Have you been thinking about selling your home?  Selling your home is a big step and I am here to help the process run smoothly and efficiently.  My goal as a licensed REALTOR® is to provide you with as much information as possible so that you can make an educated decision when you choose a REALTOR® .  I offer my sellers an honest opinion on sales price and what they can do to sell their home as quickly as possible.  I have a comprehensive marketing plan to get your home SOLD.  If you would like to know what your home is worth, I can present you with a FREE Comparative Market Analysis!

Do you want to know how much your home is worth?  Click the graphic below to start your request.

Why should I list my home with Melanie Wright?

Click Here 

Would you like to run your own search to see what your home may be worth?  You can set up an account and save your search so that listings will be automatically e-mailed to you as new or changed listings hit the market within your search criteria?  Click the Search the MLS link to the left to get started.

When you are ready to get your home SOLD, I will prepare a FREE Comparative Market Analysis for you.  Give me a call to set up an appointment to preview my extensive CMA with my entire marketing plan.  Click Your Home's Value to the left to make your request.

 

Email me to request a FREE copy of my monthly newsletter

 

 

Selecting an Agent

Your Real Estate Agent Should Be:

·   A full time, hard-working professional

·   Fully aware of the market conditions and available financing

·   Backed by professional marketing management

·   Associated with a reputable Real Estate firm

·   Aware of the recent State and local requirements affecting property

·   Willing to cooperate with all Brokers

·   Committed to the highest of ethical standards

·   Associated with a strong team of lenders, inspection companies, title companies and other Real Estate services professionals.

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Tips to Sellers 

Let Your Home Smile a Welcome to Buyers

1.) First impressions are lasting.  The front door greets the prospect.  Make sure it is fresh, clean &  scrubbed looking.  Keep the lawn trimmed, edged and free of refuse.

2.) Decorate for a quick sale.  Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal.  Why try to tell the prospect how your home could look when you can show them by redecorating?  A quicker sale at a  higher price will result.

3.) Let the sun shine in.  Open draperies and curtains and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be.  (Dark rooms do not appeal.)

4.) Fix that faucet.  Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.

5.) Repairs can make a big difference.  Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from home value.  Have them fixed.

6.) From top to bottom.  Display the full value of your attic and other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles.

7.) Safety first.  Keep stairways clear.  Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.

8.) Make closets look bigger.  Neat, well-ordered closets show that space is ample.

9.) Bathrooms help sell homes.  Check & repair caulking in bathtubs and showers.  Make this room sparkle.

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When the Agent Shows Your Home

1.) Can you see the light?  Illumination is like a welcome sign.  The potential Buyer will feel a glowing warmth when you turn on all of your lights for an evening showing.

2.) Three’s a crowd.  Avoid having too many people present during inspection.  The potential Buyer will feel like an intruder and hurry through the house.

3.) Music is mellow.  But not when showing a house.  Turn off the blaring radio or television.  Let the Agent and Buyer talk free of disturbances.

4.) Pets underfoot?  Keep them out of the way – preferably out of the house.

5.) Silence is golden.  Be courteous, but don’t force conversation with the potential Buyer.  They want to inspect your house – not pay a social call.

6.) Be it ever so humble.  Never apologize for the appearance of your home.  After all, it has  been lived in.  Let the trained salesperson answer any objections.  This is his/her job.

7.) Why put the cart before the horse?  Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishings to the potential Buyer before they have purchased the house often loses a sale.

8.) A word to the wise.  Let your Realtor discuss price, terms, possession, and other factors with the Buyer.  He/She is eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.

9.) Use your agent.  Show your home to prospective customers only by appointments through your Realtor.  Your cooperation will be appreciated and will close the sale more quickly.

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Moving Expenses 

When you meet the IRS’s definition of a qualifying move, the following items are tax deductible:

·   The cost of trips to look for a home in the area of a new job.  Your home shopping expedition does not have to be successful for the cost to be deductible.

·   The cost of having your furniture and other household items shipped, including the cost of  packing, insurance, and storage for up to 30 days.

·   The cost of getting your family to the new home town, including food and lodging expenses on the trip.

·   The cost of lodging and 80% of food expenses for up to 30 days in the new home town, if these temporary living expenses are necessary, due to the fact that you have not yet found your idea home or it is not ready when you arrive.

Certain costs associated with the sale of your home and purchase of the new one.  These expenses, including real estate commissions, legal fees, state transfer taxes and appraisal and title fees, could be used either to reduce the gain on the sale of the previous home or boost the basis of the new one.  However, it’s usually beneficial to count them as moving expenses up to the allowable dollar limits, for that gives you an immediate tax benefit.

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Checklist For Moving 

Before You Leave

Address Change

• Post Office: Give them your forwarding address
• Charge Account, Bank Accounts, Credit Cards
• Subscriptions: Notice requires several weeks
• Friends and relatives 

Bank (if relocating)

• Cancel any automatic payment or direct deposit arrangements.
• Transfer funds & arrange check-cashing in new city
• Arrange credit references 

Insurance

• Notify company of new location of coverage
• Life, Health, Fire & Auto 

Utility Companies

• Gas, Electricity, Water,  Telephone, Fuel, Garbage & Cable TV
• Get refunds on any deposits made (if canceling services)

 Delivery Service

• Laundry, newspaper, change-over of services 

Children

• Register in school
• Transfer school records
• Arrange for daycare 

Medical, Dental Prescription Histories (if relocating)

• Ask Doctor & Dentist for referral, transfer needed prescriptions, eyeglasses, X-rays
• Obtain birth records, medical records, etc.  

Pets

• Consult a Veterinarian about moving your pet
• Obtain all records
• Ask about regulations for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc. 

And Don’t Forget To:

• Empty freezer; plan use of foods
• Defrost freezer & clean refrigerator.  Place charcoal inside to dispel odors.
• Have appliances serviced for moving.
• Clean rugs or clothing before moving; have them moving wrapped
• Clean &/or repair furniture and curtains.
• Check with your moving company or insurance coverage, packing & unpacking labor, arrival day, various shipping paper, method & time of expected payment.
• Plan for special care needs for your infants or pets.
• Assemble first day items – soap, toilet paper, pencils, paper, toiletries, bath towels, utility knife, scissors, trash bags, etc.
• Obtain relocation package from Real Estate agent or Chamber of Commerce in your new city.
• Arrange for storage (if needed)
• Find out about tax deductible moving expenses.
• Obtain all personal records from lawyers & accountants.
• Assemble packing materials
• Have car checked & serviced for the trip.
• Pack a day or two worth of extra clothing in case of delay

On Moving Day

• Make a list of every item and box loaded onto the truck.
• Carry enough cash or travelers checks to cover cost of moving services & expenses until you make banking connections in your new city.
• Carry jewelry & documents yourself or use registered mail.
• Carry an assortment of toys for your children (if needed)
• Let a close friend or relative know your route and your travel schedule, including overnight stops.  Use them as your message headquarters.
• Double check closets, drawers and shelves to be sure they are empty.
• Turn off all appliances and lock all doors & windows.
• Leave all old keys needed by new tenant/owner with your Realtor or neighbor.
• Let the movers know where you can be reached.

At Your New Address

• Check off all boxes & items as they come off the truck.
• Install new locks.
• Check on service of gas, electricity, water, telephone, garbage & cable TV.
• Check pilot light on stove, hot water heater & furnace.
• Have appliances checked.
• Ask mail carrier for mail he or she may be holding for you.
• Apply for state driver’s license (or just address change if needed)
• Visit city offices and register for voting.
• Register car within 5 days after arrival in state or a penalty may be paid when getting new license plates.
• Obtain inspection sticker & transfer motor club membership.
• Arrange for medical services: doctor, dentist, veterinarian, etc.

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Tax Calendar

Important Dates       

	January	Jan 1st – Assessment Date
2nd Installment	February	Feb 1st – 2nd Installment Due
	March	Mar 1st – Taxes on Unsecured Roll Due
January 1-June 30	April	April 10 – 2nd Installment Delinquent  April 15th – Last day to file Homeowners, Veterans & Senior Citizen Exemptions
	May
	June	June 8th – Publication date for delinquent taxes
	July	Jul 1st – Beginning of Fiscal Year to July 1st of following year  Jul 1st – Properties w/delinquent taxes sold to State  Jul 1st – Owners to be informed of new taxes  Jul first Monday – Assessment Appeal Board  Jul 30th – Last day to advise owners of new values
	August	Aug (late) – Sale numbers assigned for delinquent taxes
1st Installment	September	Sept (mid) – Tax rates set
	October	Oct (last week) – Tax rates set
July 1-December 31	November	Nov 1st – First installment due
	December	Dec 1st – First installment delinquent