Dec

Secrets For Selling Your House In A Down Market

By emily

If you are selling your house this year, you may be nervous about the state of the real estate market where you live and wondering whether selling your house in a down market even makes sense. It may or may not make sense for you. There are a number of things you may want to consider such as whether you WANT to sell or NEED to sell, how “down” the market is in your area (all real estate trends are local, so listening to the national news won’t help you) and whether the market is likely to recover in the near future.

As a real estate agent and investor, I can tell you lots of secrets for selling your house, but at the end of the day, you have to sell for “market price” and if you’re not willing to accept what the market tells you is the current value of your home, then you could be facing the prospect of holding the home for a long time.

Selling Your House

I would like to officially make an announcement. Regardless of what folks have told you in the past, dismissing a lot of the hoopla you’ve heard on television, selling your house can really stink. Okay, before you get all down in the dumps or pull your humble abode off the market, please allow me to elaborate. I have sold a home in the past, and I’m currently trying to sell one right now. Let me tell you, there is a great deal of work involved. No, I’m not just talking about moving all your stuff out and into another home. Although, that part of moving is really nasty as well. What I’m referring to is the constant cleaning, the leaving when someone wants to traipse through your home with their muddy shoes, and of course the realtor fees. Those can really get on your nerves when all is said and done.

Here it goes; you’re currently considering selling your house. Stop for a moment! Let’s re-examine the situation. Interest rates are NOT in your favor at this time. Hence the 12 other homes in my neighborhood alone. People are settling for horrible prices just to get their houses sold. So if you don’t particularly need to sell your home at this time, I’d advise against it. You’ll get more later down the road. Give the market some time. The vicious cycle will end as it always does. And when rates are back to normal, you can slap that home on the market with pride and know you’re going to make a profit.

Some of us have to sell our homes this very moment. For those of you who do, like me, I highly suggest routine touch-ups. Scrutinize every room in the house and see what you can do to make it look more marketable. Selling your house is work! You have to be better than the next guy. Keep it looking pristine for potential buyers. Store personal effects that potential buyers hate to see. Be sure you’ve chosen neutral wall colors that appeal to most individuals and families. This is imperative because many people can’t see past these things. Selling your house is mostly based on presentation. Oh, and don’t forget to spruce-up that curb appeal prior to sticking that “for sale” sign in the front lawn.

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