FAQ & Answers

Q: Why should I choose Betty Chandler to list/sell
     my home/property?

Q: What is the difference between being pre-
     qualified and pre-approved?

Q: What's the difference between an appraisal
     and a home inspection?

Q: What does an inspection include & how do I
     find an Inspector?

Q: Why should I chose Betty Chandler to list/sell my home/property?

A: Your home may be your single biggest investment and one of the largest financial transactions you'll ever make. So when you sell, you want to get the best price and the most favorable terms. But there's much more to marketing a home than placing a classified ad in the newspaper and anchoring a "For Sale" sign in the front yard. There are a myriad of marketing options, legalities and details that go into the sale - from the time you set the price to the final closing.

The best way to make sure you sell your home for the best price, and in the shortest amount of time, is to work with a professional agent. I'm educated in every aspect of the transaction, from writing an offer to negotiating the price, arranging financing and following the transaction through to escrow.

• I know the market and will help you set the right price. I also know what buyers are looking for and the financial incentives that will encourage them to buy.

• I am a member of the multiple listing service (MLS), a service that enables me to provide detailed information about your home to the thousands of other agents assisting buyers.

• In addition to the MLS, I interact with other agents on a daily basis. We trade information about new properties and match eager buyers with the right homes.

• Windermere's nationwide referral system provides me access to the large number of people who relocate each year, increasing the pool of qualified buyers for your home. I can quickly separate the qualified buyers from the rest of the pack. This saves you time because your home is only being shown to serious buyers.

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Q: What is the difference between being pre-qualified and pre-approved?

A: If you are "pre-qualified" you have determined, with a loan officer, what price you can afford based on the down payment, your debts and the amount the mortgage company will approve for your mortgage. Being "pre-qualified" is only a determination of your probable credit. If you are "pre-approved", it means that the lender has approved your credit, employment, and funds.

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Q: What's the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection?

A: An inspection is meant to evaluate, at minimum, the structural and mechanical condition of a property. It is not the same as an appraisal, which evaluates the market value of a property. Persons involved in real estate transactions need unbiased information about the physical condition of property they plan to buy or sell and your contract should include a contingency that you obtain a satisfactory inspection report. Talk with your agent about the types of inspections available.

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Q: What does an inspection include & how do I find an Inspector?

A: Every inspection should include, but not be limited to, an evaluation of at least the following:

• Heating and air conditioning systems

• Common areas (in condominiums)

• Plumbing and electrical systems

• Hazardous materials concerns

• Ceiling, walls and floors

• Foundations

• Ventilation

• Insulation

• Doors

• Roof

Qualified Inspectors can be located via:

• Referrals from satisfied customers

• Referral from a local real estate agent or mortgage company

• Local consumer affairs office

• Yellow Pages under "Building Inspection Services"

Ask if she/he is a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). The ASHI has established standards of practice which include the specific services, limitations and exclusions that can be expected from private home inspectors.

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