How to Sell Your House When the Market is Bad

Selling a house in today's market takes ingenuity and sacrifice. The question is how bad do you want to sell your house, and how much is it costing you each month to keep your house? When you find the answer to those two questions, then you are ready to sell your house.

Instructions

1. First and foremost, are you willing to let your house go for less than you expected? This is the toughest question, but it's the question that must be answered. How much are you willing to sell it for because in today's market, you may have to take a loss.

2. Research what houses similar to yours are selling for. Then, to make your house more attractive, you must under price the other houses. It doesn't have to be by much, but it needs to be enough for people to notice. Remember, financial institutions are not lending money as easily as in the past, and many banks require larger down payments. This makes it tough for the buyer as well as the seller.

3. What can you do to your house to make it a more attractive choice besides the price? Are you willing to pay some of the closing costs? In today's market, closing costs are expensive for the buyer. If you are willing to take on some of that burden, it will make your house more attractive.

4. 

   Before you put your house on the market, rent a storage unit and remove up to half of your furniture and personal belongings. The idea is to make the house look spacious and uncluttered. Remove items from the kitchen counter except for the coffee maker. Decorate with few items that are large and impressive. Put away all the knick knacks. Remove items from the walls except for a few pictures. Keep the bathroom counters clear. Work on the basement and the garage. If you allow your stuff to be piled around, it's telling potential buyers that there is not enough storage space for the average person.

5. 

   Open up the curtains and blinds and turn on the lights before anyone arrives to view the house. You want the house to have plenty of light. Make the entrance way attractive with a few hanging plants and remove all coats, shoes, and hats etc. You want a good impression as the people enter the home.

6. 

   Keep the lawns mowed and shrubs trimmed. The outside of your house is the first thing potential buyers see. Make it attractive.

7. 

   Have you ever been to an open house and someone is baking cookies, cake, or bread? The sense of smell is powerful. If you're not up to cooking, spray a soft air freshener throughout.

8. 

   Now all of this advice does not include who is selling your house. Do you opt for a realtor or do it yourself? I have sold a few houses and my own personal experience has been, get a realtor. Now, for some this may not be the way to go because you are adding the expense of a commission. I just feel that a realtor can do a better job than I can. If you decide on a realtor, do the research first. Who is selling houses? Drive around and see what realty signs are more popular. Ask people who have sold houses. Who worked hardest for them?

9. Selling a house in today's market is tough, but you can do it if you are willing to make a few sacrifices. Are you willing to let the house sell for less than you expected? Can you afford to hold onto the house until the market improves? What will it cost you to wait? If you choose to sell, you must make your house more attractive than others. Lower the price, get rid of the clutter, be willing to pay part of the closing, and stage your house for that buyer who walks through the door and says, "Wow".