Real Estate Selling Tips for Alpine & Nutrioso, Arizona

Selling a cabin or land in the White Mountains is different than your typical real estate sale. The chances are very good that the Buyer will not be from the White Mountains - usually they are from Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, El Paso, Las Cruces or Albuquerque. So, it is important that your agent is a Realtor and a member of the White Mountain Multiple Listing Service so that other brokerages may tour your property. However, it is also very important that the Realtor you choose has the capability and wherewithal to reach out beyond White Mountains and engage Buyers that will show interest in your property. There are all different types of marketing strategies including Internet websites, printed media advertising, search engines, directionals, signage and flyer boxes. The statistic to keep in mind is that according to the National Association of Realtors over 80% of the Buyers will research areas and properties online prior to contacting a Realtor. So, it stands to reason that working with a Realtor that has advanced Internet capabilities is definitely an advantage.

The property you own is an investment, the sale of the property from the choosing of a Realtor to marketing and pricing strategies should be based on good business decision making. The Realtor should provide you with “comps” or Comparative Listings of both properties that are active on the MLS and those that have sold. Pay particular attention to the properties that have sold in the last year, these will most likely be the same properties an Appraiser will use to verify the purchase price to a mortgage lending company. Keep in mind that over 90% of the properties sold will require a mortgage and an even higher percentage will be appraised even though it is a “cash sale”.

I have worked with hundred of clients selling properties over the years; here are my observations of some of the most Frequently Asked Questions.

• My best advice is “The less clutter the better”. It is tough to keep a cabin in “showing condition” all of the time. Usually Buyers are looking at cabins on a weekend, which makes it even tougher. When you are ready to list your cabin, take the time to remove all the clutter that personalizes your home to you. Remove most of the family photos, stacks of magazines, laundry piles, office paperwork, dog toys, etc., etc.
• Clean the cabin thoroughly. I suggest having a cleaning service completely go through your cabin – wash the windows, scrub/shampoo the flooring, shower floors, under the sink, trash can pull-outs, etc, etc.
• Bring the cabin up to “showroom condition”. If it needs paint, paint it. If it is broke, fix it. You do not want the Buyer to think about lowering their offer by thousands of dollars for something that may take an afternoon or a couple days to update.
• Flag all property corners so that the Buyers can visually inspect the boundaries of the property to their satisfaction prior to writing an offer.
• Any information that is pertinent to the value of the property should be copied and provided to your Realtor. This should include but not be limited to well reports, survey maps, cabin plans and Deed Restrictions.

• Flag the property boundaries, if you cannot find the boundary pins, hire a surveyor. I have yet to sell a property with unmarked corners.
• If there is a well, provide a well report. If there is no well, the Realtor should have an understanding of wells in the area. If there is power to the property line, Navapache Electric Co-Op will give you an estimated cost for hook-up once a meter is in place. If the property has been “perc tested” for septic, provide the report to your Realtor.
• Has the property been subdivided or can it be subdivided? If the property is already in a subdivision, then it is subdivided and your Realtor will be able to obtain a Public Report from the AZ Dept. of Real Estate or Apache County Records. If the property has not been subdivided and can be subdivided at a future date, the land is now more valuable.
• Remove all debris from the property including down timber. Land that does not look maintained will not bring as high of value as land that is maintained.
• There are many excellent land financiers available in Arizona. Typically, they like to lend on parcels that are less than 5 acres with water and power to the lot line. They will lend on properties without one or the other, but usually not without both amenities.

Contact Eric by Email: Eric@AzAlps.com