What’s Smart Move?
Smart Move is a system for motivated sellers who really want to sell their home – and sell it quickly! In today’s market in order to close quickly it’s important to make the transaction as smooth as possible. The best way to do this is to take a proactive approach which is where the Smart Move system comes in.
What does the Smart Move system involve?
The Smart Move system helps prepare your home for offers and involves you, the seller, performing the series of inspections that buyers often have done after a contract has been ratified. Many of these inspections, like termite inspections, the seller typically pays for so it’s far from unusual. Also, payment for many of these inspections can often be done during closing which means you won’t have to pay until your house sells.
What is included in the Smart Move system?
Home Inspections
Buyers hire home inspectors to check your home during the transaction. Home inspectors check several aspects of the home including your heating/ventilation/air conditioning system, structure, and evidence of mold. If a buyer conducts this inspection they may withdraw their contract if a serious issue arises unless you address them. Knowing what’s wrong with your home prior to an offer gives you a chance to make repairs to pass the buyer’s home inspection allowing you to go to closing that much sooner. Also, if you don’t want to make the repair you can make the adjustment in the price before you list potentially avoiding lengthy negotiations.
Termite Inspections
Similar to home inspections, termite inspections are very common in transactions. Getting checked for pests and treating them now will allow you to go to closing even sooner.
Radon Tests
If your home has a basement, many buyers will get a radon test. Radon is a naturally occurring gas which, in high concentrations, can lead to health problems. If your house has high levels of radon you will have to have a pump installed in your basement – a timely affair. Have this taken care of before you have an offer and you’ll go to closing sooner.
Appraisal
Real estate agents use comparables to help price your home but an appraisal is a much more rigorous and thorough process. Buyers who are using financing will have an appraisal done – and if their appraisal comes in lower than the contract price you may have to drop the price. By having an appraisal performed you can make sure your home is listed at the right price.
Home staging, cleaning, and repair and upgrade bids
Three of the biggest complaints buyers have when looking at homes are “The home is small (no storage),” “Too many repairs,” and “The home is outdated.” These complaints directly affect buyer interest and buyers’ offers. Home staging and professional cleaning help get your home in prime showing condition. Have contractors come up with bids for minor repairs that you know exist and several popular upgrades. Buyers will see these bids and know how much it costs instead of guessing.
Title
McGlothlin Properties will have your title checked. This is a quick and easy step but can help avoid headaches come closing. When we have your title checked we’re mostly looking for claims against your house or any unpaid liens, also called clouds on your title. Having a clear title on the day of closing will allow you to close – having clouds will push closing back until they are resolved.
After I complete the inspections, what comes next?
After all the inspections are completed McGlothlin Properties takes the paperwork and compiles a Smart Move Certified booklet which is available for buyers during showings. We will leave this booklet in plain sight so buyers can quickly see that you’ve done all the inspections they would’ve done and see any repairs have been completed or any issues with the house you are compensating for in the price already. The booklet will also include local information including shopping, commuter routes, restaurants, school information, brief home owner’s association information (we order the resale package after we have a ratified contract), and utilities.
We also market your property as Smart Move certified using a sign rider for your for sale sign and include this information in the listing online.
Having all this information on hand makes your home look that much more attractive, makes you look much more professional and prepared and, more importantly, serious about selling your home. Buyers will be able to breathe a sigh of relief that the guesswork has been taken out of the transaction.
Do buyers have inspections performed anyway?
Many buyers will use your inspections without hesitation but there are some who will insist on having their own inspections done. For those buyers, we have a waiver they sign stating that 1) they are aware these reports are available to them 2) they are choosing to voluntarily not use the reports and 3) they will pay for any inspections that you have already had performed.
Do I have to have my home Smart Move certified?
While we strongly recommend having your home Smart Move certified, you don’t have to complete all or any of the inspections. In other words, you can choose which inspections to have done ahead of time or you can choose to do none of them. Remember, having your home Smart Move certified is a great way to show buyers you’re motivated (but not desperate!) to sell. Plus, terms like “as-is” will hold truer when you know prior to listing what’s going on in your home.
