Thinking About Selling Your Home

Owning a home is the original American dream. It's the old frontier spirit, wanting to claim your own tuft of the New World. Then again, these days it also makes good economic sense. Experts estimate that all homes in the U.S. alone are worth a combined 14 bilioner U.S. dollars. There is a long way to explain why a housing boom has been sweeping the globe.

Where there is a boom, however, there may be a bust. Read any headline from your local newspaper and you see headlines like "Bye-Bye to" Residential Housing Boom Boom "is Leveling Off." Some economic forecasts predict a bubble that may be about to burst. They make you ask: I am running?

Whether you're looking to cash in on this real estate bubble before it pops, or simply wish to move to a bigger home or move across the country-selling your home may be more a nightmare than a dream. Not only do you have to find and trust an estate agent. You need to prep your home for open houses. You have to bargain with potential buyers. Not to mention, you have to worry about the movement and sale of all your valuables.

It's almost enough to make you want to live in a home for the rest of your life, just as people did in your grandparents days. Then again, your home is worth a percentage of that 14 bilioner U.S. dollars. Do not you want to see how much?

As hectic and horrible as selling a house may seem, it's really not so bad if you break it down into a few simple rules. If you do not believe us, read the rules for yourself.

Mollycoddle facade. Your home's future owners do not want to worry about repairs and renovations as soon as they move in. So make certain they are not. Be sure to have your home immaculately clean before you invite prospective buyers over. Redecorate if your interior is outdated. And invest in minor renovations if necessary. You will be surprised what a coat of paint can do.

Focus on the fine detail. Potential buyers will leave no stone unturned when they visit your home. They will test every light switch, run every faucet, and lift up every toilet seat. Everything and we mean everything, must be in working order before your open house.

Double check for blown out light bulbs and leaky faucets. Scrub the bathroom and clean up any ring around the bowl, tank foam, and any other nasty surprise.

Do not settle for MAYBES on safety. Ensure that there is no safety risk whatsoever on your property. Something as small as uncovered electrical sockets or as large as an unfenced pool can scare buyers, especially parents with small children.

Create a soothing atmosphere seller. Imagine the last time you visited a bed and breakfast. Your home should be as welcoming and accommodating as this. An easy way to accomplish this is up brighter place. Turn all your lights for your visitors. Plus, fluff up your bedroom. After all, like most people in the bedroom to be the most comfortable place in the house. Make sure it is in any case, when buyers are around.

Clear common. Together with the final rule, there are real estate practice to leave the premises when buyers come for tours. This is done with good reason. Buyers have to evaluate your home does not meet your sisters, sons, cousins, and cats. So send your family to the mall for a day of shopping, or in the park for a picnic.

Cut the clutter. All your stuff can get in the way, too. Therefore it is important to begin to package and store your personal belongings as soon as you know you want to move. An empty house is a cleaner looking house is a more attractive house. You do not want your perspective buyer opening a closet and a bowling ball fall on your head, do you?

Make a killing on said clutter. One option is to simply move your personal items to your new home and create instant clutter there. That is the way of the pack rat. Or you could sell what you no longer need and turn a quick profit. How is the fat cat.

If you choose wisely-the latter option, be sure not to hold your garage sale on the same days as your open houses. Neighbors in their undershirts and jeans on your front lawn makes for a great sales ploy. Instead, it makes you look desperate and could hurt you come negotiations. Schedule your yard sale on different days.

Better yet, sell your products online. Restricted sites allow you to negotiate with potential buyers, getting the best prices for your stuff and send it out at your own convenience. And it's all on your own time, inside your own home (where you can wear your undershirt and jeans and nobody will care).

Take a deep breath. Finally, never leave home-selling experience overwhelm you. Sure, there are a load of responsibility to take care of. But it is what your real estate agent is there. They handle all of the grunt work. They make too hard to talk to the buyer. They do all the follow-up calls. And they show your home for you. Your job is simply to smile, be polite, and answer buyer's questions if they come up.