How to know when to sell your home
By Gerri Willis
As home prices continue to decline, prospective sellers may be wondering, is now the time to sell, before prices get any lower? Here's excellent advice on how to sell your home in a bad housing market from CNN personal finance editor and author Gerri Willis.
When people say that the housing bubble has burst, does that mean it is a bad time to sell your home? Or should you get out of your home now before it gets worse? Here are a few tips to help you make that decision:
Look at market conditions.
- Timing the prices in a housing market is difficult.
- Unless you really have to sell right now then it is best to probably wait until the economy turns around.
- The number of buyers is down and there is a ton of inventory you will have to compete with.
Determine the right price for your home.
- If you have to sell your home right now, determining the right price will be the most important decision you make.
- You need to look at comparable houses in your area to determine the price.
- The key is to determine what are they selling for per square foot so you can apply it to your own home price.
Stage your home for the sale.
- Staging your house is also very important when selling your home, but you don’t need to hire a stager to do it.
- Start with the exterior and make sure that trees and shrubs are trimmed and the lawn is clean.
- Inside your home you want to neutralize the colors of the walls and remove all of your personal effects.
- You want people looking at your home to see the house as their own.
- Before you put it on the market try to remove one piece of furniture from every room to help it look clean and open.
What if you are selling your home from out of state?
- If you’re moving out of state and you are having a hard time selling your home you might ask your employer if they are willing to take on the cost of your old home.
- Another option is to rent your home out and allow a local manager to take care of it.
Should you hire a real estate agent or sell your house yourself?
- Selling your home on your own can be very tough.
- A professional real estate agent can help you with all the necessary steps and give you advice on the market.
- If you are selling your home without an agent then you should price the home under market value.
- The upside to selling your home on your own is that you can save on the commission rate an agent charges.
Listing your home on the internet
- Utilizing the internet to sell your home is very important whether you are selling it on your own or with an agent.
- Make sure the pictures of your home that you are putting on the web are fabulous.
- You can also make a 360 degree video of your home and you must be sure all the information on your home is current and up to date on the internet.
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Gerri Willis Author and Fox Financial Correspondent Gerri Willis is the host of The Willis Report, a primetime program on Fox Business Network. She's the author of two business books, “The Smart Money Guide to Real Estate Investing” and “Home Rich.” more about this expert »
