1. Choose a home over an apartment or condominium

It is much better to get a house that is standing in an open lot than a condo unit or apartment mainly because of space issues.  If you want a home, now is the right time for the rates of interest are at its lowest.

 

2. A good location

Make sure that you get a property that has a strategic location, meaning, it is accessible and near some major facilities in the community.  The location is really more important than the size of the property.

 

3. Your credit score

Before begin transacting with a real estate agent, you must see to it that you have a pleasant credit score just to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted transaction.

 

4. Your budget

 

Determine how much money you can spend for your home.  By setting a budget, you will be able to reduce your home options.  But before you begin your search, it would be nice if you already have a pre-approved mortgage.

 

5. Look for homes beyond city limits

 

When looking for a home, do not confine yourself in cities, but rather, check out properties that are for sale in other developed places.  More often than not, the properties are bigger and more ideal for families.

 

For Sellers

 

1. The value for your home

You need to know the exact value of your property basing it on the current market condition.  You can also determine it by comparing it to other properties that are also for sale within the vicinity.

 

2. Believe in the power of advertising

You will be able to sell your property faster if you have it advertised.  You can either advertise it over the Internet or on the classified ads section of the local newspaper.

 

3. Try to make the property look like new

When selling a house, the most important factor that all buyers look into is its internal and external condition.  See to it that all necessary repairs have been made.  You also have to refurbish your home if you have to.

 

4. Shorten closing dates through negotiation

If suddenly you have a sure buyer and you still can’t occupy the home where you’ll move in because the closing date is still few months ahead, you can ask the mortgagor to shorten it, and this, oftentimes, have positive results.

 

Make Your Home "Anonymous"

 

If there is a new home sales tract near your home, go visit. It doesn't matter what size the homes are. What you will find are some wonderfully (but sparsely) furnished homes that anyone could live in -- with the emphasis on "anyone." They are anonymous. There may be a baseball glove in the boy's room, but no family photos on the walls.

 

There may be "personality" - but no person.

 

The reason you want to make your home "anonymous" is because you want buyers to view it as their potential home. When a potential homebuyer sees your family photos hanging on the wall, it puts your own brand on the home and momentarily shatters their illusions about living in the house themselves.

 

Put away family photos, sports trophies, collectible items, knick-knacks, and souvenirs. Put them in a box. Rent a storage area for a few months and put

 

Getting the House Ready to Sell

Uncluttering the House

This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it.

 

Clutter collects on shelves, counter tops, drawers, closets, garages, attics, and basements.  You want as much open clear space as possible, so every extra little thing needs to be cleared away.

 

Take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas of clutter, as long as you can accept their views without getting defensive. Let your agent help you, too.

 

House Interiors

 

Do not do anything expensive, such as remodeling. If possible, use savings to pay for any repairs and improvements – do not go charging up credit cards or obtaining new loans. Remember that part of selling a house is also preparing to buy your next home. You do not want to do anything that will affect your credit scores or hurt your ability to qualify for your next mortgage.

 

Plumbing and Fixtures

 

When looking at a house, prospective home buyers often do not really know what to do. So they play with things. They flick light switches. They open everything with a handle. They turn on all the faucets and flush all the toilets. Having nice shiny fixtures makes an impression.

 

All your sink fixtures should look shiny and new. If this cannot be accomplished by cleaning, buy new ones. If you don’t buy something fancy, this can be accomplished inexpensively. Make sure all the hot and cold water knobs are easy to turn and that the faucets do not leak. If they do, replace the washers.

 

It sounds like hard work, but it's pretty easy -- even for the inexperienced.

 

Check to make sure you have good water pressure and that there are no stains on any of the porcelain. If you have a difficult stain to remove, one trick is to hire a cleaning crew to go through and clean your home on a one-time basis. They seem to be wonderful at making stains go away.

 

Costs of Repairs

Do not do anything expensive, such as remodeling. If possible, use savings to pay for any repairs and improvements – do not go charging up credit cards or obtaining new loans. Remember that part of selling a house is also preparing to buy your next home. You do not want to do anything that will affect your credit scores or hurt your ability to qualify for your next mortgage.

 

When looking at a house, prospective home buyers often do not really know what to do. So they play with things. They flick light switches. They open everything with a handle. They turn on all the faucets and flush all the toilets. Having nice shiny fixtures makes an impression.

 

All your sink fixtures should look shiny and new. If this cannot be accomplished by cleaning, buy new ones. If you don’t buy something fancy, this can be accomplished inexpensively. Make sure all the hot and cold water knobs are easy to turn and that the faucets do not leak. If they do, replace the washers.

 

It sounds like hard work, but it's pretty easy -- even for the inexperienced.

 

Check to make sure you have good water pressure and that there are no stains on any of the porcelain. If you have a difficult stain to remove, one trick is to hire a cleaning crew to go through and clean your home on a one-time basis. They seem to be wonderful at making stains go away

 

 

Odor Control

For those who smoke, you might want to minimize smoking indoors while trying to sell your home. Actually, it is best to move smoking outside.  You could also purchase an ozone spray that helps to remove odors without creating a masking odor.

 

Apologies to pet owners, but pets come with odors.  You may have become used to them, but they are immediately noticeable to those with more finely tuned olfactory senses.

 

For those with cats, be sure to empty kitty litter boxes daily and use plenty of baking soda.  For dog owners, keep the dog outdoors as much as possible, even those adorable lovable little dogs. You might also try sprinkling carpet freshener on the carpet on a periodic basis.

 

The Exterior of the House

 

Most real estate advice tells you to work on the outside of the house first, but unless there is a major project involved, it is probably best to save it for last. There are two main reasons for this. First, the first steps in preparing the interior of the house are easier. They also help develop the proper mind set required for selling - beginning to think of your "home" as a marketable commodity. Second, the exterior is the most important.

 

A homebuyer’s first impression is based on his or her view of the house from the real estate agent’s car.  They call that first impression "curb appeal."

 

So take a walk across the street and take a good look at your house. Look at nearby houses, too, and see how yours compares.  Then it may be time to go to work.

 

Landscaping

 

Is your landscaping at least average for the neighborhood? If it is not, buy a few bushes and plant them. Do not put in trees. Mature trees are expensive, and you will not get back your investment. Also, immature trees do not really add much to the appearance value of the home.

 

If you have an area for flowers, buy mature colorful flowers and plant them. They add a splash of vibrancy and color, creating a favorable first impression. Do not buy bulbs or seeds and plant them. They will not mature fast enough to create the desired effect and you certainly don’t want a patch of brown earth for homebuyers to view.

 

Your lawn should be evenly cut, freshly edged, well watered, and free of brown spots. If there are problems with your lawn, you should probably take care of them before working on the inside of your home. This is because certain areas may need to be re-sod, and you want to give it a chance to grow so that re-sod areas are not immediately apparent. Plus, you might want to give fertilizer enough time to be effective.

 

Always rake up loose leaves and grass cuttings.

 

House Exterior

The big decision is whether to paint or not to paint. When you look at your house from across the street, does it look tired and faded? If so, a paint job may be in order. It is often a very good investment and really spruces up the appearance of a house, adding dollars to offers from potential homebuyers.

 

When choosing a color, it should not be something garish and unusual, but a color that fits well in your neighborhood. Of course, the color also depends on the style of your house, too. For some reason, different shades of yellow seem to illicit the best response in homebuyers, whether it is in the trim or the basic color of the house.

 

As for the roof, if you know your roof leaks, repair it.  If you do not repair a leaky roof, you are going to have to disclose it and the buyer will want an entire new roof.  If you know your roof leaks and you don't repair it and don't disclose it, look forward to hearing from lawyers at some point in the future.

 

Otherwise, wait and see what the home inspector says. Why spend money unnecessarily?

 

The Back Yard

 

The back yard should be tidy. If you have a pool or spa, keep it freshly maintained and constantly cleaned. For those that have dogs, be sure to constantly keep the area clear of "debris." If you have swing sets or anything elaborate for your kids, it probably makes more sense to remove them than to leave them in place. They take up room, and you want your back yard to appear as spacious as possible, especially in newer homes where the yards are not as large.

 

The Front Door & Entryway

The front door should be especially sharp, since it is the entryway into the house. Polish the door fixture so it gleams. If the door needs refinishing or repainting, make sure to get that done.

 

If you have a cute little plaque or shingle with your family name on it, remove it. Even if it is just on the mailbox. You can always put it up again once you move. Get a new plush door mat, too. This is something else you can take with you once you move.

 

Make sure the lock works easily and the key fits properly. When a homebuyer comes to visit your home, the agent uses the key from the lock box to unlock the door. If there is trouble working the lock while everyone else stands around twiddling their thumbs, this sends a negative first