Barbara Reagan's blog

This is one of those annoying tasks that no one thinks about doing ahead of time, but is crucial, as you don’t want to forget and end up paying the buyer’s electricity bill for the first month.  So call now to let the utility companies know that you’re moving. Ask to have all utilities taken out of your name the day after closing.  

You’ll also want to call your TV and internet provider as well.   If you’re selling a single family house you’ll need to arrange for the water bill to be taken out of your name. Have all of the utilities stop on the business day after closing. If you...

If the buyer is using a mortgage to buy your home then the lender will require that an appraisal be conducted. So what is an appraisal? Read this blog post to find out!

Who orders the appraisal?  The buyer’s mortgage lender orders the appraisal, but the buyer pays for it.

When does the appraisal occur?  Usually during week day hours.

Do I need to attend the appraisal? No, you will not attend the appraisal. Instead, I'll meet the appraiser at your home and walk him/her through the property. We’ll go over the comps and state our case as to why we think the purchase price is...

The inspection usually takes place within the time frame shown in the contract, but normally 3 to 14 days after ratification! The buyer will schedule it, and their Realtor will check in with us to make sure the day and time work.

Most inspectors keep traditional business hours (no evenings or weekends), so the appointment usually happens during the week. Timing is key, since inspectors typically need 1–2 days to write their report after the visit, and we want to keep everything moving smoothly.

Do I Need To Be There?

Nope!  Sellers shouldn't be home for the inspection - it's a...

Great news—we’ve received an offer on your home!

First off, congrats again—your home is officially live!

This is an exciting step forward, and we’re so thrilled for you! To help make the best possible impression on potential buyers, here are a few quick tips to keep in mind before each showing:

Before You Head Out

Congratulations!  Your home is officially on the market, and all the prep work you've done is about to start paying off.  You've done your part getting the home ready - now it's our turn to bring in the buyers and get you an offer.

What To Expect With Showings

As soon as we get a showing request, I'll reach out to you via text, email or phone - whichever you prefer.  

While I ask the buyer agents to give a 24 hours' notice, last minute requests aren't uncommon.  Sometimes showings are requested the same morning fro that afternoon or evening.  So even if there's nothing...

If you're getting ready to close on a new home in Virginia, one of the best things you can do is bring a real estate attorney onto your team!

Do I Need A Real Estate Attorney?  You're not required to have a real estate attorney, but I highly recommend it.  In fact, most sellers choose to work with one - and for good reason!

Unless you're comfortable handling things like title issues, or preparing legal documents for closing (and most people aren't), having an experienced real estate attorney on your side can save you a lot of stress.  Even though Virginia allows non-lawyers (like...

One great way to build buzz and get your home sold quickly is to pre market it as a Coming soon listing - before it officially hits the public market.  This approach helps generate early interest from serious buyers and agents.  Together, we'll decide which strategies make the most sense for your home and your goals.  Here's how we can create that pre-market buzz:

• List your home on th eMLS as a Coming Soon listing!  This gets your home in front of top local agents before it's live on the public market, giving them a chance to line up interested buyers!
• Send out "Just Listed...

We are now just one step away from getting your home on the market - time for me to bring in the professional photographer!  However, before we do that, I recommend that you have your home deep cleaned (either by yourself or professionally) the day before the photo shooet!  We really want to make a good first impression (and most buyers will check your home out online before they ever make it to see your home in person), especially in the kitchen and baths!  Nothing turns off potential buyers faster than a home that looks (or smells) less than fresh!

Once your home is deep cleaned,...