By Stephen Daniels

The news headlines recently are full of depressing news about the housing market. The market is beginning to improve, so apparently some people are successfully marketing their homes! Here are some basic guidelines for selling your home in a buyers' market.

After deciding to sell your house, you will very likely want to find the right real estate broker to help market and sell your home. A reputable agent knows the local housing market very well. Hopefully he/she has been working for a substantial period in your area, understands what sells and why, and networks with local people and businesses to get their listings sold.

A good licensed real estate agent will have numerous marketing strategies to get your home sold in their bag of tricks. Other than word of mouth, they will likely utilize newspaper ads, fliers, and most importantly, the internet, specifically the Multiple Listing Service. More and more home shoppers are going online to comparison shop before they even drive around, so it is vital that your agent not only list your home on the Multiple Listing Service, at the very least, but also provide photos and perhaps videos of your home to entice buyers inside.

Once you decide on a local agent to work with, it is now critical to get your home in show-worthy condition. Your agent will give you tips on what you can do to make your home appealing, but there are some specific things you definitely should do that will get you the most money and sell your home more quickly:

Clean, clean, and clean some more. A dirty home is very hard to sell. And, your clutter can cost you money and bargaining power in this type of competitive marketplace. If your home is dirty, a buyer will think you probably don't take care of it. A home should appear inviting. Atmosphere is everything for most potential home buyers.

Store your clutter. Put half of your personal items in storage. You want your home to look like a model home, which means no personal pictures or personal care items that make people uncomfortable. You want them to envision themselves in the house; not you and your family. This is especially important in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom where space is important.

Freshen up with paint. This is an relatively inexpensive and a not too difficult way to make your home more attractive. Neutral colors are best.

Curb appeal. Stand outside your home and try to imagine how your home looks to a total stranger. Overgrown plants, poorly kept lawns, trash, debris, even children's toys should be removed or put away. The exterior of your house needs to appear maintained if you want your house to appear inviting. Consider adding flower pots for color if you are listing your home during the growing season.

Home Staging. Professional home stagers make sure that a home appears clean, uncluttered, and visually ready for a buyer to picture themselves in your house. Why not check out a book from the library, or watch one of the home staging shows on TV for some tips on how to stage your home?

Remember that selling your home in a competitive market is possible...it just takes effort and determination on your part!

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