Selling your home - Reviewing Offers

There is a lot more to an offer than the price someone is willing to pay when it comes to selling a home.

Closing Date
This date is very important to consider. What costs are involved in moving on that day? Do you have to store your furniture due to a short closing? Do you have to pay for two places due to a long closing?

Financing
Do you have to discharge existing mortgages and debts? What is the payout penalty? What is the early discharge fee?
The buyer may want you to takeback a mortgage. This might be great if you are trading down, however if your trading up you will want all the funds for a bigger down payment.

Conditions
Conditions are usually quite short on financing and you want to know that the buyer is able to get the financing needed before the offer is accepted.
You could be better off with an offer with less conditions even if slightly lower in price.

Items included in sale
If you have any chattels that you don't want to go with the house the best bet is to have them not in view when the house is viewed.

How a Realtor helps
The knowledge the Realtor has as well as the training they have received and access to the Multiple Listing Service are all ways in which a realtor can help.

Using the MLS system helps find qualified buyers for the property and once offers come in the Realtor can review them and look at them objectively with you. It will be up to you to decide if you want to accept, reject, or counter the offer.