So you have decided to sell your property. Before anything else, it is a good idea to sit down and clarify your motivations and draw up a basic time frame for the selling process.
Why Are You Selling?
Why have you decided to sell your property? Do you simply want to find a larger property, or do you plan on moving to an entirely different neighborhood, school district, city or state? Your reasons might be obvious to you, but it would do well to consider all the implications of every option regarding your lifestyle, opportunities, and finances. When you are clear about your intentions for selling it will make it easier for us to determine the most best option for your personal lifestyle, financial, and real estate goals.
You should immediately decide on your time frame for selling. If you need to sell very quickly, we can speed up the process, and give you a complete market analysis and action plan to attain all of your goals. If, however, there is no immediate need to sell, you can meet with one of our expert real estate agents to review all the current market conditions and find the most favorable time to sell for you.
When you work with us, you can rest assured that you will have our knowledge, expertise and negotiating skills on hand for you to find the best market prices and terms. We will constantly update you on what is happening in the marketplace at all times; and the price, financing, terms and conditions of any competing properties. With us, you will know precisely how to price and when it would be best to sell your property.
When you decide to sell your property it requires a serious consideration of your current financial situation and your future possibilities. With our expert agents, you will be able to effectively assess the cumulative impact of any changes, estimate all potential proceeds of selling your property, and plan effective tax savings and estate planning methods. We will make sure that you take full control of your finances, and use them to their full potential
You may decide you want to sell your property independently. There are many good reasons, however, why you should select us to assist you in this important task. We will make sure that you maximize your opportunities in the real estate market in which you are trying to sell. With our extensive network of contacts which we have developed through all the national and international organizations, where we are members, as well as our clients, we will utilize the best marketing and advertising strategies for your property. We will also help walk you through the complicated paperwork involved, from the initial agreement to the final documents on closing.
Without an agent on hand, most private property sellers tend to overestimate the value of their own property. You can avoid this easily by consulting with one of our experienced real estate listing agents.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when listing your property for sale:
1. The Curb Appeal
Maintaining your landscape to a pristine state, and adding sall creative touches to your yard, like colorful annuals, will create an immediate impact on any passers by and your potential buyers.
2. Repairing The Property
Simple improvements to your property like window repairs, a fresh coat of paint outside, and inside in the most frequently used rooms will instantly brighten up the property.
3. Cleanliness And Staging
Keep your property neat, smelling sweet and well lit from on all floors. Be particular about details: put away the kitty litter, gather the pet toys, place some fresh flowers near the entry, bake a batch of cinnamon rolls in the oven, clean your carpets. Your agent will look over the property before it is listed to be sold to find any ways with which you can improve on the staging of your property.
4. Disclosures And Inspections.
We are thoroughly familiar with all the legal processes involved in disclosures and are ready to help you create a detailed disclosure statement that will benefit both you and the buyer. We will also suggest any home improvement measures before placing your property on the market (like termite and pest inspections).
5. Time To Show.
Presenting your property before potential buyers is something that we will take care of for you. Buyers usually feel more comfortable discussing the property with the agent, if you are actually not there. Also, your agent, as your representative, will know what information will be most useful to your interests when speaking with prospective buyers.
The well known adage “The higher the price, the better the offer,” is misleading. Price is not always the main determining factor when accepting an offer for several very important reasons: as a rule, the initial offer is usually not final, and there are a number of terms and conditions that may determine the final outcome of a price. You can trust our agents to help you thoroughly evaluate and peruse every proposal without compromising your position as a seller.
Negotiating The Correct Way.
It is our ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms, and we take that responsibility very seriously. It is our job to find the win-win agreement that is beneficial to all parties involved. You may have to deal with several different offers before deciding on the one you judge to be the most appropriate for you, and as your agents, we always guarantee a thorough and objective assessment of each offer to help you make the correct choice.
Most buyers will have to have the property inspected by a licensed property inspector within the timeframe that was agreed upon in the effective purchasing contract. Some buyers may choose to have the property inspected by different kinds of inspectors, they may wish to obtain professional opinions from inspectors who specialize in a specific area (eg. roofing, HVAC). If the agreement is conditional upon financing, then the property will be appraised by a licensed appraiser to determine the value for the lending institution through a third party. This is usually done so that the lending institution can confirm that their investment in your property is accurate. Buyers of commercial properties may also have a complete environmental audit performed and/or a soil test, if so required by the lending institution.
Either a title company or an attorney will be selected for you as the closing agent, whose job is to examine and insure clear title to the real estate. After researching the entire recorded history of your property, they will certify that: your title is free and clear of any encumbrances (eg. mortgages, leases, or restrictions, liens) by the date of closing; and that all new encumbrances are duly included in the title.
A contingency is a condition that needs to be met before a contract becomes fully legally binding. For example, a buyer will usually include a contingency which states that their contract will be binding only when there is a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified inspector.
Before completing their purchase of your property, the buyer will go over every aspect of the property, as provided for by the purchase agreements and any applicable addendums. These will include:
Obtaining the financing and insurance; Reviewing all of the pertinent documents, such as preliminary title reports and disclosure documents; and inspecting the property. The buyer has the right to determine the accurate condition of your property by subjecting it to a wide range of inspections, like roofing, termite/pest, chimney/fireplace, property boundary survey, well, septic, pool/spa, arborist, mold, lead based paint, structure, HVAC, etc.
How should you respond objectively and fairly to the buyer when a renegotiation is demanded, while acting in your own best interests? This is when a professional listing agent can make a real world difference in the outcome of the transaction. Having dealt with all kinds of property sales in the past, we guarantee our professional expertise and total commitment to all our customers, no matter what their situation is.
We usually suggest that you accept buyers who have a lender’s pre-approval, approval letter, or written loan commitment, which is the best guarantee of loan approval than compared to a pre-qualification or no documentation from a lending institute. You should expect an appraiser from the lender’s company to review your property and verify that the price of the sale is appropriate.
There are still a few loose ends to consider once closing day has arrived:
Final Walk Through Inspection.
The final inspection usually takes place a day before, or the actual day of closing. The buyer will visit the property one final time to verify that everything is in working order, that everything is the same as the last time they viewed the property, that there are no extra items left behind by the previous owner, and that everything included in your purchase is still there.
We are there to help you should an unforeseen issue pop up, even at this stage. In case something at the property breaks or some other minor detail rises up there is no need to worry. These things happen, so we know how to handle them efficiently and in a stress free manner.
The closing agent will furnish all parties involved with what is called a settlement statement. The settlement statement summarizes and details all the financial transactions enacted in the process. You and the buyer, or buyers will sign the statement together with the closing agent, certifying its accuracy. If you are unable to attend the scheduled closing, arrangements can be made depending on the circumstances and the notice you give us. If you are receiving the funds to the transaction, you can choose to either have the funds wired electronically into the aforementioned escrow account, or receive a certified bank check to the closing in the amount specified on the settlement statement. The seller will usually arrange to have all property keys and any other important information and items for you at the closing so that you may receive them at this time.
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Staging Your Home
In order to sell your home quickly, you will want to prepare it to make sure it is looking its best. This preparation is called ‘staging’ and is often the difference between a home selling quickly or instead languishing on the market for months. Staging a home takes a lot of hard work, care and attention to detail. The sooner you begin to prepare your house for the market, the more effective staging will be.
Three to Six Months Before Marketing Your House
Three to six months before you plan on putting your house on the market you will need to paint. Choose neutral colors with only one or two accent colors to break up the monotony. You will want to have all of the carpets and drapes cleaned or replaced. Neutral colors and patterns are the rule of thumb here as well. You will want to give the exterior a similar face lift. Finally, be sure to fix everything in need of repair. The dripping faucet, the broken drawer handle and the cracked light switch faceplate are a few examples of little touches that make a huge difference. You want to present a house looking brand new rather than lived in.
One Month Before Listing Your Home
One month before listing your house, consider getting a home inspection. Your buyers will do this anyway and it will help you to know what needs to be fixed up ahead of time. A few hundreds spent in advance will pay off dividends in the long term.
This is also the time to de-clutter. Pack away everything you can. Less clutter will help potential buyers to have a vision of what their tastes and styles will look like in their new home. Try to remove everything which makes the house yours. This will take a lot of effort, but it will help your house sell faster. Remember, you want the buyer to imagine the house is their home. That is not possible if the house already feels like it’s someone else’s.
One Week Before Showing Your Home
Your house must be clean. Your house must be clean enough to pass the inspection of the most critical mother-in-law imaginable. It needs to dazzle! Consider hiring a cleaning service to come weekly until the house is sold. A small investment upfront will be rewarded at the closing. Have a kind, but honest friend come over and give your home a ‘sniff’ test. Odors that you have grown accustom to will turn away a potential buyer. Cigarette odors, pet odors and mildew are just a few smells that can seep into a home without you realizing it. Finally, view your home from the street. This will be your buyer’s first impression. Try to look at your house with a stranger’s eyes. What do you see? Do you see any last minute improvements it needs? Make sure you take care of them right away.
The Day Before Your House is Shown
Besides making sure everything is clean, walk through the house and remove any signature items. A baseball glove by the back door, paperwork on the desk, a DVD left out near the TV, must all be tucked away before the potential buyers rings the bell. Open all the curtains to provide as much light as possible. Consider one or two friendly accents like fresh flowers on the table or a seasonal door hanging on the front door. Stand in the center of the house. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Open your eyes and look around. Does everything look and feel clean and welcoming? Yes. Then your done. Your house is ready to meet it’s soon-to-be new owners.
Staging your home will take time, effort and money, but it will pay off when your house sells quickly and at the price you want.
Taking Great Listing Photos
Taking fantastic pictures of your home may be the single most important thing you can do to help sell it. Almost all house hunts begin online. During an online search, buyers focus on the pictures when paging through listings. Once a picture has caught their eye, then, and only then, will they look at the printed information. Recent studies show that listing your home with high quality pictures can shorten the amount of time it is on the market by several weeks.
There are many ‘expert’ opinions about how to take photographs for a house listing and they all disagree. Nevertheless, taking eye-catching, professional looking pictures is easy if you follow some basic guidelines. Plus it can be a lot of fun.
When taking pictures of the inside of the house, it is best to concentrate on the main living areas. Take pictures of the living room, dining room and other common areas. It is advisable to skip the bedrooms unless one of them has some extraordinary feature like a fireplace or an amazing view.
When photographing a room, angle the camera to feature two walls. The frame should include a window or an interesting aspect of the room. Avoid getting too much ceiling in the shot. Feel free to move furniture and ornaments around in order to stage a nice picture.
Getting the correct lighting is essential for taking a nice picture. Take several shots with different lighting so you can choose the one that best shows off that particular room. Try a few with all the lights one; then a few with just one or two and then a few with just natural light coming in the window. Experiment with the flash on and off.
Photographing the exterior of the house has its own requirements. Before you start framing pictures, tidy up. Remove garbage cans. Take down seasonal decorations. Put toys and tools away. You want your house looking its best.
One of the biggest challenges to outdoor photography is lighting. Unlike indoor shooting it is impossible to control outdoor lighting. When photographing the outside of your house it is important to get the light behind you. If the light is coming from behind the house or from the side it will create a harsh glare. If it isn’t feasible to get the sun behind you or if your house is heavily shaded, take pictures on an overcast day. That will mute the lighting effects.
If there are any exceptional features to the exterior of your house be sure to photograph them. Is there a pool? A gazebo? A breath-taking view? Get a few shots of it.
Finally, here are a few general tips. Take your time. Take all day if you can or take a few pictures at different times of the day over several days. Experiment with different angles and elevations. Better to have a lot of pictures you do not need than to have just a few shots which really don’t do your house justice. Do not photo edit your pictures. Unless you are an expert, photo editing shows. It will make the buyer suspicious of the rest of your pictures. Take the best pictures you can and let the beauty of your home sell itself.
Taking the time to get the perfect pictures of your home will pay off in time and money. Besides it’s a lot of fun. So let loose your inner shutter bug and get to work.
10 Biggest Home Buying Mistakes
1. Not doing your homework. Knowledge is power. Tremendous information is available on the Internet. There is no excuse for entering the market unprepared.
2. Trying to make a shrewd investment. People need to buy based on what fits their family. Don’t try to guess what will happen to the market.
3. Choosing a poor location. Even within a neighborhood, location matters. Is it on the busiest street? Is there a shopping center out the back window?
4. Overlooking an inferior floor plan for an attractive exterior. It may have gorgeous curb appeal, but you don’t live on the lawn. No matter how attractive the exterior, you need a livable home.
5. Overlooking how the house will function for your family. How do you really live? Do you really need a formal dining room and living room? Would you be happier with an eat-in kitchen and a great room and a den to use as a home office? The house only needs to fit one family: yours.
6. Not having a professional home inspection by the most thorough, nitpicky inspector you can find. This is not the time for surprises. Get an inspection from a qualified, respected professional. If your Realtor has a referral, see #1 above.
7. Not checking out the builder’s reputation on a new home. Talk to three or four people who live in the builder’s homes and see what they have to say. If one builder did all the houses in a neighborhood, talk to the residents and get their input. It’s also a great way to see what your neighbors would be like.
8. Not getting what you want because you’re impatient. This is a big decision. You need time. Impatient decisions can lead to mistakes.
9. Waiting for a better market and interest rates. The rear view mirror is always clearer than the windshield.
10. Not buying at all. If you can afford a home and you don’t make that purchase, you’ll lose the benefit of tax deductions, building home equity and the appreciation in value.
“Candy and Dave with Team Goddard were instrumental in helping me sell a niche rental property in July 2023, for cash, in a record time and a most hassle free process!! Their accumulated experience, knowledge, problem solving skills and business insight taps into all aspects of real estate. They are resourceful, responsive, respectful of your investment and bottom line and will close any deal out there regardless of which side of the ticket they’re on. Hands down, the best possible team you can hire for your real estate needs in the Chicagoland area. Thank you guys for yet another great experience using you!”
“Ok I will start off saying I know a lot of realtors and by far Candy & Dave are the best I’ve ever seen. They care about there clients. They constantly communicate through texts, emails, voicemails, and phone calls. Candy is definitely a GO getter and she is on top of her game. She will provide the most honest information and she will fight to get you top dollar for your house however she will provide honest information on comparables and will explain to you how to get the best value out of your house. Dave & Candy will lead you for success and tell you things like if you tighten this cabinet or paint this wall or anything that is not sticker shocking. These people are very knowledgeable. I felt I should write this long information because I had such a wonderful experience and please don’t be like oh yea this review is because this person knows Candy & Dave. I want to put it out there I do not know them or have any history with them I litteraly met them a couple months ago and they sold my house in 24 hours of listing…. So I do know they now will become my friend and connection for future purchases!!! Great job guys and thank you for all your connections and hard work!! Keep doing what your doing!! The real world out there is in it to make a buck. You guys are in it for a buck as well but the difference with you guys you actually care about your clients!! ❤️”
This two story home has 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a 3 car garage, a massive 4 season room, and a huge back patio. 3,896 square feet of finished living area is spacious. Only $509,896! Contact Dave or Candy for a showing today 630.310.8315 or email [email protected]
Welcome to 210 Remington Dr in Bartlett, IL! This charming house, located in the sought-after Westridge subdivision, offers a warm and comfortable living experience. With 4 bedrooms plus an additional bedroom in the basement, 3.5 bathrooms, and a 3-car garage, this home has plenty of space to accommodate your needs.
As you approach the property, you’ll immediately notice the 3-car heated garage and the HUGE 50’x12′ concrete side drive, perfect for storing your summer “water” toys or a large RV. Inside, the open concept layout, soaring front entry, and dual staircase create an inviting atmosphere that is ideal for entertaining.
The oversized eat-in kitchen showcases newer stainless steel appliances and a movable center island, allowing for seamless connectivity to the sun-drenched expanded family room. Relax by the cozy gas start fireplace in the family room and enjoy quality time with loved ones. The first floor also features a vaulted ceiling formal living room, a dining room, a laundry room, and a remodeled powder room, providing both functionality and style.
Upstairs, the private master bedroom suite offers a double door entry, a 10′ vaulted ceiling, a huge walk-in closet, and a luxurious master bathroom. The master bathroom is equipped with a large soaker tub, a separate shower, and a double vanity sink. Three generous-sized bedrooms and a hall bathroom complete the upper level.
The fully finished basement is a fantastic bonus space, featuring a large rec room with recessed lighting, a fifth bedroom with double doors, a full bathroom, and ample storage space. This additional living area provides versatility and flexibility for your lifestyle needs.
Step outside and enjoy warm summer nights on the paver brick patio in the fully fenced-in backyard, offering privacy and a great space for outdoor activities.
Notable updates include a Lennox HVAC system in 2019, a new roof, siding, and gutters in 2014, all stainless steel appliances in 2017, and a GE washer/dryer in 2018. With these updates, you can move in with peace of mind and enjoy the benefits of a well-maintained home.
Conveniently located, this home provides easy access to Nature Ridge Elementary School, which is only a block away. You’ll also have quick access to Downtown Bartlett, the Metra station, Bartlett Aquatic Center, Rt 59, and I-390, making commuting and leisure activities a breeze.
Don’t miss the opportunity to make this move-in ready house your new home. Experience the comfort, space, and convenience of 210 Remington Dr. Contact us to schedule a showing today!
Only $469,896! 4 bedroom 2.5 bath recently renovated home in Bartlett. This home has 3,017 square feet of living space with a 2.5 car garage, a rec room and an office, and large backyard. Contact us @ 630.310.8315 or [email protected] to schedule a showing.
From the MLS: Enjoy this charming tree lined parcel in Williamsburg Commons. This spacious home has undergone recent updates, including beautiful hardwood flooring, recessed canlighting, and solid wood French doors between the formal living room and dining room. The gourmet kitchen has been expanded and updated with 42″ Cherry Cabinets, Volga bluegranite countertops, and stainless steel appliances, making it a chef’s dream. Upstairs, the hall bath has been recently updated with a jacuzzi tub, while the primary suite featuresan enormous walk-in closet and a completely updated spa-like bath with a stunning marble shower surround, seamless shower door and an updated vanity in 2020. The lower levelhas also been updated with beautiful stone tile, a marble fireplace surround, and wood-look tile flooring. The utility room has been converted to a office/salon, but it can easily beconverted back to a laundry room. In addition to all these features, the sub-basement offers an additional rec room and utility area with plenty of room for storage. Recent outsideimprovements include brand new vinyl siding, gutters, and an A/C unit added in 2020, making this home an excellent value. Overall, this house is a beautiful blend of modernupdates and classic charm, making it an ideal place to call home. Located only blocks away from parks, bike paths, Bartlett Downtown & Metra Train Station, local shopping,restaurants and Bartlett Hills Golf Course.
This two story home has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a 2 car garage, a massive 4 season room, and a huge back patio. 2,340 square feet of finished living area is spacious. Only $399,896! Contact Dave or Candy for a showing today 630.310.8315 or email [email protected]
From the MLS: Experience your own private oasis in this beautiful home located along the border of Wayne Grove Nature Preserve. Inside, you’ll find a beautifully updated kitchen featuring custom Birch cabinets, gleaming Quartz countertops, a spacious breakfast bar, glass tile backsplash, inviting recessed lighting, and stainless steel appliances. Hardwood floors throughout the main level add charm and warmth to the formal living room and dining room, while the family room boasts a cozy custom stone fireplace and built-ins for the perfect ambiance. Enjoy breathtaking year-round forest preserve views from the inviting 4 season room or the expansive 26’x24′ concrete and paver brick patio with a cozy fire pit. The luxurious master suite offers a spacious walk-in closet and an updated master bath with newer lighting, double vanity sinks, marble-look tile, separate tub, and shower with adorable solid surface surround. The partially finished basement provides a versatile space for entertaining, home office, or gym. Located only blocks away from parks, bike paths, Bartlett Downtown Metra Train Station, and local shopping and restaurants. You’ll also have easy access to Elgin O’hare I390, just 3 miles away, and I90, just 6 miles away. Don’t miss your chance to make this beautiful home yours, schedule your showing today!
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