Sellers Agent Article    Check List     Estimated Closing Costs

SELLER'S AGENT

A seller’s agent WORKS ONLY FOR THE SELLER and has legal obligations, called fiduciary duties, to the seller. These include reasonable care, undivided loyalty, confidentiality and full disclosure. Seller's agents often work with buyers, but do not represent the buyers. However, in working with buyers a seller’s agent must act honestly. In dealing with both parties, a seller's agent. may not make any misrepresentations to either party on matters material to the transaction, such as the buyer's financial ability to pay, and must disclose defects of a material nature affecting the physical condition of the property which a reasonable inspection by the licensee would disclose. Seller's agents include all persons licensed with the brokerage firm which has been authorized through a listing agreement to work as the seller's agent. In addition, other brokerage firms may accept an offer to work with the listing broker's firm as the seller’s agents. In such cases, those firms and all persons licensed with such firms, are called "sub-agents." Sellers who do not desire to have their property marketed through subagents should so inform the seller's agent.

"SHOW AND SELL" CHECKLIST

If you want to get the best possible price for your house, start by making sure it looks its best, inside and out. The following checklist offers several easy things you can do to improve a buyer's first impression of your house. Go through it point by point before you list your house, and again immediately prior to every open house and showing; while all the points may not apply to you, the process will help you develop an eye for the most attractive aspects of your house.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN SHOWING

• Repaint siding
• Repaint or touch up trim
• Repair/repaint gutters and downspouts
• Repair/repaint fences
• Seal driveway
• Remove oil stains from garage floor
• Wash all windows
• Remove an screens (windows look cleaner)
• Trim trees, hedges, shrubs
• Weed and feed lawn
• Remove all clutter (garden tools, toys, etc.)

Entrance way

• Check working order of doorbell and exterior light
• Replace welcome mat
• Repair/repaint storm door and/or front door
• Clear interior entry of all clutter
• Clear and clean out front hall closet

Living/Dining/Family/Bedrooms

• Repaint or touch up walls and ceilings
• Repair/replace old molding
• Shampoo carpeting and/or wash and wax floors

• Remove excess or unattractive furniture
• Clean curtains, shutters, blinds, etc.
• Clean fireplace, mantle, shelving
• Replace old bedspreads

Kitchen/Baths

• Repair or replace faucets and fixtures
• Repaint or repaper walls
• Thoroughly clean range/oven, refrigerator and other appliances
• Clear out and dean cabinets, drawers, and medicine chests
• Remove clutter from countertops
• Clean or replace curtains
• Grout tubs and showers
• Replace old toilet seats and shower curtains

General

• Replace burned-out light bulbs
• Clear cobwebs from corners and doorways
• Wash light switches, hand rails, and doorknobs
• Clear and clean all closets
• Add "welcoming" touches: potted plants, dried flowers, etc

BEFORE EVERY SHOWING OR OPEN HOUSE

Exterior

• Pick up tools and toys
• Put garbage cans in garage
• Close garage door
• Park cars on street or around corner

Interior

• Clear off an counters and table tops
• Turn on all lights
• Open shades and curtains
• Put soft music on stereo.
• Give the house a pleasant aroma - fresh bread, fire in fireplace, etc.
• Set dining room table
• Make all beds
• Set thermostat at comfortable temperature

House & Community Information
(display in entrance way or another prominent place)

• Paid utility bills
• Current property tax receipts
• Real estate listing sheet
• Floorplan (if available)
• List of upgrades you've put into the house
• Map and/or list of community features and point of interest
• Warranty information on appliances

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ESTIMATED CLOSING COSTS FOR SELLERS:

                 ITEM                                  PRICE RANGE ITEM

1. Attorney fee ..................................................$850 - $950
2. Transfer tax ..................................................$2.00 per $500 up to $150,000 $ 3.25 per $500
                                                                  $150,000 - $200,000 $ 3.90 over $200,000
3. Adjustments (tax, etc.)
4. Survey ......................................................... $200 - $400
5. Pending assessments (unless agreed in contract to be assumed by purchasers)
6. Real Estate service fee....................................as per listing agreement

This is provided for general information and is not intended to be an exact estimate of costs.

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