Believe it or not, the halcyon home selling days are over! And now you cannot sit at home expecting a sale by just placing a placard saying 'FOR SALE' on your lawn. Real estate market generally slows during the month of July and the existing rates fall by 2.9% and further by 2.7% in August. Houses that could have otherwise been sold within two days, during this slag time remain in the market for about 60 days. This is generally due to the slow demand.

When the real estate market falls and if the list remains in the market then the market is generally considered as

. Slacking

. Softening

. Slumping

. Slowing down

. Falling

These words do not indicate a crunching condition, only slow business deals. So as a seller you have to adjust to the market situation and if you dont then you will get squashed.

Selling in this slack time-

If your circumstances force you to sell your home in this slow market then by just placing an ad on the lawn wont get you any customers. You have got to be aggressive and make your home look like the 'Buy Me' kind. You can also hire an agent or try selling it yourself by using all the strategies. So think of your house as merchandise and try making it look more presentable.

Check your Home appeal

The first impression is generally considered as the last impression, hence see to it that your house has a pleasing appeal and is kept clutter free and clean. Yards have always helped in selling homes. Painting makes a big difference to the home. So try painting or even adding new fittings or just fixing what needs to be mended. Mow the lawn or freshen and trim the concrete pavements. However, ensure that all these remodeling expenses fit into your budget.

Your first presentation- Keep the house clutter free and try removing all your personal stuff like photographs, trophies and souvenirs. Give the buyer the freedom to feel free when he inspects the house. So spruce up the places which a buyer would like to see first, like the kitchen, bathrooms. This is a trick to sell so dont think of it as an investment. If you have already moved out and your house looks empty, you can hire some furniture to give the buyer a good picture. People generally visualize themselves living in the house when they find it comfortable, cozy and attractive.

Adios to the smell

A tough hurdle when it comes to selling is passing the smell test. So keep your house spic and span. If possible keep all the garbage out and dont let anyone smoke inside the house and dont forget to clear all the drains and keep it clog-free.

Hire the right person

Besides improving the house decor, homeowners should be pro-active if they are selling the house themselves or if they wish to hire a realtor then they should choose an experienced person. You can also get some help from the Internet.