All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

But if you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are a dozen
more reasons to use one:

1. Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power
   Your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a
   REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings,
   income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best
   qualified to help you. Most lenders, banks and mortgage companies,
   offer limited choices.
   
   
2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home
   search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not
   actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation
   by your agent to find all available properties.
   
   
3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are
   REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities,
   zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First,
   will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
   
   
4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of
   possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you
   to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
   
   
5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank
   and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in
   finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.
   
   
6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.
   
   
7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.
   
   
8. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
   
   
9. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents
   and the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the
   public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales
   are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to
   utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
   
   
10. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise
    your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82%
    of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
    
    
11. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you write
    a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
    
    
12. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the
    initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise.
    For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud
    in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).
    

Curb Appeal
You do not get a second chance to make a first impression. This is especially true when selling a house. Buyers typically make up their minds within 10 seconds of entering the front door, then spend the rest of their visit reaffirming their decision.
An attractive yard is the first step to drawing buyers to a property.

• Keep the lawn cut and trees/shrubbery trimmed.
• Weed flower beds and remove any dead plants/shrubs.
• Add colorful potted flowers or plants to the front porch and/or deck.
• Be sure plants to do not block windows.
• Keep driveways, walkways and porches free of leaves and debris.
• Add a fresh coat of paint, stain or varnish to the front door and door frame.
• Clean gutters so they are free of debris.
• Caulk around windows, if needed.
• Minimize the amount of furniture on your patio, deck and other outdoor areas.
• Put away lawn mowers, rakes, shovels, and other landscaping tools.
• Buy a new doormat and hang a colorful wreath to welcome buyers.

Get Packing
When selling your house, less is definitely more! De-personalizing and
de-cluttering your home will enable potential buyers to visually move in;
it will also make your house appear more spacious.

• Get rid of unwanted items before you move! Give them away, donate them,
  or have a yard sale.
• Clear surfaces of all but the bare essentials; minimize accessories, and reduce the number of books on shelves.
• Remove personal photographs to depersonalize and keep buyers focused on
  the house.
• Clean out closets/pantries, making sure the floors are clear so the storage
  space appears roomier.
• Pack out-of-season clothes and holiday items.
• Put away collections and other valuables to avoid breakage; store prescription medications out of sight to avoid theft.
• Store political and religious mementos so your home appeals to as many
  buyers as possible.
• Items containing personal information should be kept in a safe place out of
  sight (ex: mail, bills, etc.) to avoid identify theft.
• Remove area rugs and oversized furniture so rooms appear larger.

Sparkle & Shine
To make your home stand out from others on the market, be sure it sparkles!
Clean the house from top to bottom, including corners where cobwebs hide.
Be sure windows and mirrors shine. Pay special attention to vent covers, switch plates, light fixtures, and baseboards.

• Make sure your kitchen is spotless. Give all appliances a thorough cleaning, inside and out. Take magnets and other items off the refrigerator.
• Clean inside and around the fireplace. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, dispose of ashes and partially-burned pieces of wood.
• Clean windows inside and out so light is able to enter and illuminate your home.
  If you live in a wooded area, remove screens.
• Keep floors swept. Vacuum and steam clean carpets to give them a new look.
• Remove stains from the garage floor. Stack boxes vertically along garage
  walls to highlight its storage capacity.
• Make sure your bathrooms are spotless. Wipe off the counter and floor;
  clean the sink, toilet, shower/bathtub, and mirrors.

Parents of Small Children

• Wipe down walls, doors and door knobs.
• Keep plastic bins handy to store toys at a moment’s notice.
• Reduce the number of toys in main areas of the home and in the yard.
• Be sure all toilets are flushed and potty training seats are out of sight.

Pet Owners

• Store pet toys, beds, food and food dishes out of sight.
• Keep litter boxes scooped and out of sight. Be sure the yard is free of waste.
• Open windows to air out the house.
• Use neutralizing air fresheners.

Smokers

• Open windows to air out the house.
• If you smoked indoors prior to listing your house, steam clean carpets
  and drapes; wash bedding & linens.
• Then, smoke outside while the house is listed. If you currently smoke
  outdoors, be sure cigarette butts are properly disposed of.

If you are like most people, you probably view moving as an unpleasant, stressful and time-consuming experience which often results in broken dishes and sore muscles. With a little care and planning, you and your belongings will both arrive at your new home in mint condition. The checklist below will help you prepare for your move.

• Purchase/Gather Packing Supplies. If you are a do-it-yourself mover, you
  will need to gather packing materials including boxes, tape, scissors, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, newspapers and blankets. The produce department
  at your local grocery store is a good source for large, sturdy boxes for your
  non-fragile items. Your local beer store is also a good source for small boxes.
  The boxes that wine bottles come in are great for packing glasses and stemware since they come with cardboard dividers. Suitcases and gym bags are also good options for packing clothes, shoes and other items.
• Discard, Sell or Donate Unwanted Items. Go through each room of your
  house and sort through your belongings. Place all of the unused items into
  one of three piles - (1) Discard, (2) Sell, or (3) Donate. This will force you to
  do the cleaning you’ve probably been putting off and will result in fewer items
  to pack. Throw out the items in the “discard” pile. Hold a yard sale to get rid
  of the items you want to sell. Another option is to post unwanted items on www.craigslist.com to sell. After the yard sale is over or a designated time
  has passed when items do not sell online, gather the items that did not sell,
  add it to the pile of items to “donate” and give it all to charity. Most donations
  are tax-deductible.
• Begin Packing. Many people wait until the last minute to start packing.
  You can make packing easier by doing it a little at a time. Get a head start
  by boxing items that are not frequently used such as books, linen, and
  seasonal clothing. Pack one room at a time and try not to mix items from
  different rooms in one box. Pack heavy items such as books in small boxes.
  Pack clothes in wardrobe boxes to save ironing time later. Clearly label each
  box, including the Room it goes in and a brief description of the contents.
• Change Your Address. Contact the post office with your new address and
  the date it becomes effective. Address changes can be done online simply by going to the U.S. Postal Service website. Remember to contact your employer, creditors, banks, insurance carriers, newspapers, magazines, physicians, and schools with your address change. Do not forget to change your address with
  the Motor Vehicle Administration.
• Notify Family and Friends. Inform your family and friends of your new
  address (and phone number, if applicable).
• Clean Your Old Residence. Leave your old residence as you would like
  to find it. Vacuum the carpet, sweep & mop the floor, wipe off counters and
  stoves, clean sinks, tubs and toilets, and wipe out the refrigerator. Be sure
  to double-check cabinets, drawers, closets, storage rooms, the washer and
  dryer, and the refrigerator to make sure nothing is left behind before you leave
  the house for the last time.
• Prepare Moving Day Kits. Since the majority of your property will be in boxes,
  it is important to remember to set aside the items you will need on the day of
  the move. This should include a change of clothes, a towel, prescription drugs, toothbrush and toothpaste, toilet paper, and your toiletries. You should also set aside moving-related items such as tools, scissors/utility knife, tape, trash bags, paper towels, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and aspirin. Other items to have handy
  on moving day include paper plates, plastic utensils and cups, snacks and beverages.

Tax-Deductible Moving Expenses
If your move is job related, many of the expenses connected with
moving \ may be tax deductible*. Some of these include:

• The cost of moving your household goods.
• Expenses incurred while house-hunting.
• Travel expenses during the move for you and your family.
• The cost of moving your household goods.
• The cost of meals and temporary lodging for up to 30 days after
  you get the new job.
• The expenses, of selling your house and buying a new one.

To substantiate your claim, keep an accurate, detailed account of your
moving expenses, including all receipts.

* It is recommended that you consult with your own tax advisor or attorney
to determine what is currently allowable under IRS codes specific to your
individual circumstances.