Dear for Sale by Owner, 

I realize that you are currently selling your own home. However, it is my job as a Real Estate Professional to guide you with safety tips and other helpful information, so that you are fully aware of all the risks involved when selling by yourself.  

As an experienced and dedicated Real Estate Professional I will provide a FREE Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which will help determine the most effective list price for your home and an estimate of your proceeds. You may list your house at any price, but if the bank’s appraisal differs greatly from your listing price you’ve wasted time and money. The banks have the final say on all approvals for a mortgage and if your house doesn’t appraise at what you’re asking for, you’ve lost a buyer. You will also be given a FREE Home Enhancement Guide, that will give you many ideas on how to show case your home for success. Many times sellers are unaware of the little things that can be done to make your home more appealing, such as painting, rearranging furniture, lighting, etc.

If you should later decide to list with me I offer a Sellers Service GUARANTEE, beginning with a marketing action plan to nation wide relocation assistance. Should I not perform the services as agreed, you are entitled to terminate the listing.

Another service I can offer you is pre – approved buyers on the spot. Real Estate United has a relationship with a multitude of mortgage companies, ensuring that all perspective buyers come to your door pre-approved, so you’re not wasting your time.  

Perhaps, the greatest asset I can offer you is my membership to not one, but three Multiple Listing Services. I am a member of the Sullivan County, Ulster County and Greater Hudson Valley MLS, which cover all of Sullivan, Orange, Ulster with parts of Dutchess and Rockland counties included. Being a part of three Multiple Listing Services allows your home’s information to be viewed by thousands of Co-Operating Real Estate Agents to share with their perspective buyers.

Attached to this letter is a list of Safety Tips, one should keep in mind when selling their home by themselves. Should you feel the need to contact me further, my information is enclosed on the bottom of this letter. I would be happy to assist you with any additional help you need or questions you may have. I can even loan you a DVD or VHS on topics like pricing your property for the market, showcasing your home, safety tips and information for “for sale by owners,” and much more. 

Thank you for your time and feel free to contact me should you want more information or have questions on how to borrow a DVD or VHS on any of the topics mentioned above.  

Tonya Finn
Broker Associate 

SAFETY TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME YOURSELF

• DON'T PUT A "FOR SALE BY OWNER" SIGN ON YOUR PROPERTY. THIS INVITES STRANGERS TO COME TO YOUR DOOR AT ANY TIME AND RELAXES THE NATURAL ALERTNESS OF YOUR NEIGHBOR'S REGARDING STRANGERS BEING ON YOUR PROPERTY.

• WHETHER YOU USE A SIGN OR NOT, ALERT YOUR NEIGHBORS THAT YOU ARE SELLING YOUR HOME DIRECTLY AND THEY SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS OF STRANGE ACTIVITY.

• IF SOMEONE RESPONDS TO YOUR AD VIA TELEPHONE, MAKE SURE YOU GET AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE BEFORE GIVING THEM YOUR ADDRESS.

• REMEMBER, EVEN IF YOU ONLY PUT YOUR NUMBER IN THE AD, IT IS VERY SIMPLE TO LOCATE YOUR ADDRESS IN A CROSS - REFERENCE DIRECTORY. EXPECT DRIVEBY LOOKERS WHETHER YOU'VE GIVEN AN ADDRESS OR NOT.

• NEVER SHOW YOUR HOME UNLESS YOU'RE ACCOMPANIED BY ANOTHER ADULT.

• IF YOU LEAVE YOUR CHILDREN HOME ALONE AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY, MAKE IT A RULE THAT THEY ARE NOT TO ADMIT STRANGERS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. ADOLESCENT CHILDREN, WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION AND ARE TRYING TO BE HELPFUL TO YOU, CAN EASILY BE PERSUADED. ALERT BABYSITTERS TO THE SAME RULE.

• IF YOUR HOME AS AN ALARM SYSTEM, DO NOT DEMONSTRATE HOW IT WORKS OR ITS LOCATION. BE CAUTIOUS OF ANYONE WHO REQUESTS SUCH A DEMONSTRATION.

• AFTER SHOWING PEOPLE YOUR HOME, RECHECK ALL OF THE LOCKS ON THE WINDOWS AND DOORS; DON'T FORGET THE BASEMENT AND ATTIC. IT ONLY TAKES A FEW SECONDS FOR SOMEONE TO UNFASTEN LOCKS.

• DO NOT GIVE ANY INDICATION AS TO WHEN YOUR PROPERTY WILL BE LEFT UNATTENDED. EXAMPLE: "WE CAN ONLY SHOW YOU OUR HOME IN THE EVENING, BECAUSE WE BOTH WORK."

• KEEP ALL JEWELRY, CREDIT CARDS AND OTHER POCKET - SIZE VALUABLES HIDDEN. DO NOT WEAR FLASHY JEWELRY WHILE SHOWING YOUR HOME THAT MAY ATTRACT UNUSUAL ATTENTION.

• WHEN SHOWING YOUR HOME, ACCOMPANY THE PARTY AT ALL TIMES. IF YOU ARE SHOWING TO MORE THAN ONE PARTY AT THE SAME TIME, KEEP THEM TOGETHER.

• PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE LOCATION OF YOUR KEYS. IF ONE SHOULD GO MISSING HAVE THE LOCKS REPLACED.

• BE CERTAIN THAT ALL BUYERS COME TO YOUR DOOR ACCOMPANIED BY A PRE - APPROVAL. WASTED TIME IS LOST TIME AND MONEY.

ADDITIONAL TIPS WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME ON YOUR OWN

• ATTENTION FEMALE SELLERS: YOU SHOULD BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL NOT TO SHOW THE HOUSE ALONE. NEVER ENTER BEDROOMS OR AREAS THAT WILL MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO RUN AWAY SHOULD YOU HAVE TO.

• ALWAYS KEEP A PHONE OR CELL PHONE HANDY (HIDE IT IN A SMALL POCKET, BELT, ETC.), IN CASE AN EMERGENCY ARISES.

• NEVER ENTER ANY ROOMS, ATTICS, BASEMENTS OR OTHER SECLUDED AREAS BEFFORE THE PARTY/PARTIES LOOKING AT YOUR HOME. ALWAYS ENTER AFTER THE INDIVIDUAL(S) LOOKING AT YOUR HOME.

• KEEP ALL FIREARMS IN A LOCKED CABINET OR CLOSET. IF YOU HAVE FIREARMS ON DISPLPAY, MAKE SURE THE CABINET IS LOCKED AND THE KEY IS HIDDEN.

• EVEN IF YOU HAVE GAINED A REPOR WITH A CUSTOMER, REMEMBER THEY ARE STILL A STRANGER, NO MATTER HOW INNOCENT HE OR SHE MAY APPEAR. A CRIMINAL COULD BE THE NEIGHBOR NEXT DOOR.

• NEVER HOLD AN OPEN HOUSE, UNLESS YOU HAVE ENOUGH HELP TO DO ORGANIZED TOURS.

• KEEP ALL SECRET COMPARTMENTS, HIDDEN ROOMS, LOCATION OF SAFE, ETC. A SECRET UNTIL AFTER CLOSING.

• YOU SHOULD KEEP PEPPER SPRAY OR MACE HANDY AND CLOSE.

FOR ADDITIONAL SAFTEY TIPS OR MORE INFORMATION ON SELLING YOUR HOME, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. I HOPE THAT THIS INFORMATION WILL HELP IN KEEPING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE. 

CONTACT INFO: TONYA FINN, REAL ESTATE UNITED
1197 DOLSONTOWN ROAD, MIDDLETOWN N.Y. 10940
CELL: (845) 798-3422, OFFICE: (845)342-8658 X227
FAX: (845) 818-3922
EMAIL: homes@tonyafinn.com OR tonyafinn@hotmail.com
WEB SITE: www.tonyafinn.com
 

THESE RECOMMENDED SAFETY TIPS AREN’T MEANT TO SCARE ANYONE. I HAVE FORMULATED THIS LIST TO HIGHTEN YOUR AWARENESS TO THE MANY DIFFERENT SCAMS AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THAT SURROUND US.

CRIMINALS DON’T WEAR BANNERS ON THEIR FOREHEADS. THEY LOOK JUST LIKE YOU AND ME. PLEASE BE SAFE!