Selling your home is no easy feat, especially with the real estate crisis as it now. Buyers know what they want and how much they can spend. Sellers know what they want and how much they need to make. Getting buyers and sellers to agree is the key. There are several things that you can do so selling your home does not turn into your own personal real estate crisis.

The price must be right. Bob Barker has been saying it for years and it is still true, especially concerning real estate. If you are using a reputable realtor, listen to their suggestions on price. In addition, do your own research. As if you were selling your home on your own, check out the homes in your area that are comparable to your home. Have a high asking price and be willing to come down or start low and hope for a bidding war? That depends on the market in your area. Look around and see what other sellers are doing and follow suit.

Get your house in the best possible condition before you put it up for sale. Make sure everything works - heating and air conditioning, plumbing, electrical (including outlets and switches), and the roof is sound. If you are on a tight budget (like most of the world), do the best that you can with the money you have. What repairs you can afford to make, be sure they are done properly. Do not have a lot of repairs made that are not done correctly. Buyers prefer quality over quantity.

Curb appeal can make or break a real estate deal. Make sure your yard (front and back) are well-maintained. Mow the grass; add a few flowers or shrubs. Paint the exterior, if needed. Take care of the driveway and walk ways; clean any stains and spills, repair any cracks and rough spots. Simple things such as a mailbox in disrepair and dead plants can send a potential buyer packing before they even walk in your door.

Once the prospective buyer is inside, make sure they see a clean and de-cluttered home. This is no time for tripping over children's toys, pets and finding every imaginable appliance on counters. Dusting, vacuuming, and mopping are musts. Clean as if your overly-critical mother-in-law is coming to visit. You know how she opens the cabinets and the closets, looking for anything to complain about. People looking for a house to buy will do the same thing. If they see dirt and clutter, they won't complain like she would; they just won't buy.

Neutral and defined rooms are also important. Your pre-teen daughter's Hannah Montana bedroom is almost as cute as she is, but not to the teen-age son of a prospective buyer. Neutral paint colors work best for everyone, as does neutral flooring. Painting over bold and dark colors will make your home more appealing to more people and seem larger. Rooms that do not clearly have a purpose can confuse a buyer and make them think the home is smaller than it actually is. Having a computer in the kitchen may be handy, but it when your house is on the market, it should be moved. Combining a guest room and an office is one of the few exceptions to having the rooms clearly defined. Buyers may only need a guest room and not a computer room or vice versa and showing the versatility and space of this one room can be a bonus.

Buyers and sellers both have needs to be met. In today's market, everyone being happy can be quite the challenge. By following these few simple suggestions, the buyer can get the home that they need and want. You, the seller, can the price you that want and need.

Learn more about this author, Emma Riley Sutton.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Simple tips for preparing your house for sale?
We want to hear your view. Write now!