John L. Scott has put together a great resource for people gathering information on buying or selling a home. Rather than reinvent the wheel, we suggest you browse through the Ask John L. Scott website for some great hints. Of course, we would be happy to talk in person with you about any special circumstances you may be facing that aren't covered in the Ask John L. Scott website.
 

- In addition to the above link…here are some thoughts from The Lester Group -  

BUYERS –

Be sure to visit the local city or county before purchasing.  Visit in person and talk to a planner.  Check to see if there are any new projects or changes that you can learn about that may affect the property you are considering purchasing.

Double check the schools if that is important to you. Do not trust the listing…call the school district directly and give them the address of the property you are considering purchasing.

Consider visiting with some neighbors before making an offer.  Neighbors can often tell you things that the seller won’t tell you and that the Realtors don’t know.

Check the internet to see if there is a registered sex offender near the home you are considering purchasing.  Remember that this website is not going to tell you about all ‘bad’ elements…but it is a start.

SELLERS –

Consider staging your home.  Hire an ASP or a professional Stager.  The Lester Group has an ASP, however, we will only stage homes that we are listing.

Be sure to remove all small valuables and medicines from the house.

Try to be gone from the house for all previews and showings.

Selecting a real estate agent to represent you –

Be sure you are selecting a Realtor.

Ask about their experience in your marketplace.

Ask about their credentials and designations.

• Associate Broker (AB) – Minimum of two years of full-time experience as a salesperson in Washington or in another jurisdiction having comparable requirements AND 120 clock hours of instruction in real estate including: --30 clock hours real estate law, --30 clock hours brokerage management, --30 clock hours business management, and a --30 clock hour approved elective course AND Successful passage of examination. www.dol.wa.gov

• Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) –  The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC) of the National Association of REALTORS® who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria. www.rebac.net

• Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) - ASP Real Estate Agents are true Professionals trained under strict guidelines using proven Staging techniques developed for over 30 years. www.Stagedhomes.com

• Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (LHMS) - The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing exists to help real estate professionals provide high quality service to the buyers and sellers of luxury homes. They are the premier independent authority in training and certification for real estate agents working in the upper-tier residential market. The Institute offers the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation for luxury home marketing, conducts research in the high-end market, and promotes its members to affluent buyers and sellers. www.CLHMS.org

• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) – CRS is the highest designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field and recognizes their professional accomplishments in both experience and education. Less than 4% of Realtors have the CRS designation.  www.CRS.com  

• Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) – GRI is the mark of a real estate professional who has made the commitment to provide a high level of professional services by securing a strong educational foundation. REALTORS® with the GRI designation are highly trained in many areas of real estate to better serve and protect their clients.   http://www.realtor.org/griclear.nsf