PHASE tHREE: Selecting materials & fixtures

I was going to write about the five main contingencies within a sales contract/purchase offer, but who wants to think THAT hard when they are on a staycation? Many locals stay in Central Oregon during the summer. Mixing work and pleasure is how we roll, so let’s take a more relaxed approach to a few very important real estate tips.

June is historically the highest selling month for real estate — yippee! My friends at Trulia quote 29% above the annual average. That means moving and shaking and making quick decisions whilst you’re basking in the sun at the high lakes, paddle boarding or simply running your first Ultramarathon. OK OK, “simply” running an ultra? Looking forward to that day …

Because June is a good month for sales, I beg of sellers to please take it easy on your expectations. Listing too high and sitting back could disrupt your plans to be moved by the end of summer. You need to be prepared to compete with the other sellers that will come out of the woodwork. Stage your home (for some of you this means to simply clean and vacuum). Hey, let’s be real — we live in our homes and most of us would rather play right now. Staging is not expensive. Sometimes using what you have and/or taking away items that can be a distraction (buffalo heads anyone?) equates to staging a home.

Also, overpricing is a ball that should be dodged. Panic will set in when your listing goes from days to weeks to months. Then fear takes a seat making you afraid to lower the price fearing the buyer “will just lowball.” In many cases a slight price reduction can procure multiple offers and a seller gets a sales price somewhere between the new price and the older price. Come up with a strategy with your agent when you list your home should your home not sell as quickly as all of you expected. Having expectations lined out early makes selling your home much less stressful.

Another tip is for sellers to leave the premises during showings. Your extensive wall-papered great-room or custom built-in cutting surface are great to you; however, a buyer could be standing there thinking “how fast can I get this out of here after we move in?” Couple that with the buyer feeling quite uncomfortable walking through a complete strangers’ home with you stalking them – makes for a distracted showing. If you must be there to open the house, please take a walk around the block or help your neighbors with their unruly landscaping if you think they should get a handle on it. Haven’t met your neighbors yet? Go introduce yourself!

Oh boy, I could have fun with that last scenario.

“Hi, my name is Bill. I’m selling my house and moving away. Really nice to meet you. Haven’t you lived here for about three years now? We love the area but your dog has proven to be too much for us. We promise not to say anything to the new buyers as that is not a material fact. Have a wonderful day… .”

Lastly — well, there are many other points to share yet space is tight — do your best to help your agent meet and satisfy contingencies that affect your sale. There are five standard contingencies in all offers and each contingency has its own deadline requirements. Certain contingencies, if not met, can result in a buyer unilaterally canceling the transaction. Tough to take when you are camping with your friends or family planning your next move. Stay on top of it and feel 100-percent comfortable asking your agent if there is anything you can do to help.

See you on the trails, lakes and even better yet, the concerts!