Out-of-town seller must plan for success

Even though homes sell faster in the Washington region than in most other parts of the country, it sometimes happens that a home doesn’t move before the owners do. Whether it’s due to a job transfer or the owner’s choice, if the “For sale” sign still decorates the yard when moving day is right around the corner, real estate experts say, research and planning are crucial for a successful sale.

However, in this age of e-mail, faxes and Internet resources, today’s sellers can leave an unsold home behind and, with their Realtor’s help, take care of business long distance.

“While it’s not more difficult to sell, the preparation work has to be made very carefully,” says Tim Bird of ZipRealty Inc. in McLean. “It’s unnerving when your house is on the market in a different location, and it behooves you to go through the upfront planning process.”

Selling a home while the owners are out of town presents a bevy of challenges, so professionals advise sellers to pick an agent carefully by asking questions specific to their situation.

“When you talk to a Realtor, make sure that they are comfortable with your not being in town,” Mr. Bird says.

It’s also a good idea to interview a couple of agents and ask them important questions, such as, “When a contract comes in, how are we going to handle the presentation?” says Esther Pryor, chairman of the board of directors for the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.

When looking for an agent to help with your long-distance sale, do the normal things that people selling a home do — contact three local real estate companies and get different opinions about how someone is going to market your house to get the most exposure.

Also, the experts suggest online research to find Realtors who have included photos and e-mail links on their Web sites.

“Find out who’s going to incorporate today’s technology,” says Beth Tyler of Long & Foster Real Estate in Annapolis. She recommends that when sellers call various real estate companies, they shouldn’t be content to deal with whomever answers the phone. Instead, she recommends asking for one of the top 10 Realtors within that office.

Once a Realtor has been selected, it’s important to start planning the details and getting your home in perfect condition before you move. Realtors suggest having the house professionally cleaned and making sure everything is in working order.

“I had two clients who moved out of the area fast, and in both cases, they each took one trip back to go over things on how to present the property in the best light. Then I took care of the details,” Mr. Bird says. “Get the house in shape, and see that all of the cleaning and painting is done so that the prospective buyer doesn’t have to do anything but move into the home.”

Real estate professionals also suggest that the seller leave some furniture in the home, if possible.

“A house with furniture always looks better, but if you do leave furniture, make sure that the home doesn’t look overly cluttered,” Ms. Pryor says.

“Homes show nicer with furniture, but sometimes it depends on the house,” says Ms. Tyler, who adds that if the furniture is dirty or makes the house look cluttered, it’s better to take it with you when you go.

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