Sellers

Here are a few items to take care of before listing your home. This can make the sale process quicker and easier in the long run.

• Consider a pre-sale home inspection.
  An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.
• Organize and clean.
  Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and seasonal items. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.
• Get replacement estimates.
  Do you have big-ticket items that will

How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job?

Like most professions, experience is no guarantee of skill. But much of real estate is learned on the job.

How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year?

This will touch on how much experience they have, and how up-to-date they are on the local market.

What designations or certifications do you hold?

Real estate professionals have to take additional specialized training in order to obtain these distinctions. Designations and certifications help define the special skills that an agent can apply to your particular real estate needs. One designation sellers might for is the CRS®, or Certified Residential Specialist, but there are also

Plan ahead.

Develop a master to-do list so you won’t forget something critical heading into moving day. This will also help you create an estimate of moving time and costs.

Discard items you no longer want or need.

Ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you’d feel if you no longer had it. Sort unwanted items into “garage sale,” “donate,” and “recycle” piles.

Pack similar items together.

It will make your life easier when it's time to unpack.

Decide what you want to move on your own.

Precious items such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move should probably stay with you. Pack a moving day bag with a small first-aid kit, snacks, and other items you may need before unpacking your “Open

Q: I live in a subdivision that has a Home Owner’s Association (HOA). My house is on the market and I am being told that I must provide a disclosure certificate to my buyer? I have bought and sold before and have never had to do this. Can you please explain?

In 2013, the NM State Legislature passed a law requiring sellers to provide buyers with a “disclosure certificate.” The law went into effect on July 1, 2013. The purpose of the disclosure is to give your buyer information about the business affairs of the HOA so that they can make an informed decision about the financial health of the HOA prior to buying. Talk with the President of your HOA about obtaining this disclosure to give to your buyer. Your REALTOR® can also assist you in obtaining the

• Update your mailing address at usps.com or fill out a change-of-address form at your local post office.
• Change your address with important service providers, such as your bank(s), credit companies, magazine subscriptions, and others.
• Create a list of people who will need your new address.
  Whether you plan on sending formal change-of-address notices in the mail or just e-mailing the family members, friends, and colleagues who should be informed, a list will ensure no one gets left out.
• Contact utility companies.
  Make sure they’re aware of your move date, and arrange for service at your new home if the service provider will remain the same.
• Check insurance coverage.
  The insurance your moving company provides will generally only cover the

Once you are under contract, your lender will send out an appraiser to make sure the purchase price is in line with the property’s value.

Appraisals help guide mortgage terms.

The appraised value of a home is an important factor in the loan underwriting process. Although lenders may use the sale price to determine the amount of the mortgage they will offer, they generally only do so when the property is sold for less than the appraisal amount. Also, the loan-to-value ratio is based on the appraised value and helps lenders figure out how much money may be borrowed to purchase the property and under what terms. If the LTV is high, the lender is more likely to require the borrower to purchase private mortgage insurance.

Appraised value is not a