Info for Sellers
Free Market Overview
Call Vancouver WA Realtors today for your FREE evaluation (360) 772-0036 or click on the link below.
Travis Maley
Cascade Home Sales, Inc.
16508 SE 24 St. Suite 102
Vancouver WA 98683
Phone: (360) 772-0036
Email: travis.maley@gmail.com
Fax: (360) 213-0772
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Preparing your Home for a Sale
The effort put into repairing and cleaning your property is likely to be returned in a fast sale at an attractive price.
- As buyers approach your property for the first time, impressions are formed quickly.
- House painting – this can do more for sales appeal than any other factor.
- Yard – Remove all toys, garbage, garden tools and other items from view.
- Mow the lawn and keep edged.
- Close garage doors.
- Put colorful flowers in front of the house.
Often, while waiting to be let in, the first thing a buyer looks at closely is the front door.
- Put new paint on the front door.
- Buy a new door mat.
- Buyers look closely in the basement of a house. They will look for bad wiring, leaky pipes and signs of decay.
- Clean the basement and dispose of everything that is not going to move.
- Make sure there is plenty of light.
- Sweep or vacuum floor.
- Stack items carefully against the walls.
The kitchen is often the most important room in the house. Make it bright and attractive.
- Put a vase of fresh flowers on the table.
- Replace curtains or clean existing ones.
- Remove appliances from counters.
- Create a pleasant fragrance in the kitchen (ie. vanilla, cinnamon).
The living room
- Clean the fireplace and place logs in it.
- Polish all woodwork.
- Place furniture in storage so rooms are not cluttered or crowded.
It is important that bathrooms are clean, bright and smell fresh.
- Install a new shower curtain and replace carpets.
- Polish all fixtures.
- Open the windows.
- Hang bright, fresh towels.
- Remove stains from toilets and bathtubs.
- Use air freshener
- Display colorful soaps.
Cleaning and Repair Checklist
Front Door:
- Newly painted
- Doorbell operating
- Door brass polished
- Hinges oiled
Exterior of House:
- House recently painted
- Gutters recently cleaned
- Exterior lights operating
- Missing shingles replaced
- Moss removed from roof
Windows:
- Window trims painted
- Windows operating freely
- Cracked windowpanes replaced
- Windows washed
Driveway:
- Resurfaced
- Potholes patched
- Recently sealed
Patios:
- Wood stained or painted
- Fencing secure
Lawn:
- Lawn in good condition
- Grass mowed
- Edges trimmed
Trees/Shrubs:
- Dead branches pruned
- Dead shrubs replaced
- Overgrown shrubs pruned
Entry:
- Entry lights operating
- Floors cleaned
- Closet cleaned
- Closet light operating
Living Room:
- Recently painted
- Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
- Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
- Wallpaper secured
- Woodwork repainted
- Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
- Drapes/blinds opened
- Carpets cleaned
- Furniture positioned to show space
Kitchen:
- Sink free of stains
- No dripping faucets
- Appliances in good working order
- Walls, cabinets free of stains
- Counter tops cleared and cleaned
- Pantry neatly arranged
- Pantry hardware replaced
- Refrigerator defrosted
Family Room:
- Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
- Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
- Wallpaper secured
- Woodwork repainted
- Windows washed
- Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
- Windows operating freely
- Drapes/blinds opened
- Carpets cleaned
- Hobby supplies put away
Bedrooms:
- Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
- Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
- Wallpaper secured
- Woodwork repaired
- Windows washed
- Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
- Floor waxed/refinished
- Carpets cleaned
- Beds made
- Laundry put away
- Floor free from clutter
Basement:
- Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
- No evidence of water penetration
- Dampness removed
- Cold water pipes covered
- Dehumidifier installed
- Sump pump installed
- No musty odors
- Drains cleared
- Furnace cleaned
- Storage neatly arranged
- Excess storage removed
- Floor swept
- Light fixtures operating
- Handrail secure
- Stairway runner secure
Dining Room:
- Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
- Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
- Wallpaper secured
- Woodwork repaired
- Windows washed
- Drapes/blinds open to view
- Floor waxed/refinished
- Carpets cleaned
Bathrooms:
- Sink stains removed
- Leaky faucets repaired
- Grouting stains removed
- All joints caulked
- Missing tiles replaced
- All fixtures operating
- Floors cleaned
- New shower curtain
- All supplies stored
- Guest towels
The following is a list of some possible work orders as demonstrated by past Vancouver WA homes for sale. The work orders must be completed prior to closing and the seller is responsible for having them done. Check with your local authorities for specific requirements.
The following conditions may require a work order:
- Broken windows.
- Debris in crawl space.
- Dry rot or deteriorated wood.
- Earth-wood contact.
- Overgrown shrubbery.
- Electrical not in working condition.
- Gutters and downspouts blocked or missing.
- A hot water tank without a 3/4″ discharge line.
- Inadequate foundation ventilation.
- Inadequate attic ventilation.
- Less than four feet of waterproof material around tub enclosures (tile, formica, etc.).
- Less than 18″ clearance between soil and floor joists under entire house.
- Peeling or missing paint.
- Plumbing not in working condition.
- Single oil or gas space heaters to heat entire house.
- Water damage inside home.
You might have to:
- Paint the exterior and interior if in bad condition.
- Hook up to public water or sewer if available.
- Get county certification if home is on septic or well.
- Remove unused oil tanks or fill with cement-slurry or polyurethane foam.
Other items to remember:
- Inspectors will need access to the attic.
- Leased equipment cannot be included in the sale (i.e. hot water tank, alarm system, etc.).
- All assessments must be paid.
- Joint maintenance agreements will be required for common road easements for maintenance on home where property line is within 3′ of structure.
- Check with local authorities for specific requirements.
Before your house is shown:
- Items or remove labels are not included in the sale (ie water conditioner, lamps, plants, drapes).
- Open drapes and curtains to let in light.
- Turn on the lights so house is well lit throughout.
- At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting.
- Fix all rooms.
- Clean dirty dishes in the sink and save any dish on the counter.
- Keep toys in the bedrooms of children.
- Store away items in the yard such as bicycles, gardening tools and skateboards.
- If fall or winter, light a fire in the fireplace.
While your house is being shown:
- When possible, leave while the property is shown. Otherwise, stay in an area not being shown by the sales associate.
- Let the Real Estate Show-house experts. Answer questions candidly when asked, but avoid questioning potential buyers.
- See the research about seeing your house to your Realtor to take advantage of the professional capabilities of the agent in the sale of your home.
- Do not mention items you wish to dispose of unless asked.
- It is better to be away when your agent is conducting an open house.
- Keep pets outdoors or in an area.
- Keep children quiet and in an area.
- Keep radio, stereo or TV on low volume.
- Keep money and other valuables out of sight.
Dear Home Owner,
Wondering if a short sale is right for you? Here are a few thoughts to assist you in your consideration of a short sale. For owners who can no longer afford to keep mortgage payments current, there are alternatives to bankruptcy or foreclosure proceedings. One of those options is called a “shortsale.” More than half of my Vancouver WA realestate sales over the past few years have been short sales. That’s how prominent short sales have become. When lenders agree to do a short sale in real estate, it means the lender is accepting less than the total amount due.
From what I’ve seen, there is less damage to a credit report after a short sale involving late pays than a foreclosure. Moreover, another advantage for those with delinquencies on their credit is the ability to buy another home within 2 years over the 5- to 7-year period required for foreclosures.
If everything goes well, the lender will approve your short sale. As part of the negotiation, we might ask that the lender not report adverse credit to the credit reporting agencies, but realize that the lender is under no obligation to accommodate this request. Credit report status is not always negotiable. Furthermore, as real estate agents we are not tax nor legal advisers. If you have questions about short sale consequences then consult your tax or legal specialist. However, I am glad to share with you opinions based upon my many successful short sale transactions.
Once you have decided if a short sale is right for you, your property has sold, and the short sale is completed based upon the banks decision then I recommend all my short sale clients to begin a process of credit restoration. I’m glad to assist you with more information about credit restoration if your interested.
Call 360-772-0036 or email for free no obligation consult today!
Sincerely,
Travis Maley
What is title insurance?
Title insurance protects the person named against loss due to defects, liens, encumbrances, adverse claims or other matters not shown or disclosed to the new owner that attach before date of policy.
What is an inspection report wood destroying organism?
An inspection report wood destroying organism is a written opinion by a state inspector qualified and licensed structural pest control based on what was visible and evident at the time of the inspection. The inspection report in no way represent or guarantee the structure to be free from wood-destroying organisms or their damage, nor does it represent or guarantee that the total damage or infestation is limited to learn in the report. Wood-destroying organisms include subterranean termites, damp wood termites, carpenter ants, wood boring beetles and wood decay fungi.
What are the dangers of lead-based paint?
All buyers and sellers are required by law to receive and read a pamphlet outlining the hazards of lead-based paint for homes built before 1978. Be sure to ask your real estate agent for a copy.
What are closing costs?
Closing costs are an accumulation of loads of attention to the various entities associated with the buying and selling real estate. For sellers, typically 9.5 to 10% of the total sales price of a property. Some of the closing costs that can be found are: discount points, escrow fee, fee documentation, homeowner association fees, pest and rot inspection, real estate commission and title insurance premium.
What is the difference between “pre-qualified” and “pre-approved”?
If a buyer is “pre-qualified” to be determined, with a loan officer, what price the buyer can afford based on down payment, debts and the amount the mortgage company will approve for the mortgage. Being “pre-qualified” is only a determination of probable credit. If “pre-approved” credit, employment and funds have been approved by the lender.
What should you include a home inspection?
Each inspection should include but not limited to, an evaluation of the following:
1. Foundations
2. Roof
3. Heating and air conditioning
4. Ventilation
5. Common areas (for condominiums)
6. Septic tanks, wells or sewer lines *
7. Isolation
8. Plumbing and electrical systems
9. Ceiling, walls and floors
10. Doors
11. concerning hazardous materials *
* There may be an additional charge for this.
What property details are usually included by Listing Services?
In general, the properties of the list includes the following:
* Location
* Photography
* Price
* Utilities
* Services
* Annual property tax
* Current funding (when assumable)
* Company Overview
What pages are generally included in the Purchase and Sales Agreement?
* Agency Disclosure
* Addition of financing and provision
* Receipt of deposit
* Inspection / Clause
* Conditions / Disclosures Addendum
* Contingency
* Addition Scheme Conditions
* Notification of lead-based paint
* Disclosure Form Property (completed by Sellers)
What is the difference between a REALTOR ® and real estate agent?
REALTOR ® identifies real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS ® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate agent is a REALTOR ®. A REALTOR ® may be an appraiser, property manager or involved in some other aspect of real estate business.
