While it certainly isnt the best time to sell, some of you are forced to sell. Whether its because youre relocating, payments are forcing you to downscale, or perhaps youre among the lucky few who are even buying up, it is still possible to sell in a market with as many as a million more homes for sale than is internationally average. Heres a few ideas for sellers trying to attract a buyer in this flooded housing market.



Prepare your home so that it looks great. When there are twenty of the same type of home in similar neighbourhoods, you need to make yours stand out. Read up on home staging tips, look around at what else is for sale, and then get your house into shape. Doing extensive cleaning, clearing out cluttering possessions, and probably making a few minor repairs.

Consider getting some of the common inspections buyers like to do done before you even put the house up for sale. Then youll know what your home needs, if anything, and can do the work so the buyer doesnt have to. The fewer outstanding flaws, the more reason a buyer has to pick your home over the next one in line.

If a buyer can move in immediately without needing to do anything, they will probably consider it. A small investment involved in getting your home ready will pay off in a faster sale, and ideally, a higher offer than if you sold the home as is.

Be prepared to wait a little longer. Homes in a market like this rarely sell fast. Unless your home is somehow outstanding, or youre offering it at an exceptionally low price, expect it to be on the market for at least three months. This is just an estimate, but dont hope to have a buyer within a week. Also, realize that waiting until the market is better will mean you will get more for your home, but that could take a couple of years.

However, if you need to move now, theres nothing you can do except accept what fate has dealt you. No matter what, now is not the time to expect top dollar, no matter where you live, and pricing at last years rates will only mean youll be sitting on your home for a long, long time.

But take heart, because smart buyers know that nows a good time to buy. Prices are low, and some buyers will be eligible for tax breaks. Plus, the markets bound to get better. Some experts estimate that things should be turned around within the year, and some parts of the country are already seeing a small, increase in market prices already. However small, it is a sign that things are looking up. So anyone buying now should be seeing good equity within a few years. See, theres a silver lining to every grey cloud.

Christian Jacobsen at Utah Property Finder has an extensive list of available Utah real estate listings where you can acquaint yourself with great investment opportunities.