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.

Moving can be a complicated and chaotic time, The Swinney Sells Team has created a moving checklist to assist you in this process.  Moving locally is different as compared to moving out – of – state.  So, not all of these will be pertinent to everybody but can easily be printed out and used as a reference.  Ryan and Bruce Swinney Helena, Mt. Real Estate Brokers offer a few lasts minute moving suggestions.

In your car keep these items with you prior to closing on your new home, you may need them at closing.

___All phone numbers of anyone related to your home sale and new home purchase, including lenders, and your favorite real estate company.

(Example:  The Swinney Sells Team  406-442-3616 or Ryan Swinney 406-431-8130 or  Bruce Swinney 406-431-1508)

___  Copy of Buy-Sell From Previous Home and estimated net sheet.

___  Copy of new home purchase Buy-Sell

___ Cancellation of previous insurance on previous home

___ Copy of new insurance binder for your lender and closing agent

___  Copy of checking and savings account numbers and records

___   Most recent pay stubs (just in case)

___  Copy of current driver’s license

___  Pick up any last minute laundry before you leaving town permanently

___  Return all borrowed items

___ Mail Change of Address forms: Example Banks, Credit Card Companies, Magazines, Post Office, and Personal Friends.

___ Cancel any monthly memberships, do you have any rebates or deposits coming?

___ Pay final utilities, including water, HOA Fees from previous home

___ Safe Deposit items, are you keeping the existing safe deposit box?

___Cell Phone, previous and current phone book if needed.

___ Ask your Physician, Dentist, Attorney, Realtor, for referral information in your new area

Part 2 will be posted soon, so come on back!

Helena Montana Real Estate Team - The Swinney Sells Team

Golden Estates 3 has been a good area for The Swinney Sells Team this 2011 real estate season.   The Swinney Sells Team, www.swinneysells.com sold or participated in the sale of  three single family properties in this area alone.  After almost 30 years in the single family residential real estate market it is almost a phenomena.  If you are a homeowner thinking of selling, and you see one sold sign pop up in your neighborhood you can certainly believe that more homes will sell in your neighborhood in a short time frame.   For some strange reason other homeowners and buyers are thinking the same thing about buying and selling.  This was true for The Swinneysells team participating in three closed transactions for 2011.  Patients and perseverance pays off.  Congratulations to the sellers, buyers, and agents in the Helena, Montana real estate market.

Sold MLS # 277072

Sold MLS # 277100

Sold MLS #277126.

If you live in Golden Estates and are thinking of selling and would like a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA) or would like to talk Real Estate Marketing call  Bruce or Ryan Swinney at 406 442-3616.  If you would like to request a CMA click here!

Priced at $249,900, this one level 3 bedroom 2-bath ranch style home has many upgrades including porcelin tile floors, open floor plan, hickory cabinets, large kitchen island, vaulted ceilings in the great room, and 3 bedrooms on the main floor.  The large master suite has a large walk-in closet and a master bathroom with a his & hers sinks, dual headed shower & a jetted bathtub.  The 2 car attached garage allows for a protected entryway.  Call Jennifer Swinney at 406-459-9236 to schedule your private showing. 

VIRTUAL TOUR

MAP

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

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!