S & J Journal

Interview at least two or three real estate agents to get an idea of fair market value. Also ask them how many homes they have sold in the immediate area in the last year. The trouble is that if you go with the first agent you find, you might end up leaving money on the table if the market value estimate given is not a fair market value or the agent is somewhat inexperienced and has not had much training in marketing and selling. Just the other day, I was chatting with a   friend and she told me her elderly neighbor, “Sally”,  was approached by a real estate agent that was going door to door asking homeowners if they were interested in selling their homes. Some agents are doing that because Coral Gables' inventory is so low and they have nothing to sell or advertise. This “roving” agent  gave “Sally” a quick and easy estimate of a listing price. The lady does not read the papers often and had no idea how quickly the marke...

1. Create a list of items needing attention. Start at the curb in front of your house with a notepad and pen and walk through the house. Jot down anything that "leaps" out at you. 2. Have a friend perform a walk-through of your home. Add their ideas to your list. 3. Repaint the front door and trim. 4. Open the front door and make sure it doesn’t squeak, groan, or drag. 5. Wash the mailbox and paint it if necessary. 6. Get an attractive mat for the front door for people to wipe their feet. Replace worn, badly stained, or personalized ones. 7. Clean out the flowerbeds. Make a distinct border between the beds and lawn. 8. Invest in a few flats of flowers that will last the entire growing season and will add color and beauty to the front of your home. 9. Prune bushes and trees. Remove any dead shrubs or low laying tree limbs. 10. Buy a flowering plant and place it in a window that is passed by frequently. 11. Remove any personal or family photos hanging on t...