Three Things That Help Homes Sell

A New York-based real estate agent, Wanda Tineo spent more than a decade working in the insurance industry as an underwriter. After switching her career focus to real estate, Wanda Tineo spent several years selling homes for Kennedy & Kennedy before going into business for herself.

While the right real estate agent is an essential part of selling a home, the process isn’t solely dependent on the real estate agent. Below are several things homeowners can do to ensure their home sells quickly:

Unclutter

When a house is cluttered, it can often look and feel smaller than it actually is. To avoid this, homeowners should clean all areas of their house, particularly the laundry room, kitchen, bathroom, and other places that tend to collect various items. The things removed from these areas should then be put in a storage unit rather than being moved to a closet to make sure every space in the home remains uncluttered.

Fix everything

Home inspections play a big role in the final agreed-upon price of a home that’s for sale. To get the most for a home, owners should set about fixing everything they can. While doing this, special focus should be on items that are easily seen, such as rotting wood and carpet stains. Fixing these problems ahead of time lowers the risk that a deal will fall through or that the homeowner will get less for the property.

Brighten the house

Homes that appear poorly lit or dark can be depressing and often turn buyers away. To brighten living spaces, homeowners can use both artificial and natural light when opening their home for viewings. During a showing, the blinds and curtains should all be opened to let in as much light as possible. At the same time, light fixtures should be outfitted with high-wattage bulbs. Light paint colors on the walls also help brighten a home.

An Introduction to the FINRA Series 6 and Series 63 Licenses

A real estate professional with more than a decade of experience, Wanda Tineo serves as an independent agent in New York. Prior to entering real estate, Wanda Tineo worked in the insurance industry for 15 years, holding Series 6 and Series 63 licenses. 

Administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Series 6 license grants the ability to sell packaged investment products, including insurance policies, variable annuities, and mutual funds. In order to earn the license, candidates must pass FINRA's Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representation Qualification Exam. 

Only applicants sponsored by a FINRA member firm are eligible to take the 135-minute licensing exam, which comprises 100 multiple-choice questions on topics such as tax regulation, securities markets, and customer evaluation. The Series 6 license is awarded to candidates who pass the exam with a score of 70 percent or higher. 

Also known as the Uniform Securities Agent license, the Series 63 license is required of those interested in selling securities within certain states. The Series 63 exam, developed by the North American Securities Administrators Association, is shorter than the Series 6 exam, but is known for including difficult "trick" questions. 

Most US states and territories require anyone with a Series 6 license to also pass the Series 63 exam. However, the requirement is waived in Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and seven US states, including Colorado, Florida, and New Jersey.