The Tribune

By MIKE LIGHTBOURN WHO built your home and in what year? How much are your utility bills? Do you have insulation in the ceilings? How old is the roof? Seems like a lot of questions? If you plan to sell your home, you're going to need lots of answers. Today's home purchasers make their decisions based on facts, not conjecture. The information you provide can have a dramatic effect on how quickly your home sells. After choosing a BREA agent, ask what information should be provided to purchasers. The agent should be able to present a "laundry list" of common questions. Many of those questions will be related to the construction of the house and the performance of its systems, i.e. air conditioning, appliances, etc. Property taxes, utility bills, and recent repairs will also be important. You may also be asked when the house was last tented for termites. Get started right away - don't wait until a prospective purchaser starts asking questions. You may need to dig through records and paid bills to come up with some answers. If the builder is around, he may be able to provide some details not known to you. If you have a floor plan or blueprint, make copies available. Have work tickets handy if major building components have been replaced or repaired. While the BREA agent is responsible for attracting prospective purchasers, you can help improve the likelihood of an early sale. Work closely with your agent, and then enjoy the results! Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty