Information on Buying a Home

Home Buying and Selling Tips

10 Ways Seller Can Speed Up Their Home Inspection

Sellers can speed their home inspection by following these suggestions. The inspection will go smoother, with fewer concerns to delay closing.

Confirm that water, electric and gas service are on, with gas pilot lights burning.
Ensure pets won’t hinder the inspection. Ideally, they should be removed from premises or secured outside. Tell your agent about any pets at home.
Replace burned out bulbs to avoid a “Light is inoperable” report that may suggest an electrical problem.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries.
Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely.
Remove stored items, debris and wood from foundation. These may be cited as “conducive conditions” for termites.
Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electric service panels, water heaters, attics and crawl spaces.
Unlock areas the inspector must access-attic doors or hatches, electric service panels, closets, fence gates and crawl spaces.
Trim tree limbs to 10’ form the roof and shrubs from the house to allow access.
Attend to broken or missing item like doorknobs, lock and latches; windowpanes, screens and locks; gutters, downspouts and chimney caps.

Checking these areas before your home inspection is an investment in selling your property.

Some Links of Interest

How a Seller Can Help Their Realtor

Leave the selling to us; we are paid Professionals just like your Accountant, Lawyer or Doctor. Would you interfere with your Doctor during a procedure?
Let the Agent hang their for sale sign. You have lots of potential Buyers driving by your home daily
Your Agent will enter your home data into MLS. Review and make suggestions if needed
Make sure all Realtors from your agency tour your home. It’s hard to sell a home if they haven’t seen it
Frown upon your agent using “lock boxes”
Make your home available to all Buyers with a reasonable notice
Try not to be present when your Realtor is showing the home
Listen to your Realtor with feedback from the showing
When your Realtor presents an offer to you don’t be insulted. Most Buyers will listen to a reasonable counter offer
Leave the home during a home inspection
If a Buyer knocks on your door don’t let them in, tell them to call your Realtor for an appointment
Have your barking dog removed from the property prior to a showing
Don’t try to negotiate the contract by offering a used piece of furniture
At closing the property should be in the same condition it was when the Buyers first previewed the home

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Showing Your Home

The following is a quick checklist to prepare your home for a showing when it is on the market:

Short notice sometimes can occur try to prepare for it
Pick up all clutter-The less the better
Open the drapes & blinds-Allow as much natural light as possible
Turn on all lights
Put all animals outside or take with you if possible. Keep litter boxes clean
Home should be cool in summer/warm in winter
Play light music if possible- set the mood
Place fresh bouquets of flowers around
Stay out of the way (leave the property)
Do not speak to potential purchasers
If you do see prospective buyers, be courteous and brief with discussion
Buyers sense of smell is important when previewing a home. A home with a negative aroma will stop a sale
The cellar is part of your home. Make sure it is uncluttered and clean
Did you think your home has curb appeal? How are the flowers, shrubs and lawn looking?
How about the bedrooms, think it is time to air them out?
Are your kitchen counters and cabinets neat and orderly?
Is there mildew in your bathroom?
Can you open the closets without everything falling out?
If you smoke in your home a lot of buyers will refuse to look at it
Buyers are not interested in your family pictures. Make sure most are removed
Neutral colors are called for when selling your home
That old comfortable TV couch with the big holes in it should leave

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Let The Hamptons be Your Real Estate Guide

Buying and selling real estate can be a very complicated process. Some buyers think they will start by "going it alone" to Open Houses or following an ad- Home For Sale By Owner, or someone knows someone who wants to sell their home.

Some sellers want to try Sale By Owner without paying a Realtor commission and handling everything, paperwork et al, themselves.

Across the board, these situations MOST often produce stress, confusion, and little productivity.

The National Association of Realtors members are generally involved and active in community affairs and organizations. This gives them a better understanding of the areas they serve.

A common rule in real estate is "All properties are unique." Homes are different and so are the laws, contract terms, financing options, inspection requirements-and closing costs. Also, every real estate transaction is different.

In these situations it only makes sense to work with professionals who know the community and serve the area where you have an interest.

This brings us to the doorstep of The Hamptons Real Estate Company.

Twenty five years serving our communities and being directly involved in community affairs and development.

Note the links on our site to give you an indication of numbers of professionals in our communities who vouch for our reputation and service.

We will provide you with current market conditions, financing options, and assist in your negotiating issues that might apply to a given situation. We want to keep you updated and alert to each step in your real estate transaction.

"We are qualified, but more importantly, we want to be your Realtor."