Get Your House Ready to Sell on a Budget

So you made the decision to put your house on the market.  If you have never sold your house before it can be a confusing and daunting task.  Below is some advice on how to put your house in the best light possible and increase the likelihood that it sells not only quickly but closer to your asking price.  This article will also show how to do this on a budget.

First you need to contact a realtor.  I have know several people that have gone the For Sale by Owner route to save on paying commissions, but a GOOD realtor is well worth the price you pay.  How do I pick out a good realtor from the hundreds that I see in ads, you may ask?  The answer is to do your research.  Get someone who has been in the business for a while since there is no replacement for experience.  Also, look for someone who has gotten industry awards (usually given out for number of listings and dollars sold).  Ask your friends and neighbors as well.  Find out what they thought about their realtor.  Since you will be hiring this person, conduct some interviews, get to know the person you will be working with.  Some important things to consider are the types of markets they specialize in, how long have they lived in the area, what percentage of commission do they charge, and how do they plan to market your house.  A good realtor will also be able to advise you on asking price, market conditions and what to include with your home.  When dealing with your chosen realtor, keep an open mind toward the pricing of your home.  Home values, for the most part are less than what they were two or three years ago.  Once you agree on an asking price ask your realtor to show you some homes in your area that have sold and are on the market in the same range as your asking price.  What sets your house apart from them?  Take note of what you like or don’t like about them.  Look as though you were in the market for a house in that price range.  The key to this is to be realistic about the pros and cons of your house compared to the rest of the market.  I would also recommend that you stay away from friends and family unless they meet the same criteria you set forth for any other realtor.  Selling your house is a business decision and should be approached as such.  Just because your cousin got his/her license last month and is really nice does not make them a professional.  This can be a tough conversation for anyone, but it doesn’t have to be, as long as you are upfront about it.  Just explain to your friend or relative that you feel like it’s in your best interest to go with some one that has been in the business longer and the next time you sell a house (if they are still in real estate and doing well) you will defiantly give them a shot.  You can also say that your relationship is very important to you and should things go wrong, you don’t want to ruin something that special over a business deal.