Selling a home in a slow economy may be a frightening experience. Just a few years ago, people had many buyers lined up ready to buy at the conclusion of the initial open house. Today, homes can sit with no buyers for 6-24 months without any action. How can you sell in a slow economy and get a better deal?

Your Home Must Stand Apart from the Others

When there are more properties for sale and fewer purchasers, your home must distinguish itself from other houses for sale in your market. This does not mean it has to be the biggest and fanciest; it just needs to be desirable. What does this mean?

Getting Your Home into Shape to Sell

You do not need to invest a lot getting your home ready for sale. However, there are several low cost things you can do to enchance both the perceived value of your home as well as the "curb appeal". How well will your property show to prospective buyers?

Keep it Clean - it is shocking that many people wish to show a messy home.

Keep it Uncluttered - the more jammed in it appears, the smaller it looks. It makes the purchaser wonder if the rooms in the house are too small. It also doesn't look well kept.

Fresh Coats of Paint - if you have rooms in the house that look dated, paint on the walls that are faded or paint that is chipped, spend a fre days repainting parts of your house that need it.

Straighten Up the Yard - your front yard and backyard is where a prospective home buyer wants to imaginethemselves throwing BBQs and putting up swing sets. They don't wish to see old mattresses, ruined rusty lawn furniture or an old fixer upper that you are really truly planning finish putting back together someday.

For a deeper list of improvements, see www.HomeBuyersGuide.com/ImprovingYourHome.cfm

Remember - Selling Your House is Not Just About the Cost

Selling homes is not just about cost. It is about emotion and perception. If people don't love your house, they won't buy it. If they think it has been neglected, they won't purchase it. If they don't really like it a lot, they won't offer the cost you are asking for it.