Selling a home in a slow economy may be a frightening experience. Just a few years ago, people had many buyers lined up ready to buy at the conclusion of the initial open house. Today, homes can sit with no buyers for 6-24 months without any action. How can you sell in a slow economy and get a better deal?

Your Home Must Stand Apart from the Others

When there are more houses for sale and fewer purchasers, your home must distinguish itself from other houses for sale in your market. This does not mean it has to be the ultimate mansion; it just needs to be desirable. What does this mean?

Getting Your Home into Shape to Sell

You do not need to invest a lot getting your home ready for sale. However, there are several low cost things you can do to enchance both the perceived value of your home as well as the “curb appeal”. How well will your property show to prospective buyers?

Keep The Property Clean - it is amazing that several people want to show a messy home.

Keep it Uncluttered - the more jammed in it appears, the smaller it looks. It makes the purchaser wonder if the rooms in the house are too small. It also doesn’t look well kept.

Fresh Painting - if you have rooms that look dated, walls that are faded or paint that is chipped, spend a weekend or two repainting parts of your house that need it.

Clean the Property - your front yard and backyard is where a prospective purchaser wants to seethemselves holding family events and putting up swing sets. They don’t wish to see old mattresses, ruined rusty lawn furniture or an old fixer upper that you are really truly walking in to finish rebuilding someday.

For a deeper list of tips, see www.HomeBuyersGuide.com/ImprovingYourHome.cfm

Remember - Selling Your Real Estate is Not Just About the Asking Price

Selling residential real estate is not just about price. It is about emotion and perception. If potential purchasers don’t like your house, they won’t buy it. If they feel it has not taken care of, they won’t buy it. If they don’t really like it a lot, they won’t offer the price you seeking.