Ready to Sell Your Home?

Fall 2020 Seller's Guide - Click below to receive your copy.

If you are thinking about selling your home, you are likely asking yourself the question, "What next?" We want BirminghamWelcomeHome.com and our team of experienced real estate agents to be a resource for you throughout the selling and buying process, as the two often go hand in hand. This guide will answer many of your questions, show you the details about the current market's status, and bring up a few things you likely haven't thought about yet. 

Neighborhood Market Report - Click below or contact us today to set up yours.

A market report helps you follow all the sales and market activity in your neighborhood. See how the houses down the street are selling to best follow your home's value. Set up yours today or call us and we will set it up for you!

 

 

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Christina Lowry James Team

My team and I are a full service, experienced team, and we can help you with all of your questions on values, timing, market preparation, home loans, negotiations, and trading spaces, whether upsizing or downsizing.

The Christina Lowry James Team focuses on creating a truly unique experience for our clients. Think of it as having a real estate concierge. Our number one goal is client satisfaction, which means giving you as stress-free of an experience as possible. It is what has earned our team the honor of being voted one of the three best real estate agents in Birmingham (2017) by AL.com member and Birmingham Magazine readers.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I call a real estate agent?

Right away! If you are just considering selling your house, you may want to talk to a Realtor before you start any projects. A Realtor can make sure you don’t put your money and time into projects, repairs, and painting that will not give you a return on investment. Realtors also have years of experience working with contractors and can connect you to some of the best in the area. Never forget, real estate agents are an incredible resource for you at the very beginning of the selling process!

I am moving from out of state to Birmingham. How do I manage that?

That is not a problem at all!

We have helped many people relocate seamlessly and, since long before the pandemic, we have used and continue to use technology as a tool to serve you. We can help you begin the process virtually and work with you to ensure you find the right home that fits your needs. 

I will be financing my next home and want to identify where I will move before putting my house on the market.

Smart planning on your part! Let’s talk and determine what you are looking for in a home and how you will approach payment for your next home, whether you are paying cash or need to work with a lender. If you will be working with a lender, we have a list of lenders that are knowledgeable, service-oriented, and offer reasonable closing costs.

After we understand the financing component, we can set up a customized home search for you to watch the market virtually and identify favorite homes and areas.

Next, we will need to estimate how long your current home will be on the market and its market value.

With all these pieces in place, we then will begin active marketing to prepare your home for the buying market so we can move quickly once you identify your new home.

The financing plan is ready, and your home is market ready. Everything is in place for you to make an offer once you identify your new home. 

Seem impossible? Not at all! We do this kind of thing every day and are happy to help you too.

I know there are things I need to do to prepare my house for market, but where do I begin?

No worries! Whether you're looking to make a few small changes or finish larger projects, we're here to help! We work in partnership with stagers to do a room by room checklist. We can do that virtually or in home.

Once we have a room by room checklist, we can assist you with completing each step. We have a saying around here…"One step at a time. Don’t sweat it.”

What colors should I paint my house?

Good question! When making paint decisions, remember that you are creating a blank space for the new owners. You are painting your house to appeal to the vast majority of buyer's tastes. We have witnessed homes with the right colors fly off the market.

In my experience selling homes, there is a family of colors that are especially buyer friendly. 

If you are considering painting the exterior, I have a blog entry that can help guide you on some of the trends and time-tested colors buyers prefer.    

I have pets which will make showing the home very difficult. How should we handle that?

We're here to help you explore all of your options. There are some challenges to selling your home with pets but none that cannot be overcome.

Some options include kenneling in home, kenneling out of home, creating temporary home for your pets with family, and having one room be secured with your pets. Also, decrease the number of pet things in your house during this time as to not overwhelm buyers. 

The last thing you have to remember is to keep your home fresh. If possible, keep litter boxes clean and put away, get your carpet cleaned, and ensure all furnishings are vacuumed. 

I need to paint and change my carpeting. I do not want to move my belongings to do that. Can I handle it after I sell my house with an allowance?

Optimally, you will net more money on your sale if you paint and recarpet before market. If that cannot be done, don’t worry about it. We have solutions for that too! When we meet, we will explore all your options, starting with those that will net you the most money for your investment and fit your needs.

Do I need to stage my house?

Staging is a great way to create a precise look and feel to a home while it is on the market. Staging can make a house look more spacious or help establish a flow between spaces. 

If you want some tips to try your hand at DIY staging, check out this video from RE/MAX for some advice. 

 

If you are interested in speaking with a professional stager, I know some great professionals that can help get your home ready to list!

What are closing costs?

Closing costs are fees connected to a real estate transaction on the buyer's side. The closing costs will be paid at the time of closing, and the appraisal and inspection are paid at the time of service. Click here to see a 2020 Purchase Rate Sheet. Click here to see the typical expenses that are a part of a real estate purchase.

If you have a question about real estate and need an agent to give you answers, ask, and a member of the Christina James Team will provide you with an answer!

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Our Testimonials

See what our past clients have to say about us!