Gailya Silhan, REALTOR®

The Option Period specified in the contract is a specified number of days set forth in a real estate contract which allows the buyer to terminate the contract for any reason. It provides security for the buyer. It is usually 7-10 days. During this time it’s customary, and advised, that Buyers get a home inspection. The inspection will go through every system, HVAC, plumbing, structure/foundation/roof, electrical, appliances, etc., to make sure it’s functional and safe. If they find any defects they will report them and I work with my Buyers to negotiate repairs. Note that Sellers are not obligated to do repairs by the contract, but most will or will give the Buyer a credit at closing.

First, every Realtor® will list it in MLS, which feeds into all the other sites (Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, HAR.com, etc.). Then I ask the neighbors on your block to a private preview with drinks and hors d’oeuvres – we want them as allies. I send a flier to residents within .25 miles of your home as well. I post the listing on several “realtor only” websites, including my brokerage site and send a Just Listed email to over 1000 Dallas Realtors® - they are our first prospects as each of them may represent several Buyers. Dave Perry-Miller has weekly/monthly ads in several publications and I would likely include your listing in one. I hold open houses frequently – the more feet we get through the home the faster we will sell. I video/narrate a walk through to post on social media. I call the most active Realtors® selling or representing Buyers in the area and let them know about the property.

Wow, this is so personal it’s difficult to answer! I have always loved older homes with “good bones” (layout, materials used, etc), then I make it my own with small changes like paint, landscaping, redoing hardware etc. I doubt that will change. My daughter lives in a very old home in a preservation district and she and family want a newer home to avoid repairs and the headaches that came with that older property. If you buy an older home check how old the plumbing is, the wiring, the gas (the city is replacing gas pipes after original install 80 yrs ago). That will save you money in the long-term. New builds are great as well – you have more input, from layout to finishes, open concept yes or no, how much of the lot you want home vs yard/pool and more. It takes more time than buying a pre-owned home but it’s a tradeoff for customization.

In short, probably not, but that’s an answer in a Seller’s market. The #1 thing Buyers look after great curb appeal is how well-kept the home is. Being spotless goes a long way; have you cleaned the glass fixtures, windows inside and out (hire a professional), if you have carpet has it been cleaned recently, if you have pets take them out of the home before every showing and make sure there are NO odors, and please, please get rid of clutter. If the home inspector was to come today, what do you know/think he would find? Think about that and do the easy, minor things as well as anything that is apparent.

Keep the kitchen, flooring and bathrooms updated, but don’t go for the most expensive choices unless you’re sure you’re NOT moving. A bathtub/shower combo in the primary bedroom is really dated, stained oak cabinets in the kitchen aren’t current, and wall-to-wall carpet is something most people don’t install anymore. Hardwoods are always good/safe and beautiful. If your home is truly modern, marble or terrazzo may work on floors as well.

Right or wrong, white still sells. I watch HGTV, too, and I see designers painting kitchen cabinets hunter green or navy blue. Those appeal to some of us, but the name of the game when selling is to appeal to the highest number of people possible. There are a few very pale grays that can work as well. Ask me for a list of paint colors that work, I’ll send it!

Number 1 with a bullet…..GET PRE-QUALIFIED! A true loan approval involves giving quite a bit of financial information to a mortgage lender, getting verification of employment, having them pull your credit score, looking at your loan-to-income ratio, etc. The approval lasts for 90 days and if it takes longer to find a home, they can update quickly. Sit down with a Realtor® and have a conversation about the why of your timing, your dreams, the top 3-5 “must-haves”, 3-5 “won’t accept” and how you like to communicate. If your Realtor® isn’t asking those questions, consider interviewing more. DRIVE AROUND! Clients look online for homes (we all do!). They find one they want to see and send it to me right away. I tell them to drive by first. The house next door, or across the may change their mind, ditto on the proximity of a business or school. It saves time and hones your searching skills.

Neighborhood is often the first consideration, along with well-rated schools. After spending months at home, the features most asked for are a home office with a door (too many were working at kitchen tables), an outdoor entertaining area, and a kitchen with a lot of storage, upscale appliances and an island. Oh, and the primary bedroom on the ground floor is a plus, with walk-in closets and bathroom with both tub and stand-alone shower.

The Dallas area has been on fire for the past year, with only a very short dip last March when Co-Vid shutdowns occurred. Sellers were reluctant to have Buyers tour. Fast forward and Buyers surprised everyone by continuing to buy; every month more homes were sold and at higher prices than the prior year!. We learned that there is a huge pent up demand from millennials as well as relocations from other states, especially California. So, the short answer, is sell now. Your home equity is likely higher than you Imagine and we’re starting to see more homes come on market (May & June the #’s increased), meaning there’s more competition for the Buyers. It’s still a Seller’s market ~ take advantage of it!

First, my background in business prior to real estate was sales, marketing and management of a $20 million dollar company. I bring those skills to my own real estate business. Sales and marketing go hand in hand – marketing is simply positioning a product (your home) to the buyers most likely to purchase it in a way that makes them want to buy! Management is handling the process/back-end of each transaction ~ negotiating offers, working with title company and other realtor to my client’s best interests, making sure deadlines are met and we go the distance to close. I’m also an Affiliate of the Real Estate Staging Association and work with Sellers to make their home photograph beautifully and get a “WOW!” reaction from every showing.