Setting The Price For Your Home

Do your homework - your home will sell based on the most recent comparable sales in your neighborhood. Unless your home is outstandingly unique for your area, comparable sales should be the number one factor in pricing your home.

Clean, clean, and clean more

Foul odors, dirty bathrooms, and cob-webbed ceilings are big turn-offs for buyers. You don't even see the things in your home that others may see as dirty. Have a friend or acquantance do a walk-through for you.

Visit Open Houses

There's nothing like seeing a sale-ready home of a neighbor to let you compare your home. Visit similar homes, and pay special attention to staging, the type and amount of furniture, and decoration.

Picking a Real Estate Broker

Almost two out of every three people who sell their homes themselves say they wouldn't do it again a second time. The amount of work involved, including pricing, open houses, negotiations, contracts, and lack of exposure lead them to use a professional the next time around.

Not all agents are Realtors, and not all Realtors are Brokers. Choose an agent with the experience, knowledge, and integrity of a Real Estate Broker, who is a member of the National Association of Realtors.

Remove Your Personal Items

Your potential buyers must be able to see themselves in your home. Your family photos, your sponge-painted orange wall, and your doggy bed - they all have to go. You may find it boring, but your home should be a blank slate for the new buyers' lives. A bit of style is great, but YOUR style may not be. Neutral is always best.

Take all offers as a positive sign

Buyers are not trying to offend you. Their offer says nothing about what they think about your home or you. They like your home, they just want to get a good deal. You can turn a low offer into a well-negotiated sale price. Treat it as a transaction, not an analysis of your life or lifestyle.