To sell or not to sell?
A good realtor knows that making the decision of whether or not to sell your home isn’t easy. After all, a home is more than your address—it’s a symbol of your identity, a connection to your neighborhood, and the hub of all your errands. A good realtor realizes this and helps you decide if and when you should move. That’s the kind of service I found in Joyce Courtney. One of the hardest things about divorce is dealing with the people who stand to profit from it. There are some pretty shady lawyers, financial counselors, and realtors out there. You deserve someone who is in your corner. I knew I’d found that in Joyce when at our first meeting she asked, “Are you sure you really want to move?” “Are you ready [emotionally] for that?” Impressed by her honesty, I asked for her help to create this web page. Here’s what she advised:
Before Putting Your Home on the Market, answer these questions:1. Can I afford to stay?Look at it from all angles: short-term and long-term. Consider how much moving will cost you. Look at the tax write off you get from interest on your mortgage as well as the real estate taxes you currently pay on your home. How will they be affected? What extra costs will you incur monthly if you move? Water? Garbage collection? Association fees?
2. If I have to sell, when would be the best time?Since traditionally the worst month to sell (but best to buy) is September, unless you’re moving up, you’ll probably want to avoid that month. Not only do you want to get the best price on your own home, you also need to find out about the best time to buy in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Your budget or an ideal location can limit what’s available. To get into prized areas, ask a good realtor to be on the lookout for you to help with the timing of your move3. Where do I start?It’s important to get a Comparative Market Analysis of your home to know exactly what kind of value you can expect from it. Get as many estimates as you need to feel sure of the number. Some realtors provide so much back up information on recent sales in your area, their history in your neighborhood, etc., that you may be comfortable with their estimate alone. I needed to have two or three realtors walk through my house independently to feel confident about what it would sell for.If you do decide to put your home on the market, avoid these costly mistakesThe Wrong PriceSure some realtors may promise you they can get more for your home, but I’ve seen homes sit for 2 years holding out for top dollar. The right price sells a home faster than any other factorAs Is ConditionWho wants to strip that old wallpaper, or fix a broken fence? No one, but Joyce assured me that the cost of not fixing up a home will show up in your sales contract. It will probably end up costing you more to leave it as is.
Always Being UnderfootFace it, as lovely as your home is to you, other people want the freedom to browse, express their opinions, and ask their questions. So give them the space they need. Your realtor will thank you by pointing your visitors to your home’s best features.Having to Sell . . .at any costOnce a potential buyer knows your back is against the wall because you’ve already bought elsewhere and maybe even moved out, you’ve lost significant leverage. A good realtor can advise you on how to handle this and be discrete with your information.
A good realtor earns their money. They understand the market’s timing. They know how to bid and negotiate the best deals. And they can help you avoid costly mistakes or surprises at your closing.
The best ones, like Joyce, For more information on
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