, dentist, pharmacy, veterinarian, and children’s schools.
E-mail a copy of your driving route to a family member or friend.
Empty your safe deposit box.

Moving Tips:

Ask friends, family and co-workers if they have any boxes they no longer need.
Use your towels to wrap fragile items such as dishes.
Utilize clean garbage bags to move clothes, bedding and pillows.
Pack extra heavy items, such as books, in a suitcase with wheels.
Use the inside of pots and pans to pack small kitchen items like spices.
Pack sharp knives in oven mits to keep them from piercing through the boxes.

Having a Garage Sale

Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter and earn a little extra cash before you move.

Don’t wait until the last minute
Depending on how long you’ve lived in your home and how much stuff you want to sell, planning a garage sale can take a lot of time and energy. And that’s on top of the effort of putting your home on the market!

See if neighbors want to join in
You can turn your garage sale into a block-wide event and lure more shoppers. However, a permit may be necessary for each home owner, even if it’s a group event. The Nextdoor app is a great way to connect with your neighbors to see if they want to have a Neighborhood-wide sale.

Schedule the sale
Sales on Saturdays and Sundays will generate the most traffic, especially if the weather cooperates. Start the sale early — 8 or 9 a.m. is best — and be ready for early birds.

Advertise
Place an ad in the newspaper, free classified papers, and websites, including the date(s), time, and address of the garage sale. Add information about what will be available, such as kids’ clothes, furniture, or special equipment. On the day of the sale, use balloons and signs with prominent arrows to grab attention.

Price your goods
Clearly mark rounded prices (50 cents, 3 for $1, or $5, for example) with easily removable stickers.

If it’s junk, recycle or donate it
If it’s truly garbage, throw it away or place it in a freebie bin. Don’t try to sell broken appliances, and have an electrical outlet nearby in case a customer wants to try plugging something in. For more information, check out the Moving Resources section.

Display items nicely
Organize by category, and don’t make customers dig through boxes.

Stock up on supplies
Having a stock of old shopping bags that can be reused encourages people to buy more items. Newspapers are handy for wrapping fragile goods.

Manage your money
Obtain ample change for your cashbox, and have a calculator on hand. Assign one person to man the “register,” keeping a tally of what was purchased and for how much.