Many of you reading this article can relate to what’s happening (or not happening) in the home resale market. Over the past months we’ve met with many new customers who are ready to start the building process if only they could sell their home.

The July 16, 2008, Wall Street Journal Money Matters article titled How to Sell a House When You Have to Sell It Now, is a good place to start.

The good news is most customers we’ve met have the flexibility to wait it out, but most are unhappy postponing the beginning of their new life on Lake Greenwood. Whether you do or don’t have to sell it now, the article made some good points. I’ve selected a few of their ideas, and added a few of my own that may help jump start the process and get you in your next home sooner.

• If you want your place sold, put it up for sale. Sitting out the market hoping that hanging on the sidelines will improve prices and your chances of selling success won’t work.
• Your home must make a good first impression. If you haven’t seen the HGTV programs "Designed to Sell," "Getting it Sold" or the brand new segment, "The Stagers," you should. Each show illustrates how to get your home ready for sale with little or no spending. Your home needs to be in good repair, with neutral paint, "spruced up," de-cluttered and roomy.
• Price it for today’s value. Set a reasonable, salable price on Day One - not what it was worth or should be worth.
• Hire a top real estate agent. Hire the best, not the cheapest. Make sure their marketing plan includes more than the MLS listing, a few open houses and a sign in the yard. Offer bonuses for offers received and closed by a certain date.
• Promote-Promote-Promote. Consider photo listings in regional and national publications. Make sure your house is on the following Web-sites: Trulia, Zillow, Cyberhomes, Eppraisal and Realtor.com and on e-bay and Craig’s list. Be creative in bringing attention to your home in any way you can.
• Play the Banker. We’re in a tight credit market and banks have the Federal Reserve watching their every move. Your strongest selling point could possibly be financing some of the buyer’s purchase, likely at a higher rate and higher sale price. The worst case scenario would be that the buyer defaults and you have to sell it again.
• Take the Offer. Negotiate, of course, but don’t blow the deal over a small amount if it’s close to being acceptable.

Sure wish it could be easier. In the meantime, we’re here to help you in any way to be ready for the day when you call us and say, "It’s SOLD!"

For more information, the Wall Street Journal has a video on-line at www.wsj.com/reports titled "How to Sell in a Tough Real Estate Market."