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.

11. Arrange furniture to give the rooms as spacious a feeling as possible. Consider removing furniture from rooms that are crowded. If necessary, store large items.

12. Pack up collectibles…both to protect them, and to give the room a more spacious feel. Leave just enough accessories to give the home a personal touch. Dispose of unneeded items.

13. Remove all clutter and make it a habit to pick up clothing, shoes, and personal possessions each day for possible showings.

14. Empty closets of off-season clothing and pack for the move. Organize them to demonstrate the most efficient use of space. Leave as few items on the floor or shelves as possible.

15. Use light to create a sense of space. All drapes should be open. Turn on all of the lights throughout the home before a showing, and be sure to replace any burned out light bulbs!

9. Be cautious about selecting colors when painting or replacing carpeting. Your objective here is to make your home appeal to the largest possible buying segment. Ask yourself “How many of the available buyers would be able to move into your house with their furniture and not have to replace the carpeting?” Position your home on the market to be as livable to as many people as possible.

10. Forget your personal taste…the “market” is always demand driven! The average buyer will have a hard time looking beyond blue carpeting and bold wallpaper. Consider replacing unusual or bold colors with neutral tones. Two coats of white paint may be the best investment you ever made.