For Sellers :: Services :: Front Porch Realty Group

Upcoming Seminars

For Buyers

For Sellers

Short Sales vs. Foreclosures

For Sellers

What you should expect from Front Porch Realty

A list of how many homes have sold in your area

The prices at which these properties have sold

An analysis of the entire market

Any suggetions for improvements that he/she thinks you should make to help you sell yoru home

Compete marketing action plan - step by step of what he/she will do to sell your home

What we will expect from you

Your home prepared for sale

Any paperwork that pertains to improvement readily available

Necessary information regarding current loans, liens, and other pertinent information which might effect the sale of the home

Be mentally prepared and ready to objectively look at the facts that we will provide with regards to price and sale information

Give us what you see as the most important features of the property

Preparing your home.

Preparing your house to sell can make a big difference in how your house is perceived by a potential buyer. First impressions are lasting and having your house in good condition could help sell the property faster.

Showing the Interior

Clean the kitchen and bathrooms thoroughly

Remove any excess clutter or large furniture (this includes the garage)

Fix cracked windows, stained ceilings, wall marks

Keep counter tops cleared

Clean or replace carpeting

Clean every room of the house, display attic and closets

Repair any holes in walls, wallpaper or paint

Open draperies (clean them if needed) and curtains for natural light

Repair sticking doors, windows, drawers, dripping faucets, replace lightbulbs, etc.

Showing the Exterior

Keep hedges trimmed

Make sure your lawn and landscape is nicely manicured and weeded

Check the foundation steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks

Inspect for peeling paint and fix

Clean gutters

Paint the front door

Make sure the fence is in good condition

Make sure that your doorbell works

Touch up or repaint, preferably in neutral colors

Escrow

When opening an escrow, the buyer and seller establish terms and conditions for the transfer of ownership of that property. These terms and conditions are given to a neutral third party known as the escrow holder. The Escrow Officer, in turn has the responsibility of seeing that the terms of the escrow are carried out. The escrow is an independent third party - the vehicle by which the interest of all parties to the transaction is protected.

How does the Escrow Process Work?

The Escrow officer takes instructions based on the terms of your Purchase Agreement and the lender's requirements. The Escrow Officer can hold inspection reports and bills for work performed as required by the Purchase Agreement. Other elements of the escrow include hazard and title insurance, and the grant deed from the seller to you. Escrow cannot be completed until these items have been satisfied and all parties have signed escrow documents.

What Does the Escrow Holder Do?

The Escrow holder is a neutral third party that maintains the escrow and impartially oversees the escrow process, ensuring that all conditions of the sale are properly met.

The Escrow holder's duties include:

	Serve as the neutral agent and the liaison between all parties involved.
	Prepare the escrow instructions.
	Request a Preliminary Title Search to determine the status of title to the property.
	Comply with the lender's requirements as specified in its instructions to escrow.
	Receive and handle purchase funds from the buyer.
	Prepare or secure the deed and documents related to the escrow.
	Prorate taxes, interest, insurance and rents.
	Secure releases of all contingencies or other conditions imposed on the escrow.
	Record the deed and any other documents.
	Request the title insurance policy.
	Close the escrow pursuant to instructions supplied by the seller, buyer and lender, if any.
	Disburse funds as authorized by the instructions, including charges for title insurance, recording fees, real estate commissions and loan payoffs.
	Prepare final statements for all parties involved that account for the disposition of all funds held in the escrow account.

Title Company

Examines the title to the real property and issues a preliminary report.

Determines the requirements and documents needed to complete the transaction and advises the escrow officer and/or agents.

Reviews and approves the signed documents, releases and the order for title insurance, prior to the closing date.

When authorized by the escrow officer, the Title Company records the signed documents with the Country Recorder's office and prepares to issue the title insurance policies.