Part 2 Tips on Moving from the Swinney Sells Team Helena, Mt.

So you have sold your home and you are on the move to beautiful and spectacular Helena, Montana and you are preparing to load up your car for the long drive, here is an additional checklist that might be of help.

___ Have your car serviced, check fuel, oil, have the tires rotated.

___ A list of your children’s immunization record and previous school documentation.

___  Get copies of your bank statements, savings account numbers, stock and bonds act.

___ Safe Deposit contents and key, What are you going to do with your previous safe deposit box, Cancel or keep?

___ Return any borrowed items.

___ Cancel memberships in organizations,

___ Transfer Church related items

___ Make reservations at a motel in advance just in case you are not spending your first few nights at your new home.

___ Don’t forget to pack overnight clothes, tooth brushes, razor medications,  flashlight, children’s favorite blankets, pillows, etc.

___ Cancel your newspaper and milk deliveries

___Make certain to leave all keys to your previous home including garage door openers

___What about your pets, how are they going to travel?  Do you have a list of their up to date vaccinations from your veterinarian?

___Ask for referrals from your previous Realtor, attorney, doctors, bankers, veterinarian, any one of the essentials.

___Be sure to leave your existing home in a “Broom Clean Fashion” for the new buyers, including cleaning out the refrigerator,

dishwasher, empty all trash and debris.  Replace light bulbs if necessary. You want to keep the new buyers happy and proud.

One idea is a hand written note thanking them for purchasing your home, leave some candy, a bottle of wine, soft drinks, etc.

Moving is hetic at best.  Try to get a good nights sleep before leaving,  Make certain the children, pets are all secured before departing.  Don’t pull a Vacation  and back out of your garage with all of your luggage on top of the family truckster without checking that it will clear the garage door!  Buckle up and drive safely!  Call us if you need anything 406 442-3616. The Swinney sells Team!

Remember we offer a Free Moving Truck for local moves..call for details and reservations

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE OUR FREE – LOCAL MOVING TRUCK!

PS.  Just a note to let you know that we have a NEW Cell Phone Ban including texting while driving in the city limits of Helena, Mt.

UNIQUE PROPERTY HERE…YOU CAN LITERALLY FLY IN OR FLY OUT

When you become the proud owners of this beautiful one level home complete with your own private landing strip.  With a runway approximately 2,000 ft. in length this is an ideal property for the buyer who loves to fly his or her own aircraft.  The run way is an irrigated grass landing strip.  You can taxi right in to a fully covered, self-contained hanger complete with heated garage and work shop space plus a half bath.

The home comes with a gorgeous 8.5 acres that are meticulously groomed and a 7.5 acre parcel that is leased through the rail road company for $100/year.  Built for the current owners originally in 1978, then remodel extensively.  The home is bright open and cheerful.  All the rooms are large and spacious.  The kitchen is a chef’s dream come true with beautiful Quartz counter tops plus the latest in cooking appliance amenities.  There is even a wonderful private patio located just off the kitchen with a built in grill and outdoor fireplace.

This home is really a Dream Come True and reflect a leisurely lifestyle.  All of your recreational vehicles, boats, motor homes, 4 Wheelers, truck, snowmobiles have protected garage spaces.  There are 3 shops on the property:  The first is an 80′ X 40′ with a 4 car garage in front and an airplane hanger in back.  There is a 3/4 bath in this building and radiant in floor heat with a wood stove too.  The second is a 30′ X 40′ 3 car un-insulated garage which is ideal for the mowers, etc.  The third is a 36′ X 60′ motor home storage garage with 14′ doors.  This property is ideal for someone with a lot of toys.

Call Ryan or Bruce Swinney to schedule a showing 406 442-3616.  Virtual tour of this wonderful home: www.swinneysells.com

Or click here to watch a virtual tour of this amazing property!

Why should I use an agent to purchase a new-construction home?

The advantages of having us help you purchase a new home are the same as those for purchasing an existing home for resale. We can provide you with valuable insight into the new construction industry, help you find the perfect home quickly, and then provide you with expertise in contract writing, negotiation, & assistance in getting your dream home closed. The builder has a professional real estate representative who watches out for his or her best interests, and you need and deserve the same expert representation watching out for yours.

Buying a new home is a little more difficult and time-consuming than buying a resale home. We can professionally guide you through this process. Having spent years working with builders, The Swinney Sells Team has a rapport with them and a database of information about subdivisions, floor plans, etc. The Swinney Sells Team is also very familiar with new home warranties & the nuances of the builder’s purchase contracts and various home inspections.

It is very important that your interests be professionally represented when you are entering into a contract for a semi-custom or build-to-suit home. These transactions are complex and the contract details must be exactly in order to protect and to ensure that you get exactly the home you want!

And when it comes to the home inspection, we will explain to you why it is essential to hire an independent home inspector to thoroughly inspect a newly constructed home.

Are there any advantages to not using an agent to purchase a new home?

There is no financial advantage for you to buy directly from the builder. Builders typically have a “single price” policy, meaning that you will be charged the same price whether an agent represents your interests or not. Just as in resale, the seller pays your agent’s fee. Most builders will make you give up your right to representation if you approach them first personally; therefore, it is essential that you call The Swinney Sells Team first before you start interviewing builders, so that you are given the representation that you deserve. Call The Swinney Sells Team at 406-442-3616 and let us help you start building your future in a new house to call home.

Once we have your criteria, we search the Multiple Listing Service daily to find properties that match your criteria.  Once a match is found, we send data sheets for that property to you, either by email or postal mail. This allows you to look at properties on your time and to review all of the details of that property.  We are available by INternet so you can easily send us an email if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to see a property with a Swinney Sells Team Realtor. 

WE SEARCH FOR HOMES THAT MEET YOUR CRITERIA!

NOTIFICATION BY MAIL OR BY EMAIL!

A SEPARATE BUYER DIVISION TO SAVE YOUR TIME!

A TEAM OF TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WILL WORK HARD FOR YOU AND WITH YOU!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate, call the Swinney Sells Team today at 866-442-3616 or 406-442-3616 or email office@bruceswinney.com

The Swinney Sells Team is on fire this year!  To date the Helena Multiple Listing Service (MLS) has an average sales price of $207,674 for residential listings.  The Swinney Sells Team has an average sales price of $231,095.77.  Also, the average list-to-sales price of the Helena MLS is 97.92% list to sales price, whereas the Swinney Sells Team is supporting a 98.33% list-to-sales price.  What this means is that we will put our excellent negotiating skills to work for you, getting you top dollar in the shortest time frame.

With  only 14 marketing specialists, The Swinney Sells Team is a boutique agency offering great one-on-one customer service with the high attention to detail & excellent communication.  The Swinney Sells Team has an unbelievable marketing package that offers your property the most exposure possible!  Call us today to see how The Swinney Sells Team can benefit you 406-442-3616.

1. Make sure the yard is neatly mowed, raked and edged.

2. Prune and shape shrubbery and trees to compliment your house.

3. Consider adding seasonal flowers along the walks or in the planting areas. Plop the plants into a well-placed wheelbarrow, an old-fashioned washtub, or what have you. Such standbys as nasturtiums, petunias, impatiens, and verbena are easy to maintain if you only remember to water them regularly. Try a row of sweet smelling alyssum to line a short sidewalk or pop in some perky dwarf marigolds to form a cheerful oasis of color in your yard. The local nursery’s will offer great advise to what will & what won’t grow in Montana’s short growing season. Also, another main concern is finding plant species that our local deer population do not eat, the nursery’s will help with this also!

4. It is important to devote at least one area of your yard to outdoor living. Buyers will still recognize a scene set with a picnic table and chairs and respond positively to it. Cover your picnic table with a fringed, red-and-white checked cloth set out some plastic plates and glasses bring out the barbecuing equipment, and buyers will almost smell the hot dogs cooking!

5. The driveway is no place for children’s toys. Not only are such things dangerous, the clutter is unsightly.

6. The surface of your driveway should be beyond reproach; after all, it’s one of the first things a buyer will see when he drives up. Sweep and wash the driveway and walks to remove debris, dirt and stains. Repair and patch the cracks, edge the sides and pull up any weeds. If it is in the winter months, keep the driveway & walkways shoveled & clean of snow & ice.

Check your home for any needed maintenance just as a buyer would. Repaint or touch up as necessary. You can’t make a better investment when you are selling your house! Don’t let the outside turn buyers off before the inside turns them on.

1. Color has the power to attract. A tub of geraniums, a pot of petunias, or a basket of impatiens on the front steps is a welcoming touch.

2. If you are selling during the winter months, consider using a wreath of dried flowers on the front door.

3. If you have a porch or deck, set the stage with pots of flowers and attractively arranged furniture.

4. Check to see that all doors and windows are in good working order. Give special attention to your home’s exterior doors and front entry. Clean and paint doors if necessary. Remember, first impressions are likely to color the remainder of the house tour.

5. Wash all windows and replace any broken and cracked windowpanes.

6. Screens should be free of any tears or holes.

7. Inspect all locks to ensure that they are functioning properly.

8. Check for loose or missing shingles.

9. Invest in a new doormat that says, “Welcome”.

These items are great for a buyers’ first impressions as well as items that could come up from a home inspector during a buyers inspection period.  So, by taking a walk around your home from the outside – in, you may just save yourself money or potentially the sale of your home!

For other Great Home Improvement Ideas Click Here!

If you are thinking of moving call The Swinney Sells Team @ (406)442-3616 or email anyone of us @ office@bruceswinney.com Although, we can never promise your home will sell, we can promise that when you list with The Swinney Sells Team, we will be the reason it sells!  We are the Helena, Montana Real Estate Marketing Specialists!

To preview our Listings click here!

This part of preparing your home for sale is the most fun and involves the use of color, lighting, and accessories to emphasize the best features of your home.

22. Study magazine ads or furniture showrooms to see how small details can make rooms more attractive and appealing. The effect of a vase of flowers, an open book on the coffee table, a basket of birch logs by the fireplace, a scented candle, etc. can make the difference in a room.

23. The use of a brightly colored pillow in a wing chair or a throw blanket on a couch can add dimension to a sterile room.

24. Soften potentially offending views, but always let light into your rooms. Replace heavy curtains with sheer white panels. Never apologize for things you cannot change. The buyer will either decide to accept or reject the property regardless of the words you say. Just present your home in the best possible way with complete honesty.

25. Go through your photo albums and select pictures of your house and yard during all seasons. If hung at eye level in a well-lighted area, the pictures will speak for themselves and give you yet another selling stage.

26. Take advantage of natural light as much as possible by cleaning windows, opening shades and drapes etc. Add lamps and lighting where necessary. Be sure that all fixtures are clean and have functioning bulbs.

When placing yourself in the potential buyer’s shoes, you will want to consider the overall atmosphere of your home.  Keep in mind your sence of smell as you go through the checklist.  Create the atmosphere of your home as a shelter, a place that is safe and warm, and in good condition.

16. A clean smelling house creates a positive image in the buyer’s mind. Be aware of any odors from cooking, cigarettes, pets, etc., that may have adverse effects on potential buyers. Remember that some people are much more sensitive to odors than others. Smokers rarely notice the odor of tobacco that fills their homes, and pet owners may be oblivious to objectionable cat or doggy odor.

17. You can use products like carpet deodorizers, air fresheners, and room deodorizers; but the best strategy is to remove the source of the smell rather than cover it up.

18. Unfortunately, often the only way to remove the smell of pet urine from flooring is to rip up the carpeting and padding and replace them. If this is preventing the sale of your home, don’t hesitate to make this investment.

19. If smoking or cooking odors have permeated your home, have your carpets and furniture cleaned, and air out or dry-clean your drapes.

20. Mildew odors are another no-no. Don’t allow wet towels to accumulate in hampers or dirty laundry to pile up in closets.

21. Once offensive odors are removed, consider adding delightful ones. Recent studies have shown that humans have strong, positive responses to certain smells. Cinnamon, fresh flowers, breads baking in the oven are all excellent ways to enhance your property for sale.