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The housing market here in my part of the country normalizing since the surge that occurred a couple of years ago. Inventory is relatively high, prices are where they should be and people are buying. Unfortunately a lot of sellers are still reminiscing about the times when their neighbors were able to sell their homes thousands above appraisal without the help of an agent. They have dreams of not only selling their houses for more than they're actually worth, but to also save on brokerage fees. The reality is that we just don't live in that kind of market anymore.

On the other hand, many potential sellers are afraid to try to sell their homes at all because we are more into a "buyer's market" now. While this may be true, we have not slowed down so much that it is a real problem. Conversely, this is a good thing. What contributes to this being a buyer's market are low interest rates which will make people more likely to by now, and larger inventory which takes some of the frustration out of buying.

Here are some things to consider when selling your home. Think about this when deciding whether or not to go with an agent:

1. Do you have time to show your house?
This is especially important if your house is vacant. If someone wants to look at your house at 12 in the afternoon, are you going to be able to get the time off from work to show it? It is an agent's job to do just that. Do you have a lock box on your door so that other agents can show their clients your house? A lock box distributed by a Realtor's Association is safer because you can always find out who came to your house. Without a lock box, or an agent on call to show your house, you are isolating numerous potential buyers!

2. Who knows your house is for sale?
Keep these things in mind: Agents don't go to FSBO.com to look for houses. If your house isn't in the MLS you are isolating buyers who use agents. If you tell an agent that you will give them 3% if they bring them a buyer, don't expect to see that agent again. If that agent has 10 clients that they working with, they probably won't remember your house. They don't need to remember. That's what the MLS is for. If your house isn't there, it will probably be forgotten.
Do you have a little sign on the side of the road pointing in the general direction of your house? Can it be seen from a car window going 25-35 mph?

3.How much are you spending on advertising and how long are you willing to do it?
If an agent lists your house, all of the advertising that

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